City of Ashes
Overview: In the second installment of Cassandra Claire’s Mortal Instruments series, Clary Fray has ben torn from a typical teenage life and forced into the role of Shadow hunting. With Clary caring for her comatose mother and managing her romantic life, she struggles to deal with otherworld conflicts. However, things take a dramatic turn for the worse when Clary’s brother is assumed to have stolen the Soul-Sword
Pages: 512 Pages
Writer: Cassandra Clare
Recommendations:
After devouring the first book, I found myself utterly captivated by the enchanting characters and the fantastical world they inhabit. The intricate explanations for werewolves, vampires, shadow hunters, and all the other supernatural beings had me hooked from the start. The eternal battle between good and evil, the hidden world unbeknownst to mundanes – it’s all so thrilling!
In this sequel, things take a darker turn as Valentine continues his quest to dismantle the clave, leaving his son to bear the brunt of the blame. Clary’s mother remains in a coma, and her guardian Luke must navigate the treacherous waters of a world she’s only recently discovered.
One gripe I had with the first book was the dialogue – at times, it felt stilted and forced. Thankfully, this issue has been addressed in this installment, leading to a smoother reading experience. The introduction of new characters adds depth to the story, allowing us to delve deeper into the lives of Clary and Jace, the dynamic duo at the story’s core.
Overall, this sequel addresses many of the shortcomings of its predecessor, taking the story to new heights and keeping readers on their toes. Unexpected twists and turns keep the plot fresh and engaging, making for a truly riveting read. Here’s hoping the series continues to build on this momentum, delivering even more thrilling installments in the future.