Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and other Downworlders - or against them. Meanwhile, Jace and Clary have their own decision to make: Should they pursue the love they know is forbidden?

This book so far in the series was my favorite. I liked everything about it. We get a little of everything in this book.

Lots of suspense, twist and turns, action, humor and romance.  We learn a lot of new things, meet new people and a lot will be answered. We also see more of the other clans of the downworld.

I think this book was supposed to be the final installment in the series and you can tell how everything just comes together perfectly in the end.

But of course most of the book we get heartbreak with war, clave politics and even some big losses in the war.

The Clave of course thinks that they still know what is best for the Shadowhunters and of course acts on that but that is not always the best as we have learned in the past. They are very stuck in their old ways and really dislike change, any change.

Clary has come a long way since book one where she learned about this new world. She finally knows what she can do and embraces it even more. While she might not be the strongest fighter, she still is a very strong shadowhunter. Clary was not always my favorite person, but I really like who she has become, throughout her many trials and errors. She still has some TSTL moments but overall has much improved.

Jace, is still kind of going through a dark patch in this book but being Jace he fights through it and does what he does best. Fight for the ones he loves. I loved that he comes to terms with his feelings and actually verbalizes them. And not even in his typical snark. No, we got some really beautiful and heartwarming moments with Jace in this book.  We also learn some surprising things about him and his past. He also had some great growth throughout the series so far.

The Lightwoods, take a major hit in the family, but that does not keep them down. No, it makes them stronger in a way. Love Izzy and Alec, also love that Alec has become more open about his feelings. I wish that would be the same about Izzy abut a certain person.

There are some things happening to Joslyn, we get learn a lot more new things about Valentine as well. About both of them and their past. Of course we learn even more about his plans and why and how far he is willing to go and how far he already went.

Simon there are a lot of things happening to Simon again and yes he always has a thing for getting caught in trouble somehow. Some things are stil in the dark and could use some answers about him.

Luke, we get a great deal of Luke. He is actually a major player in this war and how to stop it. I really like what we see of him and how far he also has come and how he seems to be growing more and more back into the shadow- world as a downworlder and trying to unite them all.

Overall, great book loved every minute of it and really looking forward to see what happens next in the series.

I rate this book a full 5 ★

Some of my favorite quotes:

“And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?" His voice tightened. "And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching.”

***

“Not everything is about you," Clary said furiously.

"Possibly," Jace said, "but you do have to admit that the majority of things are.”

***

“People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.”

***

“Did you ever think that in a past life Alec was an old woman with ninety cats who was always yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off her lawn? Because I do,”

***

“Have you tried talking to her?"

"No. We've been punching her in the face repeatedly. What? You don't think that will work?”

***

“I have a fetish for damsels in distress.”

“Don’t be sexist.”

“Not at all. My services are also available to gentlemen in distress. It’s an equal opportunity fetish.”

***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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?”

***

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it’s hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary’s mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.

But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…

I was meaning to get to this series for a long time now, I finished The Infernal Devices series a couple years ago and loved it. I just got sider tracked and busy before I now finally get to this series.
I must admit I have seen the movie and started watching the TV show so I somewhat knew what is going on in this first book. But the book is always a little different than the movie and even more so with the TV show.
I must say I did enjoy the characters way more in the books, we get to know much more about them and the multiple POV gives us a good glimpse of everyone’s doing and emotions.
I started out not being a huge fan of Clary but ended up liking her more and more. Considering what all was thrown at her she really handled it well and adapted really quickly. I’m curious how she continues to grow.
Jace, I liked book Jace soooo much better, so much more depth to him, also can see a vulnerable side of him. He also has a wicked sense of humor… which I like.
The whole Clary /Jace thing I knew was coming but still not like it. I’m curious to see how it plays out
Alec and Izzy. Not a fan of Alec and his high horse but I’m pretty sure that will change along the story lines. I always loved Izzy though just something about her that I always liked but can’t really pinpoint.
Magnus. I really enjoy him and was kind of disappointed that we only see him for a brief time in the first book and hope we get to see more of him all together throughout the series.
While I knew most of the twist and turns coming I still enjoyed it since we get it a bit different. Overall I really enjoyed this book and the fight of good versus evil, with nephilims, vampires, wolfs and more.
The only dislike I sort of had was that in the beginning everyone was anti Clary but in the end all was magically forgiven almost, and okay and justified. It seemed a bit too easy for me that everyone just turned the leave on it .
I’m looking forward to book two that I have handy since I bought the box set and I’m hoping that I can binge read them now, plus the other books will be more of a surprise to me.
I rate it 4 ★

