My Take On City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

 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 her best friend, 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?

 I forgot to include this one in my Weekely Roundup, oops! I was so excited when I finally got my hands on it, though! A friend was nice enough to grab it for me from the library because it's always checked out. Thanks, SWSNBNOTB1!
 This was the perfect end to the series2. By about chapter eight, I was practically doing cartwheels, I was so pleased. The writing was the best of the three books in my opinion, or maybe it was just becuase I'd finally gotten the narrator's voice out of my head3.
 The plot was a little predictable at times, but nothing too out of the ordinary for the last book in a series (of events), and the ending did peter out the tiniest bit, but I'm not gonna complain about that because this was still an amazing book. Clare did a terrific job of tying eveything together and leaving no loose ends. I applaud her literary prowess! This was an excellent series of books with vivid story telling and a great world. I'd group it with the likes of Harry Potter, and I don't toss things like that around lightly, mind you.
 I give City of Glass...

...Five Zombies.

The perfect ending to the Mortal Instruments  trilogy. I can't wait to read the further adventures of the Shadow Hunters in The Infernal Devices.

Happy Reading,

Zombie Girrrl

footnotes____________________________________________________

1.  She Who Will Not Be Named On This Blog

2.  Although there will be a fourth book, I consider this the end of the story because the next one is about Simon and not the Mortal Instruments.

3.  My first experience of City of Bones was as an audio book, and I couldn't get her voice out of my head!

4.   I must insist that you click this link for further details, I gaurantee you won't regret it. Two words: steam punk. ;}

My Take on City of Ashes

City of Ashes, the second book in the Mortal Instruments series, was the first book I read upon getting home from the library earlier this week, and it kept me up way past my intended bedtime for two very thrilling days. Good reads are gonna give me insomnia1, I swear.

 The characters were as great as ever, even better than the first book, I think. They were flawed and wonderful and very relatable. I love them.
 In this installment of one of my new favorite series, Clary has been pulled deeper into the dangerous, magical world that lies just beneath the thin veneer of glamour in Cassandra Clare's gritty version of New York. Her relationship with Jace has become strained and awkward2 and things between her and Simon are more confusing than ever. She just wants her life to return to "normal," but things keep happening to pull her further into the realm of the strange than she's ever been. It seems like every other call she receives has her riding off to save someone she loves from some new danger, or at least tagging along to help. On top of all that, she and Jace are finding that they're not quite the average shadow hunters they thought they were3.
 The book switches perspectives often, depending on where the story goes, which gives you a chance to get to know all the characters on a deeper level, especially Jace. We get a chance to delve deeper into the psyche of our favorite golden boy as he is persecuted for his less than desirable lineage by a vindictive Clave inquisitor and struggles with betrayal from his closest allies4.
 The only way to describe the pacing of this book is that it grabs you by the short hairs and drags you along through awesome scenery, bizarre encounters, and exhilarating fight scenes, pausing occasionally to give you the bigger picture in the form of somewhat lengthy explanations.
 I give this book and its predecessor City of Bones...

...Four zombies.

 I apologize for never formally reviewing City of Bones, but the time got away from me and before I knew it I was reading the sequel! Plus it was an audio book5, and I wasn't quite sure what to say about it. I really loved the format; it allowed me to do my laundry and run while absorbing a great story, and the narrator did an awesome job with some of the voices, but I'm going to have to actually read the book to be sure that it stuck.

 As for the *shocking* ending, it was almost too shocking! It was like living your whole life thinking that apples are apples only to be told that are, in fact, oranges. Very good. First-class plot twistage. I actually yelled at the book.

Happy reading, 

Z.G.

footnotes_______________________________________________________
1  But according to Kate from {Catalyst, insomnia can very productive, and I must agree; I get a lot more reading done when I don't sleep!
2  And also a little Stars Warsy. Luke and Leia ringin' any bells?
3  Ooh, juicy.
4  Do you ever feel like a fortune teller with all the vague little blurbs? I sure do. "I see good reads in your future..."
5  Isn't that an oxy moron, "audio book?" *shrug*