City of Ashes (Book #2)

Summary:

"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."

Plot: The plot I felt in general was way stronger and definitely started to pick up in action. I was pretty pleased with it, although I did think I was going to get some definite answers and was disappointed that I didn't.

Pros: WAY more action packed and over all more entertaining

Cons: Some parts were a little jumpy and there were some minor holes in the plot line.

Final Thoughts: Given the fact that I actually didn't like City of Bones that much, I was pleasantly surprised that City of Ashes was hard for me to put down. Granted it had to do with the Luke/Princess Leia relationship going on.. that part of me wants a solution and the other part of me wishes it stopped at City of Bones. I also didn't like the back and forth between Simon's plot line, it could have been toned down a little. Overall, I enjoyed City of Ashes and can see why The Mortal Instruments Series is SO talked about. The ending opened up another big plot line for City of Glass, to the many other plot lines that need to be resolved.