City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)

sweet home alabama.

** spoiler alert ** druhý díl ságy o lovcích stínů jsem si překvapivě užila. bavil mě děj, nenudila jsem se u něj, bylo to hezky napsaný, a proto jsem to přečetla za týden. jediné, co chci vytknout, ja tension mezi jacem a clary. prostě aaaaaa. kazí mi to celý zážitek z knihy. já vím, že to asi bude složitější než to vypadá, ale panebože. někdo vám řekne, že jste sourozenci, tak svý láskyplný city prostě zkuste potlačovat. kdyby mi někdo řekl, že můj crush je můj long lost brother, dám si hezky všechny city dohromady a přestanu do něj být zamilovaná :) i když by to bylo náročný. jak říkám, bude to asi složitější a bude to mít nějaké háčky, ale i když příbuzní nejsou, pořád si teď myslí, že jsou. a i kdybych si jen myslela že můj crush je můj bratr (a nevěděla bych to ofc přesně protože bych si nedělala žádný rozbor DNA) fakt bych s ním nechtěla být. byla bych ze sebe vlastně znechucená. takže chci vytknout to. hrozně mi to tam vadí, a nevím úplně proč to Cassandra vymyslela zrovna takhle. . na druhou stranu miluju postavy Simona a Magnuse a jsem ráda, že v tomhle díle byly víc. . dávám 4*/5*. kdyby tam nebyla ta láska, dávám pět.

** spoiler alert ** It’s a 3.5 ⭐️ read. What drew me to Clare’s writing in the first place was her action-packed writing and plot-driven narration. It really allows me to get into the book and visualize everything in my head, which is what I always look for in a fantasy novel. This was so much better than City of Bones, so let me get ahead into a few points: I got better insight to the almost all the characters personalities and lives, most especially that of Jace. I really can’t hate him anymore, and I saw how he was struggling with his identity, his past, and how he was torn for his love for the Lightwoods who took him in and his dignity, and also in suppressing his feelings for Clary throughout the book, because she’s his supposed long-lost sister. It made me realize how sick of a man Valentine really was. I started to adore Alec more in this book. I only saw glimpses of him in CoB, so I definitely wanted more, if not some, of his perspective. Alec is a very protective person. It seems to that since he’s the eldest Lightwood, he put himself responsible for Isabelle and Max when Maryse and Robert were gone, in which no way he should’ve shouldered, just because he was the eldest. He prioritized his family so much that I think he’s lied so many times from them because he couldn’t afford to tell the truth, especially in front of Jace. The Jace he loves, tolerates, and defended from The Inquisitor many times, and whose place he fought for at The Institute. I finally understood why people got so annoyed at Clary. She had no excuse to use Simon as a diversion. In hindsight, she may not have been doing intentionally, but she was well aware of his feelings for Jace, someone she thinks she won’t ever have. I was glad Simon finally realized his worth (I really hope he did) and finally walked away from the thought of being more than bestfriends with her. On the other hand, she was starting to lose the “pick me” attitude, so that’s a plus. Jace’s relationship with the Lightwoods? ADORABLE. I don’t care much for Robert, but I was able to see how much Maryse truly cares for Jace like he was indeed her son. Also, Luke Garroway deserves more appreciation. Like, in a room full of incredibly angsty teenager Shadowhunters + a newly made vampire, he’s literally everyone’s dad. And let me just point out the love and loyalty he has for Jocelyn? SENDS ME INTO ORBIT. Valentine can fuck off. Oh, and Magnus Bane. Need I say more? SPOILER: I actually had to put the book down when Luke mentioned Stephen. Maybe I did feel my heart break again, reading about another Herondale from Will and Tessa’s lineage. It reminded me of how good the foreshadowing of events Clare’s books have. My take on this whole incest thing will probably still be the same as ever. I know it was hinted multiple times on how Jace and Clary really aren’t blood-related, but it’s gross as hell. But on a positive note, this sub-plot made me think how difficult it actually was for Jace and Clary to suppress their feelings seeing how attracted they really were to each other before. Imagine basically almost dating this stranger who has saved your life many times, made out with and all, only to be told he’s your fucking brother. But, on the other hand, it allowed me to see how fucked up and psychotic of a villain Valentine actually is to be so happy to tell Jace and Clary they had the same father, and took joy in the fact that they couldn’t be together. I badly want to know why the fuck did he think of doing that. I also just want to to say how The Seelie Queen was so EXTRA for having Jace and Clary kiss LMFAO. She absolutely knew the entirety of the truth, but why did no one pay attention to that not-so-subtle hint she gave?

