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.
4 ½ ★
While this book is a bit shorter than the first book it has a lot more going on I thought. We deal not only with the after math of the ending of last book but also a lot new things are happening. And not only to Jase and Clary.
Everyone is still trying to find and stop Valentine who still is out to kill all downworlders but also is still trying to recruit Jace on his site.
Both Jace and Clary still trying to deal with the news from the last book. Both doing it in very different ways all the while they trying to drift away from each other, but it is very clear and painful that they still have feelings for each other. Jace alsohas much larger problem to deal with. The clave wants him imprisoned or worse. The Lightwoods, well only Maryse and Robert are also not helping him. He is very alone and in a dark spot in this book. But it just brings out his strength and he never gives up with the help of his friends.
Clary is still trying to wake her mother and also still new to the shadowhunter world that she got thrown in last book. She is learning more and more about her heritage and the power she has. She is also having a hard time with the news bout Jace from last book and is leaning on Simon for comfort. They grow very close to each other, which I was not a fan off at all. It was just seemed odd, especially with her feelings for Jace yet.
Simon has some major things happening to him in this book as well. And I have to say he does take it rather well. I must confess that I’m not sure of what to think about it just yet, I think I will see how it all plays out before I make up my mind. While I like Simon and he is super funny and loyal to the bone I can’t say I’m his biggest fan yet, but that might change or not. We shall see.
We see a lot of Luke, which I like, he sort of keeps them informed and somewhat sane. He fights with them no matter what it seems like. The same goes for Lizzy and Alec, they help them out even when their parents are anti Jace at the moment. But it seems like Alec is still not all team Clary he still helps her out. We get to see some Magnus and I love it, I just wish we would get more of him and more of him with Alec.
We learn a lot more of some of the downworlders, the fae, vamps and wolves play a rather big part in this book. We also learn more about the clave and Idris. Though I thought the clave is still a clan full of D&cks .
Instead the cup Valentine needs and wants the Soulsword , in order to go forward with his plan.
The ending was good and I can’t wait to read the next book. One thing is clear in this book. Nothing is ever just white and black and don’t trust anyone.
Overall, I loved the book, it had a lot of action and suspense with a mix of humor and some light romance. With get some answers but in the end we are left with even more questions. I enjoyed this book even a little more than the last book.
I rate it 4 ½ ★
Some of my favorite quotes:
“No, I'm just a very naughty boy. I do all sorts of bad things. I kick kittens. I make rude gestures at nuns.”
***
"How did you get Magnus to let Jace leave?"
"Traded him for Alec," Clary said.
Isabelle looked mildly alarmed. "Not permanently?"
"No," said Jace. "Just for a few hours. Unless I don't come back," he added thoughtfully. "In which case, maybe he does get to keep Alec. Think of it as a lease with an option to buy."
Isabelle looked dubious. "Mom and Dad won't be pleased if they find out."
"That you freed a possible criminal by trading away your brother to a warlock who looks like a gay Sonic the Hedgehog and dresses like the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?" Simon inquired. "No, probably not.”
***
“I thought I'd lie on the floor and writhe in pain for a while," he grunted, "It relaxes me."
"It does? Oh - you're being sarcastic. That's a good sign probably.”
***
“Is there some particular reason that you're here?" ...
"Not this again."
"Not what again?" said Clary.
"Every time I annoy him, he retreats into his No Mundanes Allowed tree house." Simon pointed at Jace.”
***
“As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?”
***
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