City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) Review















Author: Cassandra Clare 
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (March 24, 2009)
Language: English
Series Status: Trilogy


Summary:
With her mother in a coma and her father hell-bent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged deeper into New York’s terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters.
Discovering the truth about her past was only the beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary’s shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

Review:
City of Ashes is the second book in Cassandra Clare’s young adult (YA) Mortal Instruments trilogy.  The first book, City of Bones, introduced readers to the hidden world of the Shadowhunters as seen through the eyes of Clary Fray when her secret Shadowhunter heritage finally catches up with her.  Events in City of Ashes take place directly after where the story in City of Bones finishes and if you haven’t already read City of Bones I would recommend reading it first, rather than starting with City of Ashes since it’s not really a story that a reader can drop straight into.

Like I have mentioned in the first Mortal Instrument Series, the only thing I have a problem with is just the pacing. It just seems as if in the first two or three chapters, the story is slow, but it begins to pick up straight after that. And I think it stays in good action well enough for me to continue reading. Again, like before, City of Ashes is told in the 3rd person perspective of Clary Fray, and it works well than the 1st person point of view.

The relationship between Clary and Jace are forbidden, due to their incestuous attraction, they still cant seem to stay away from each other. This is such taboo, because in America's society, this is...illegal, taboo, and very looked down upon because..it doesn't really happen in real life, and if it does, it's secret. And that's what Clary and Jace are trying to do, keep it both secret, no matter how attracted they are to each other. Not only this, but it is known that most of hte cast in the novel knows...or is suspicious about it. But not only this, but she still has feelings for Simon (who knew?)
I just kept thinking to myself if it's really true or not, that they are really brother and sister.
I still found myself laughing and chuckling at the humor one liners, rolling my eyes at the character's stubbornness and stupidity when bad things go down and they make silly decisions. 

We see a few new characters in the novel, some of them I hate (The Inquisitor , Maia, and others.  But in conclusion, if you liked City of Bones, you'll be wanting to read City of Ashes--and the future books afterwards!

So, I would give it a 4.5/5 Stars.