This was so cute & breathtaking that there are no words for it. If you haven't read it, read it NOW!

I might be the only one who #TeamClimon <3 But I don't care lol

** spoiler alert ** The only reason this is 4 stars and not 2 is because of: -Simon -Alec and Magnus' relationship -VAMPIRE SIMON Also, damn Clary really got sibling-zoned.

After reading the first book i was not sure how i was going to feel going into this book, but im happy to say i loved City Of Ash just as much as the first book maybe even more! The more back stories i start to see the more im staring to really love this author. cant wait to read the next book!

** spoiler alert ** Gostei muito de ouvir esse audiolivro, apesar de ter demorado um pouquinho. Não estava muito ansiosa para ler essa continuação assim que terminei o primeiro livro, não tinha gostado tanto assim e sabia que um romance entre a Clary e o Simon viria e eu não estava com vontade de ler isso. E, bom, foi horrível mesmo o relacionamento deles. Pra mim, esse negócio da Clary e do Jace serem supostos irmãos deve ser o pior plot que a Cassandra Clare já fez. A reação deles a essa informação não faz sentido, ainda mais o Jace sugerindo que eles escondam incesto(???) kkkkkkkk Gosto deles juntos e to louca pra que seja revelado que o Valentine tava mentindo, por isso quero logo ler o próximo haha. Fora o fracasso que foi o romance nesse livro e a personalidade chatinha da Clary eu gostei bastante. A história em si foi muito mais legal do que o primeiro livro e as cenas de ação muito mais interessantes. Os personagens secundários são incríveis, eu amo o Luke e sou apaixonada pelo Magnus. A Inquisidora é um projeto de Umbridge que me fez passar muita raiva. Quero ver muito o desenrolar do romance do Alec e do Magnus e espero que o próximo livro foque na construção de uma amizade entre a Clary e a Izzy (sério, é insuportável o jeito que a Clary descreve todas as garotas que aparecem na história). Eu amei MUITO a Seelie Court e queria ver mais dela também. O mundo das fadas sempre vai ser minha fantasia preferida, seja com SJM, Holly Black ou a própria Cassandra Clare. Enfim, foi uma boa leitura.

September 24, 2019 Edited rating: 3.00 STARS Lowering the rating for the first three books of TMI series because I just had some thinking and realizations dawned on me. THESE BOOKS HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES I DIDN'T LET MYSELF SEE THE FIRST TIME!! But I did enjoy it at some parts, so there's that! ---- July 19, 2019 Second rating: 3.50 STARS May 14, 2019 First rating: 4.00 STARS Despite not being too much into this series the first time I picked up the first book, I found myself rather invested in the story. I was able to keep enough motivation for me to continue this though there were really times that I found bland scenes where I question myself if I should keep reading or not. So far, I am not yet regretting my decision to continue. The last half part of the book always do its job for keeping me entertained, making it up for the flatness of the first part. Hopefully, the next books can give me some things more that the first two books can offer. I am really looking forward. As for the female protagonist, Clarissa Fray, I don't really know exactly what to say. I rarely had a situation where I did not like the female protagonist, but I just wasn't that into her character. I can't give her my sympathy or support. For the most part, I found myself rolling my eyes with her 'attitude'. Not that I hate her, I'm not just that invested with her character. I just hope I can give her a chance to not feel this way toward her character as I continue reading. In general, I liked this book more than I can imagine. Flawed but I can honestly say that this book offered a surprisingly good stable grip to keep the reader from walking away.

