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Guests | October 15, 2009

Michelle Wildgen: IMG A Few Initial and Not-Comprehensive Meditations on Group Novels

1 comment By Michelle Wildgen

I am a sucker for a book about a group. What reminded me of this was Joanna Smith Rakoff's A Fortunate Age, her homage to Mary McCarthy's endlessly re-readable... Continue »
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Other titles in the Mortal Instruments series:

  1. City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)
  2. Literacy Bridge Young Adult #1: City of Bones
  3. City of Glass (Mortal Instruments #03)

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #02)

by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #02) Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

Review:

"A gorgeous fantasy that's so good, it's dangerous." Holly Black

Review:

"Readers of urban fantasy will devour this deliciously overwrought adventure." Kirkus Reviews
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
The Book Resort, September 29, 2009 (view all comments by The Book Resort)
City of Ashes is the 2nd installment in Cassandra Clare's enticing young adult Mortal Instruments trilogy.

City of Ashes picks up where City of Bones ends.


Warning: If you haven't already read City of Bones, I highly suggest reading it first, rather than starting with City of Ashes since it's not really a story that is considered a stand-alone.


I will do my best not to pepper this review w/ spoilers because I don't think it is fair to ruin your reading pleasure.


City of Ashes kicks off like the fireworks during a Macy's 4th of July celebration! Clare grabs hold of you & pulls you into the whirlwind supernatural adventure that is this astounding read.


Clare delivers City of Ashes in 3rd person but is mostly from the delightful & empowering Clary's perspective. Clare does a phenomenal job showcasing Clary's perplexity @ all that is going on around her Shadowhunter sphere.


Let me warn you, City of Ashes is an enthralling read & you will be hard pressed to put it down. Simply, Clare's Mortal Instruments Series reads like an epic flick ~ electrifying!

What I love about Clare's writing is the delectable vibrancy sprinkled through out this fetching novel. City of Bones is stuffed w/ explosive action, dripping w/ topnotch tension & juicy goodness. The world of the Shadowhunters is charged w/ titillating nuggets that is not just breathtaking but makes your head spin.


Clary's bff, Simon, definitely is one riveting member in this launching. He really did shatter the mold. Clare took the term "bring it" for the intriguing Simon & certainly did.


The brother & sister Shadowhunter team , Alec & Isabelle are utterly enthralling. I truly enjoy reading about them.

Magnus Bane is a mesmerizing player & one of my faves.


Now, I will address the pink elephant in the room by saying everything isn't always what it seems (thank you, Cassandra).


I have to be honest, the incestuous tones between Clary & Jace made my stomach roil & my skin crawl but things aren't always what they seem.


Hurry up & grab a copy of City of Ashes!
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onyx95, July 23, 2009 (view all comments by onyx95)
Learning more everyday about the world of Shadowhunters, Downworlders and Demons that her mother tried to keep from her, Clary (Clarissa Fray) discovers the differences. Finding she has a father (Valentine Morgenstern), and a brother (Jace) that are on different sides of the Shadowhunter’s view about how to handle the Downworlders and the Demons puts Clary in a postion that leaves her wondering who to believe in. The people she turns to first are her mothers long time friend Luke Garroway (who happens to be a werewolf) and her own best friend Simon (who is turning in to more than a friend). With there help and a few other Shadowhunters and one High Warlock, Clary and Jace are determined to fight for what is right, even if it is their own father.

Book 2 ….. Wow, talk about a jam packed book. So much happened in just the first half I would have been satisfied if it ended there. It kept going and just got better as it went. There are a lot of fighting scenes and some are really good, well written. I was a little surprised by what happened to poor Simon, there are actually several things that took me by surprise in this one (but a few things didn’t), I think what Imogen Herondale (the Inquisitor) said to Jace will come out and be understood (as a good thing). It ended with certain expectations of what the 3rd book (City of Glass) will have in it. Now that Valentine has the cup and the sword, the only Mortal Instrument left would be the mirror.
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chelee33, April 20, 2008 (view all comments by chelee33)
It was fun to read! I enjoyed it more than the first one. There are quite a few scary and intense parts; sometimes I was afraid to read in the dark! I'll read it again and I look forward to finding out what happens next. Can't wait!

Others I recommend: The Twilight series, the Uglies series, and the Blue Bloods series.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781416914297
Author:
Clare, Cassandra
Publisher:
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Subject:
Magic
Subject:
Supernatural
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Lifestyles - City & Town Life
Subject:
Social Issues - New Experience
Subject:
Horror & Ghost Stories
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
New york (n.y.)
Edition Description:
Hardback
Series:
Mortal Instruments
Series Volume:
02
Publication Date:
April 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
Young adult
Language:
English
Pages:
453
Dimensions:
9 x 6 in
Age Level:
14-17
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