City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 25th 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Hardcover/soft cover/eBook
Page count: 464
Series: #2 in Mortal Instruments Series
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Summary from Goodreads:

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.

My Review:

For anyone who has read City of Ashes, this review probably isn't needed--you'll already be running toward the nearest bookstore looking for it, dying to have some answers. Although this book presents just as many questions as it does answers (if not more so), its complex storyline, characters, and concepts are enough to keep readers coming back for more every time, and City of Ashes is no exception to the series so far.

I don't feel compelled to retell the summary (above), so let me tell you this much: the constant mystery, suspense, and curveballs of the plot will leave readers gasping for breath by the end; and trust me, Cassandra never lets up. As innovative as the series is in and of itself, it's hard to believe she could take anyone by surprise, but she does so. How difficult it is not to include any spoilers! Anyhow, the development of the characters is amazing, and continues to leave me falling in love with each and every one of them. Clary is still struggling with her romance, and it takes several dark turns throughout Cassandra's breathtaking tale. Still, she does not overdo it as she takes us dozens of places, each drawing us in more in its intrigue, fantasy, and yet touch of realism than the last.

In all, it's an incredible story of mystery, fantasy, darkness, demons, and Hope that comes recommended to every reader. And for those who have not yet read City of Bones: What are you waiting for??

Note: It has been rated 4 stars instead of 5 only for its length--as difficult as I know it is for an author to cut out any word, page, or scene, I think it could've used a *bit* more editing. However, this can be overlooked for its amazing plot and characters, and does not affect my recommendation whatsoever.