4.0 STARS:

Ah I see. So, THIS was the book where CC started finding her unique writing voice. I found this to be much more like later CC books than City of Bones was.

There are multiple POVs (which is always an element I enjoy from this author), and the pacing was faster. There was always something happening, and I found the plot to be compelling and engaging.

The one thing that I found lacking was, shockingly, the romance.

I know what you're thinking. No, it's not because of that one plot line between Jace and Clary. I actually had a problem with the fact that she tended to tell the romance more than show. I am spoiled for who ends up with who, so I am doing my best to be invested in the ones that will end happily. However, the story keeps putting emphasis on all the OTHER romances. For the main ones, there is hardly any emphasis on their relationships and hardly any time spent on them. I know that one of these romances is the fan favorite, but at the moment, I am just not invested in it.

Still, I think that that this author will only improve with each book, so I am hopeful that I can get properly invested in each of these relationships. I am very much enjoying this series, especially after this book. I do recommend The Mortal Instruments; it seems like a good starter for this kind of fantasy.

City of Ashes: 2.5/5 Ugh.. Ok.. To be honest, I didn't have super high hopes for this book to go in with so I'm not disappointed or anything in this book. Once again, I'm just going to give my opinion since I know most people have already read this book. I liked the writing, I like the plot (Cassandra Clare writes a GOOD story) but I just don't like Clary. Or Jace. I understand that they're teenagers and teenagers are annoying sometimes, but I really didn't vibe with them, or like them at all. Honestly, the best characters were Simon and Alec. Also since everyone and their mother already knows about it, the incest plot is JUST NOT IT. On top of that, there's a love triangle, which I also do not like. To give this book credit though, the plot is super fast-paced, but because of the characters, I felt like the book was taking forever for me to read. I also really disliked how the perspective would switch mid-chapter. That kind of thing really disorients me and makes the book less enjoyable because I'm wondering which unlikeable character we're currently following. Anyway, I'm going to continue with this series because I know it's going to get better, this one just wasn't for me.

SO SO SOSO GOOD WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE GOING TO START THE NEXT BOOK NOW

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? Content warning for incest and violence. I originally read this book in high school, and I was surprised I remembered most of the plot when I barely remembered anything from the first book. It's probably because I remember being so mad about the sibling reveal. Now that I've reread it, I realize there are a lot of hints at what occurs in the third book that I didn't pick up the first time. Clary isn’t an engaging main character because she’s very helpless. Out of all the Shadowhunters series’ protagonists, Clary is probably one of the most important but is also the most boring. I did enjoy the character development that took place with the minor characters. I appreciated that we got to see more of Luke as a character and more of his backstory, also more of how he feels towards Jocelyn and why things didn't work out. I loved Simon's transformation and feel like he needed it to become a more fascinating character. I didn't love Jace in this book so much, he had his moments, but I really started to appreciate him near the end. All in all, this is a decent second book in the series.

3.5⭐️

Book #29 Read in 2014 City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (YA) This is the second book in a great young adult paranormal series. In this book, Clary is beginning her life as a Shadowhunter and trying to get past romantic feelings with her newly found, long-lost brother Jace. Her mother is still in a coma, her friend Simon is still trying to be her boyfriend and of course the host of not-so-normal teenage problems (attacks on vampires and werewolves, her crazy father Valentine causing trouble) keeps readers engaged in this book. The characters are cool and larger than life. The plot is exciting and full of twists and turns. There is humor and romance in the book. I cannot wait to start book #3. http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

