The last of the Mortal Instrument series, this book picks up with Clary’s mother in a coma and her forced entry into the City of Glass. With a war about to break out amongst the magical groups, it is up to her and her friends to avert disaster and bring together all the warring factions (faeries, vampires, and wolves) to save their ways of life. A satisfying conclusion to a great series, which is going to be picked up with a prequel trilogy, and a future trilogy featuring a major character of this series. Looking forward to reading more of her work.

City of Ashes continues the story of Clary and her newfound family; wishing her family would be ‘normal’ again won’t make it happen. Her mother is in a magically-induced coma, her best friend Simon wants romance, and her new-found father (Valentine) is hunting Downworlders. When the Soul-Sword is stolen, the Inquisitor arrives to investigate and places the blame on Jace. Clary must work to prove his innocence and stop the murder of Downworlder children. The series is set in New York City, but she doesn’t rely on location to further the story. The second in the trilogy is just as well-written and past paced as City of Bones; Clare does a great job of giving all characters (even minor ones) great depth and the writing is sharp.

City of Bones starts out an AMAZING trilogy with well rounded characters, smart dialogue, and solid action. Clary Fray and her best friend Simon wander into Pandemonium, only to catch a group of teens in the act of killing a ‘person;’ the ‘person’ is no person and she is drawn into the world of Downworlders and Shadowhunters. Clary discovers that the life she thought she had only hid her mother’s dark past and her own special abilities. This book has fantastic banter and a solid plot. What I thought was truly refreshing was the character relationships, particularly the interplay between Clary, Simon, and her love interest Jace. Worth reading.