City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments)
by Cassandra Clare
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Book Reviews of City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments)
Book Review: Worth the Wait
Summary: 5 Stars
The events of recent have left the shadowhunter members of the Clave broken and confused. Jace and Clary are trying to reestablish their relationship as being platonic after finding out that they are brother and sister. Simon is sullen and moody, and Clary thinks he's preoccupied with his previous battle with the greater demon ,Abaddon. In reality he is caught up in her, after being in love with her for years and not telling her.
To complicate matters further someone is killing downworlder children and the Clave suspects Valentine's hand. What is it that he wants this time? And when one of the mortal instruments goes missing does it have anything to do with the murders.
I confess, I waited for this book for almost a year after reading the first book, "City of Bones". When it came into the bookstore where I work I literally screeched on the floor. "It's here! It's here! It's here!" And then I promptly knocked over my coffee in an effort to get to it. I bought a copy and then set it aside for a few days. I waited for a day off when I could lock myself in my apartment with food and caffeine and shut my phone off and just... enjoy the ride. The last time I did that was, well... with "City of Bones", actually. I must say, the wait was well worth it. I got exactly what I wanted from the book. Clare is such an amazing writer, and amazing storyteller, and a phenomenal voice in urban fantasy. I am upset that I read through the book in one day, but I knew I would. I might have to reread it slower now, just to make it last a little longer. I fear I am going through withdrawal now. Blimey... withdrawal over a book! It's that addictive. Trust me. Addictive, and glorious, and completely absorbing.
Book Review: Angsty Middle
Summary: 3 Stars
Demons are more personal when one's father is summoning them, in Cassandra Clare's second Mortal Instruments novel, CITY OF ASHES.
Shadowhunters (Nephilim) can defeat antags by carving runes on their skin and surroundings, and by using various blades and whatnot. But Clary Fray's and Jace Wayland's father Valentine has stolen a Mortal Instrument or two, using them to summon demons. Why? I'm not sure. Will the teens hunt down their dad and destroy him? There's definite hunting, but we'll have to wait for the final instalment in the trilogy, CITY OF GLASS, for closure.
Meanwhile, Clary's BFF Simon really likes her - a little too much. She tries to give him a chance, but ultimately they can't stay in the more-than-friends category. And it's not just that Simon's getting to know werewolf Maia.
The Shadowhunters seem rather up themselves, and that's evident in their names for others: those without paranormal abilities are "mundane", whilst vampires and werewolves are "Downworlders". Will someone please take the Nephilim off their freaking pedestal? They have yet to understand the concept of "everyone is equal".
An emo vampire acknowledges one's own emoness, so at least he/she (don't want to spoil) has humour. This is important, and well done on the author's behalf, for emo vampires who don't admit to being emo are just no fun. Also, look out for the delightfully creepy Silent City, a haunting setting to remember - awesome.
I can't recollect much of the first book, CITY OF BONES, but I enjoyed it more, so CITY OF ASHES comes as somewhat of a disappointment. Alas, there is still one book to go, and hopefully it'll engage more than this angsty middle.
Book Review: For a particular appetite
Summary: 4 Stars
I've noticed a lot of negative commentary, and I've felt the need to step in for sometime. Haven't, because I thought it was somewhat evident here, and then realised, nah, probably not. These books are not for your standard-issue slavering fantasy fan. These books are for the people that like Cassandra Claire's unique turn of phrase and humor. You either do or don't, I've not met anyone inbetween.
I can't think of a better way to say this, so please don't take it as negative view. But, Cassandra Clare knows what her fans like, and she produces it magnificently for us. I get the impression she isn't working for overwhelming mass appeal, but is taking a more pragmatic approach of giving those of us that put her on top what we like. We like the surealistic dialogue, we can't wait for the next brain-twister human relations. Angst-- pile it higher and deeper and then make it funny.
For what she's delivering, it's fantastic, and her dialogue is a real treat after the curse-filled, physics defying, blood-drenched monotone stuff that's been pumped out into mainstream teen fantasy lately. Please, you can't review a book without considering the audience, but some of the reviews here definitely sound like a case of someone reading something that was never going to live up to their anticipation. (A high fantasy junkie isn't really going to appreciate a cheap western, for instance.)
I fianlly wanted to say that it's brutally obvious that the series has been over-edited. I'm not sure why, I'm not sure what all has been removed, but I believe that the editing has brought about the cartoonish moments and sometimes jerky dialogue.
Book Review: Better than the first, but still weak
Summary: 3 Stars
The first book of this trilogy suffered from frequent info dumps, and under-developed main characters. Here, both issues are improved upon (but not eliminated); however, the entire book was overshadowed by the "forbidden love" angst between Jace and Clary. This issue could have been better managed as a dramatic device, if it weren't so obvious it would be resolved, and if Jace and Clary had tackled the issue head-on instead of moping. That said, this book was better since the world is expanded upon, the villain is given more screen time to evolve past the boogeyman stage, and Simon becomes a real contender in the plot.
I think the strongest parts of this volume are with Valentine. He is finally shown to be more than just the villain - he's a dangerous, charming, intelligent fanatic convinced of his own right cause. Valentine is also the catalyst for some character development for Jace. We can see the hints of the man he could be. Sadly, that is not the case for Clary. Other reviewers have pointed out that she is too passive, and when she does act it's with the impetuousness of a child. That would be acceptable given her age, if not for the events beforehand. Tragedy and danger should have pushed her to grow up more than she has. The biggest change is for Simon, quite literally, and his transformation impacts the plot and other characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than book one and will finish the trilogy, but oh how I wish the author would do more with what she has. Alec and Magnus could be more than just after-thoughts and Izzy has nothing to do.
Book Review: 4 1/2 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
CITY OF ASHES takes the potential of COB and lives up to it. More dynamic, more emotional, and more surprising, I believe COA far surpasses its already wonderful predecessor and sets the stage for the third novel.
Clary believed herself to be a normal human until she saw Jace, Isabella, and Alex kill a boy - a demon. Now she's hopelessly involved with the world of the Shadow Hunters, struggling against Valentine. Valentine used to be a Shadow Hunter and now he is stealing their most precious artifacts (the Mortal Instruments) one at a time. Jace, the most talented of the four, faces prejudice from the older Hunters because of his past. Clary just wants to go back to being a normal human with her best friend Simon, who wishes he weren't so mundane. Magnus Bane steals every scene he's in once again - it's most satisfying the Clare gives him more screen time. She also satisfies with her continuations of the previous relationships.
Actually, I find myself in a bit of a corner with COA. It's difficult to even discuss the plot of the novel without revealing many of the first book's surprises. I can only recommend you pick up both of these urban fantasy novels, and not just for the shiny covers. (Not that the shiny covers hurt. Can you say gorgeous? Cliff Nielsen, I've loved you for ages, but you've really outdone yourself with Clare's covers. Keep `em coming baby, keep `em coming.)
Want humor, angst, glittery warlocks, civil war, and flying motorcycles? Enter the world of the Shadow Hunters.
Excerpted from In Bed With Books