Again, what am I supposed to say?! Like its predecessor, City of Ashes was way too long for its own good and there are plotholes and whatnot, but I can't help but think it's such a fascinating world and story. I am genuinely interested in what will happen next, what secrets will be unveiled, etc. and I think that interest will manage to keep me going through the rest of the terribly long books. One interesting thing I must note though, is that Harry Potter books are long, but they don't feel long when you read them. With The Mortal Instruments books so far, every time I turn a page it feels like I haven't moved a bit. Perhaps that's why the HP series is so special - it's got something to it that few series can live up to? Anyways. Complaints first - Simon. I believe this is an unpopular opinion, but I just... he bugs me. I don't like him and Clary together. They feel awkward and forced (because they are awkward and forced). His becoming a vampire was just such a weird plot twist? He reminds me a bit of Bella Swan, except maybe not that bad. His sometimes-sassiness makes up somewhat for his own ick. And also, Jace. I still like his character, but he was exactly what he said he wanted to be at the beginning of the book - an angsty teenager. Don't get me wrong, I'm curious about his and Clary's 'special snowflake' abilities. I want to see more development between his love/hate/what-even relationship with Valentine. I'm also curious to see the changes in his relationship with Clary. But in this particular book, he wasn't so charming. He was a moody jerk most of the time. But what's worse than both of them? The love triangle. Why, why, whywhywhyhwhwyhwhywhy. Why. WHY. The "forbidden love" thing with Jace and Clary because they're siblings is just ew, and as I mentioned before, Simon and Clary together is equally blegh. I feel like the entire book would be a lot better if there was no romance part at all. Actually, that's not true, I loved the bit where they visited the Seelie Court. But whywhywhywhywhy must there be a love triangle, and why must it be such a horrid one. Clary honestly didn't do much this entire book. The creating-runes thing is cool enough, but has so much room for issue. Where are the limits? Why can't she just create a rune to get rid of Valentine? Some of the "rules" of the major plot points definitely need to expanded upon. And speaking of Valentine, I think I'm actually starting to like him as a villain? I don't know where I stand on this one. Eh. Okay, so with so many complaints, why is this rated 4*? I don't even know. Because the plot was engaging, it didn't feel as crammed as the first book - yay improvement, and because I'm honestly dying to know what happens next. I have so! many! issues! with! this! whole! thing! and! I'm! still! really! getting! into! it! Whyy!

This book was fantastic! I didn’t necessarily love the first book, but I liked it enough to read the next book in the series and I am so glad that I did. This book was intriguing, hilarious, and action-packed. Above all, I liked the relationship/friendship between Clary and Simon. I just find there to be something so special and innocent about the two of them. Maybe it is because they have known each other practically their whole lives, so it is safe or because how Simon thinks and feels about Clary is just so sweet. I haven’t decided yet, but I can’t wait to see what is in store for them. The character of Magnus Bane is slowly growing on me. I wasn’t too much of a fan of his in the first book, but he really came back for the win in this one. Besides his “secret” relationship with Alec, I just find him to be absolutely hilarious. From his outrageous outfits to his remarks; there is just so much spunk and attitude surrounding him. I really liked the take on faeries, vampires, and werewolves in this series. I am normally not one for fantasy novels (besides Harry Potter and Twilight), but I think the way they are portrayed a bit differently than usual is quite creative. *spoiler* One of the character changes that I most enjoyed is Simon’s transformation to a vampire. He is by far my favorite character in all his nerdy-ness, so I wasn’t so sure how I felt about him becoming a child of the night, but in the end it worked for me. He adapted to it and the jokes he managed were the best! “Because I forsee many romantic picnics in our future. You, drinking a virgin piña colada. Me, drinking the blood of a virgin.” *end spoiler* This was a beautifully written sentence: “Inside him the cold of fall battled with the memory of summer.” I am not a fan of the Jace and Clary thing. I understand the story there and in the first book it made sense- long lost brother and sister who met not knowing they were related and ended up falling for each other only to find out they are siblings. That is where it should stop. It seemed as if they were trying to end it, but then certain events would throw them back together such as the seen in the Faerie Court. I thought that part could have been left out. I am not going to bash this storyline as incest, but it needs to end. I haven’t figured out why all of a sudden in this book there are random Bible verses thrown into the mix. I am a Christian and I enjoy a good fantasy book about demons and angels every once in awhile, but I don’t see why we need to bring the Bible into it. The first book was good and it made sense, sticking random verses in there didn’t really help the story. Overall this is my favorite book (so far). It made me laugh on multiple occasions and kept me on the edge of my seat.

did i have to google slight spoilers for myself? yes because the subtext was going to really bother me otherwise

anyway i’m not sure what they put in these books because i finished this is less than 12 hours

I could not put this book down! Off to the library tomorrow to get number 3!

