“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?”
First read (2017): ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Second read (2022): ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
Like City of Bones, I have an embarrisingly tiny post already up for City of Ashes, and you can read it here!
I don’t think that City of Ashes has ever been my favourite Shadowhunter book, and maybe my least favourite Mortal Instruments one, and this read ended with me marking it down by half a star to a measly 2.5 stars. I don’t know why, but I just don’t enjoy it. I know the books after this are all four and five star reads, so why is this one any different? I really wish I knew.
That aside, I am still looking forward to continuing with my reread. I can’t quite remeber which of The Mortal Instruments is my favourite, but I suppose we’ll find out when I get there, so, until then,
Much love,
Tea Stains and Book Spines 