When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....
Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray thinks she is just a normal teenager. I mean, of course she is a normal teenage, she lives in Brooklyn with her artist mom, and spends most of her time with her best friend, Simon. One night when Clary and Simon are at a club, Pandemonium, she figures out that she can see people that nobody else can. Wham! Not so normal, I guess. The people that she can see are called Shadowhunters. They go around killing demons and such, you know the bad guys.
Not too soon after Clary makes her big discovery, her mom is kidnaped. Clary is entering this new world pretty much blind, except for the Shadowhunters which happen to be three teenagers. Jace, Isabelle and Alec must help Clary to find her mother. It seems that her mother is the only one who knows the whereabouts of the Mortal Cup, which can turn other people into Shadowhunters. But the man that kidnaped Clary’s mother plans to use to cup for evil purposes, of course. So Clary must help figure out where the cup is to rescue her mom, fight to keep her friendship with Simon and figure out the complicated feelings she has toward Jace.
Whew! This book was fast-paced and fantastic. I couldn’t stop myself from turning the pages to see what would happen next. There is a whole world not only of Shadowhunters but werewolves, vampires. demons, and faeries too! Although, not as to ruin the surprises in the book, I did have a couple things figured out way before they were revealed in the story. Overall, I would recommend this book and of course, I am eagerly awaiting the release of the sequel, City of Ashes!!
writes,
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.
writes,
When asked about this novel, I keep saying I think it could be better than J.K. Rowling's infamous Harry Potter series. It's true! Even reviewers on the book's covers seem to agree. Clare creates a novel that's so filled with action, drama, teenage angst and other things that you don't want to put it down. (At least, I didn't!)
As the middle installment of a trilogy, I was afraid it would be boring and slow-going. But it wasn't. I was immediately sucked into after the first few pages, remember why I loved the first book, City of Bones, so much.
The book is filled with smaller storylines that wrap together to create the overall plot, but you won't be confused as you're reading it. Everything does fall into place.
If you haven't checked out City of Bones yet, I highly recommend you do. (It's not in paperback.) It's definitely worth the read. I keep recommending it to everyone!