Read this review, and many more on my blog October Tune! Fair warning, if you loved this book, you might not want to read this review. Also, this review might have some spoilers in it, so I won’t read it if you haven’t finished the book yet! When I first finished City of Bones (the first book in the series), I told myself I wouldn’t continue this series. I didn’t like CoB at all, and I thought that the rest of the series would probably be as bad. After rereading the first book a couple of weeks ago, I decided to read at least the second and third book, because those where the original books in the series (until Clare thought it might be a good idea to write three more books). I decided to read CoA because I just wanted to know how it went on, without having to read other people’s opinions, but I kinda regret it a bit. Not only where the big surprises in this book not a surprise to me because of the movie (I honestly don’t get why you would spoil stuff from the next books in the first movie, honestly!), it just wasn’t better than the first. Okay, maybe a little bit. The first thing I noticed, was that the point of view in the book changes a lot. First they’d be telling the story from Jace’s POV, and then a couple of parts further it would be from Clary’s. Sometimes it was from Simon’s POV, or Maia’s (which is a new character, and I’ll talk about her later). Everyone probably already knows that I HATE books with multiple POV’s. Sometimes, I get used to it, when it’s done correctly. Like in Requiem, the book switched between Lena and Hana, one chapter would be told from Lena’s POV, and the other from Hana’s. (and I don't mind it at all in the Doctor Who books I've read). This book did not do it correctly. I found it really annoying, and confusing at some points, and I just really hope the other books are not like this. There are two other things that I don’t like in books (and in real life); incest and love-triangles. And hey, guess what? This book had both of them! The way Clary and Jace were still in love with each other though they knew they were brother and sister made me feel a bit weird at some times. The whole kissing scene in that Seelie Court (or whatever it was called, I don’t remember) made me feel really bad for Simon and ugh. Gross. And then there’s the love-triangle thing. Clary is in love with both Simon and Jace, oh no, what should she do?! Kiss both of them of course, because that’s what always happens in every book that has two love-interests for the main character. WHY DO WRITERS FEEL THE NEED TO DO THIS, HONESTLY?! In City of Bones, I had a list of words that I didn’t know and I didn’t even bother looking them up. I don’t get why writers like to use ‘difficult’ and fancy words, while they can simply just use the easy version of it. We are teenagers (okay maybe not me, but most people that read this book are), we don’t all know the meaning of all those difficult words, we don’t feel like reading a book with a dictionary next to it! At least, I don’t. Luckily, City of Ashes had less difficult words (either that, or I just completely ignored them, that might also be it), so that made me a bit happier. Now onto the characters. I have two favourite characters. Luke and Simon. Not only because they are played by two of my favourite characters, I just like them. Luke is a werewolf that owns a bookstore, and he’s just awesome, and Simon is just adorable. Like I said earlier, we were introduced to a couple of new characters in this book, one of which was Maia; a fifteen (or sixteen I have no idea, I think at one point she was sixteen, and then at another she was fifteen, I might have read it wrong though) year old werewolf girl from Luke’s pack. I liked her, and I felt bad for her. Not only did she have an abusive brother, after finally getting rid of her brother, she got an abusive boyfriend who was eventually the one who changed her into a werewolf. And then she got forgotten throughout the entire book. At least, that’s what it felt like to me. (view spoiler)[There was a part in which they were all at Luke’s house. Maia left the living room and hid in the kitchen because she’d been crying; and then we don’t hear about her for a long time. There is a tiny part afterwards in which she leaves the house and gets captured by Valentine, and then we don’t hear from her for a while. Then, on Valentine’s boat, she is tortured (HER HAIR GETS TORN OUT OF HER HEAD, she gets silver powder all over her face/body, and we all know that werewolves are ‘allergic’ to silver), and then gets freed by Clary, pushed through a hole in the wall, after which we don’t hear anything from her anymore. Though Clary asked whether she was safe (among other people), she is told that everyone is safe, but we don’t hear anything from Maia anymore. Not a word. We don’t hear whether she died, whether she’s safe, nothing. (hide spoiler)] Then there are the characters that I DIDN’T like. Clary, Jace, the Inquisitor, Valentine; Clary because she’s just really annoying. I can’t really give you a perfect example, but I was just annoyed throughout the book. And Jace, oh god Jace. He picked a fight with several werewolves, visited his father after being told he couldn’t leave the house, being a total ass to almost everyone in the book. Ugh. The Inquisitor made me want to punch a wall. Though I hate Jace, I thought she was completely unreasonable with him, not believing everything he said. She reminded me of Snape, punishing someone’s child just because you hate the parent. I can’t stand people like that. (view spoiler)[And then she dies a heroic death and saving Jace's life, wow yes totally the Snape of this story. (hide spoiler)] And of course, Valentine was just an ass. Grrrrrr. I am not the first, and I will certainly not be the last, but both CoB and CoA have some Harry Potter (not just HP though, but these were the ones that I noticed because I’m a huge HP fan of course) ‘influences’ to it. I know about Clare’s plagiarism history, so it made me feel a bit uneasy when I read those things. I’ll give you two examples from this book: Valentine is looking for the Mortal Instruments, three objects that (if I’m correct) make you the ultimate Shadowhunter. Voldemort was looking for the Deathly Hallows (okay eventually he was looking for only one, but shhhh), three objects that make you the ultimate wizard/witch. Coincidence? I THINK NOT. Then, there was a demon, called Argamon (which reminded me of Pokémon), who ‘takes the form of whatever most terrifies you’. And then apparently it also ‘feeds on fear’. A bit like a boggart and a dementor in one, what fun! The following part might have some spoilers in them for those who haven’t read this book yet. (view spoiler)[Then there was Clary, who is a Shadowhunter. But apparently that is not enough, no! She has to be a SPECIAL Shadowhunter, because why would the main character be a normal Shadowhunter?! That’s ridiculous! No, Clary can make up her own runes, wow wow wow so special! In this book, Simon is made a vampire (which I already knew, THANK YOU COB MOVIE) and wow no not an ordinary vampire, what the hell were you thinking?! NO HE’S A VAMPIRE THAT CAN WITHSTAND SUNLIGHT WOW SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE SIMON (He’s still my favourite character though, shh). Why can’t they just be an ordinary Shadowhunter, and an ordinary vampire, ugh. (sorry I just let myself go at this bit, but ugh) (hide spoiler)] To make a long story short, I didn’t enjoy this book. I am going to read the third book, because that was supposed to be the last in the series. I don’t know if I’ll read anything beyond that, but we’ll see what happens after I’ve read the third book.

