Book Synopsis:
Published March 24th 2009 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
541 pages |
To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters – never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City – whatever the cost?
Book Review: 4.5 stars
“Not everything is about you,” Clary said furiously.
“Possibly,” Jace said, “but you do have to admit that the majority of things are.”
I feel like I’ve been living under a rock, or at least an incredibly cocooned and welcoming couch. My life lately has consisted of devouring 
this series, finding people who want to talk about this series, and then dreaming about this series. I am hooked, nay, OBSESSED! Oh Cassandra Clare I admire your ability to tell enriching tales with witty prose. Can I please curl up inside your imagination?
Once again Clare’s pure craftwomanship to write astounds me. I feel like I know these characters and am apart of this world. I find myself smiling when they smile, role my eyes when they do, or even sometimes (but not often..cause I’m not crazy) laugh and say something like ‘Oh Jace, your so funny.’ In a non sarcastic way of course.
City of Glass I found to be a lot darker than the previous books, which I loved. And although there were moments that felt a bit repetitive, especially in regards to relationship conversations, it still was a great addition to this series. I love the way Clare describes her worlds, and the lore that centres around this series. My only tiff would be that her endings aren’t as heart beating- cliffhanger explosive-must press to read the next one now, kind of endings. Is this a bad thing? Its not like there isn’t a climax a few chapters before. But I have noticed this in the previous one as well when everything ends on a happy note, even though there are still mysteries to be solved. Maybe I am just being a pessimist, but after all the fight-fighty blood and death its happiness city with rainbow clouds for the rest, which I sort of get bored with.
Simon is still my favourite character by far, and he develops so much in this book. I loved his relationships with Izzy and Maia, and can’t wait to see how that all pans out in the next one. Although I sort of have this feeling that Maia might end up with Aline. And lets not forget the mark of cain business….love religion. I am glad though that the brother sister wo is me storyline has finished, but at the same time my heart would speed up when Jace describes his love to Clary. Plus she hasn’t said it back yet.
Alec and Magnus! So darn freaking cute! I can’t wait to see their witty back and forth on the big screen!
I thought Clary grew up a fair bit in this one as well. Yes she is still impulsive, and will act first cry later, which I love about her. Her reaction to her mum returning felt a bit forced, and sort of back peddled her recent development in maturity for me, but it wasn’t a ruiner or anything. The death of Valentine was just so unexpected. Clearly he had to die sometime, but I though at least Jace would get to do it. I understood why the Angel killed him, given Valentines intentions, but it was something that I had to pause and think about for a few seconds before continuing.
When I neared the end it did feel like this was it, meaning the end to the series. But she wrote like three more, which makes sense given the loop holes. I asked a friend about this and apparently Clare was supposed to finish the series as a trilogy but then decided to write more. I’m not saying this is a horrible thing, its just something I noticed whilst finishing the third book.
