The Mortal Instrument Series Continues
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare Follows City of Bones
In City of Ashes, Cassandra Clare follows Clary Fray after she's been swept into a world of demons, angels and everything in between. Clary wants to things to return to normal, but they can’t. Her mom is in a comma, and the new realm of Downworld may provide the key to waking her up. When rogue Shadowhunter Valentine steals the second Mortal Instrument, the Clave suspects that Jace may be a spy.
The Second Mortal Instrument
Continuing the theme from City of Bones, the second novel introduces a new Mortal Instrument, a sword guarded by the Silent Brothers. By possessing two of the three divine objects handed down from the Angel Raziel to the Shadowhunters, Valentine draws nearer to being able to win the war he is waging against his fellow Nephilim.
In order to use the sword for his purposes, Valentine must collect the blood from each of the different half-demon races: the werewolves, the vampires, the faeries, and the warlocks. Used in a ritual, the blood will allow Valentine the ability to summon a demon army.
Additional Plot Elements in City of Ashes
Simon, Clary’s best friend, has been trying to keep up with her, but how long can he remain a mundie, or a human, without Downworld taking a toll? Luke, a previous Shadowhunter turned werewolf, tries to protect Clary while helping her in any way possible as she transitions into her rightful role as a Shadowhunter. Jace struggles to accept the sins of his father, which causes even his loved ones to look at him like he’s a demon. And the Inquisitor for the Clave seems more focused on revenge than on justice.
On the romantic front, Clary and Simon try to date, but both Jace and Clary fight against the feelings they have for each other. Simon strives to be the best friend and the boyfriend despite the emotional whirlwind between the Shadowhunters. Plus, Clary begins to question Luke on his feelings for her mom.
More Information on the Mortal Instrument Series and its Author
The Mortal Instrument series also includes City of Bones and City of Glass. Next up, the author plans a companion series called The Infernal Devices. The first book should be available in 2010. To see what Cassandra Clare has on the way, fans can visit her Web site, which also offers a biography for the author. Young adult readers can find more information about the series at Mortal Instruments. City of Ashes was published by Simon and Schuster in March 2008 (ISBN - 13:9781416914297).
City of Ashes Features the Shadowhunters
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