[this review contains spoilerssssss!!] reread – 01.27.2016 // before rereading, the only thing i remembered was that CoA was that it was my least favorite of the series. aaaaaaand now i remember why. let me list the reasons: 1) the annoying love triangle between simon, clary, and jace is ANNOYING. so so so annoying. they were frustrated at each other 95% of the book and it made me want to tear my hair out. 2) clary can get very very whiny 3) imogen herondale is awful to everyone and although she ends up being good, i still don't like her all that much. *sigh* 4) the beginning is sooooooo slow. but it was still, the book wasn't too bad. here were some of my favorite parts: 1) MALEC. specifically that part when alec tries out the fearless rune and is like, "mom, dad, i'm seeing someone." and everyone else is like ALEC WTF ARE U DOIN' 2) visiting the seelie court. brb SHIPPING INCEST. this novel was a bit disappointing, but that's alright because i know CITY OF GLASS will be a lot better. i'm glad i decided to reread it instead of jumping straight to CoG during my TMI-reread because i forgot a loooooot of stuff and also picked up on a few details.

It was very good I need to know what happens nextttt

So I'm not really feeling the Shadowhunter world just yet. I want to, but I feel like this book was too similar to the first. There were definitely moderate developments with the characters that I still want to follow. I also read that C. Clare's writing gets better and better throughout the series. I'm definitely going to check out the next book.