Thoughts on re-reading City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Spoiler Alert!  If you have not read the first book in the series, and would like to in an unspoiled manner, read no further!

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


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.


I find that most series experience a "sophomore slump" - that is, a crummy second book.  Even the Harry Potter series does.  While I'm sure many would disagree, I usually skip The Chamber of Secrets when reading because it's just so darn blah.  However, I think City of Ashes eschews this trend, and is a book that was an enjoyable read the second time through.


Part of this novel's strength is the promotion of several minor characters into much more important figures.  For example, I love that Clary's best friend Simon figures more prominently - even becoming a vampire!  This way, he can continue to be involved in the Downworld action without it seeming forced.  I also loved watching the relationship between Alec Lightwood, Jace's adopted brother, and Magnus Bane the warlock develop.  It is always nice to see same-sex relationships treated in a normal and positive light in YA literature, rather than over sensationalizing it or making it seem taboo.


The plot of this novel largely sets up the first of two climaxes in the series, coming in the third book.  So, some parts might move a little slower than others.  However, one of my favorite scenes in this series occurs in the novel when the characters go to visit the Seelie Court, which is where the queen of Faerie resides.  As faeries are known to be tricksters and mischievous to the point of cruel, the scene is very compelling.


Content concerns remain the same, so this book is still not recommended for younger readers.  The whole "Jace and Clary are related but still want one another" incest thread is a bit worrisome to anyone who can't predict where the story is headed.  However, for more precocious readers, I recommend!