Some of my favorite quotes:

 

“Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?'
Jace said, "Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
..."At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”
***
“Can I help you with something?"
Clary turned instant traitor against her gender. "Those girls on the other side of the car are staring at you."
Jace assumed an air of mellow gratification. "Of course they are," he said, "I am stunningly attractive.”
***
“Don't." Clary raised a warning hand. "I'm not really in the mood right now."
"That's got to be the first time a girl's ever said that to me," Jace mused.”
***
“Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side.”
***

 

 

    I was really nervous about starting City of Heavenly Fire. My love affair with the Mortal Instruments series has been very rocky. I absolutely loved the first few books, but the last two especially were not anywhere near as good as I was hoping. It had me honestly starting to feel like maybe this should have only been a trilogy because my interest level started waning big time after that. But I've already come so damn far, and I really had to know how it all ended, so not without some reservations, I started this book. I am so glad I gave it a chance. City of Heavenly Fire reminded me of most of the things that I love about this series. It reignited my love for these characters and the incredible world of the shadowhunters and downworlders.

   There were lots of alternating POVs in COHF. We got a peek into most of our favorite character's heads, and a few new ones. I loved getting to meet Emma Carstairs, she was young but very feisty. I loved her spirit. The Blackthorns were definitely an interesting bunch as well. I am so excited to hear that Emma and the Blackthorns will be getting their own spin-off series coming out next year. I will definitely be checking that one out. I was glad to see a lot of the characters exhibiting behavior that made me like them all in the first place. Things there got sketchy for awhile in the previous two books, but I'd say turned around a lot in this book.

  LOTS of stuff went down in this book. I don't want to give anything away so I'll keep it very brief. Obviously you already know that this final book is a lot of what has been building throughout much of the series, war. And naturally in a war, there are going to be casualties, so we do see some great and not so great characters be laid to rest in this book.

There were moments of shock and loss, and likewise moments of great strength, bravery and small and large victories. One of the things that I really enjoyed the most was the theme going on here that there isn't always just black and white. There can be various shades of grey. It becomes nearly impossible to categorize anybody as all good or all evil. Sometimes the good guys have to do some horrible things in the name of what is right, and sometimes the bad guys aren't only that. There many quotable moments in COHF, here are a few of my favs....

   "Heroes aren't always the ones who win," she said. "They're the ones who lose, sometimes. But they keep fighting, they keep coming back. They don't give up. That's what makes them heroes."

   "Weapons, when they break and are mended, can be stronger at the mended places," said Jace. "Perhaps hearts are the same."

   "She had thought once that there were good people and bad people, that there was a side of light and a side of darkness, but she no longer thought that. She had seen evil, in her brother and her father, the evil of good intentions gone wrong and the evil of sheer desire for power. But in goodness there was also no safety: Virtue could cut like a knife, and the fire of Heaven was blinding."

  "We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss."

  "The road map of their bravery and hopes, their dreams and desires, marked clearly on their bodies. Shadowhunters weren't the most forthcoming of people, but their skins were honest."

  "Magnus's eyes darkened. "I'm sorry," he said. "The wishes of our hearts are weapons that can be used against us. Fight, Alec." He touched Alec's face. "This isn't what you want, this dream. Demons don't understand human hearts, not well. They see as through a distorted glass and show you what you desire, but warped and wrong. Use that wrongness to push yourself out of the dream. Life is loss, Alexander, but it's better than this."

   I thought the ending of this series was done quite well. It finished feeling kind of bittersweet, but that was fitting. There was also a lot set up here for the future spin-off series, which I think will be a very interesting story. So while it's a little sad to say goodbye to these characters, I do think it's time. I am just glad that this final installment brought back a lot of the love that I had for this series as a whole. I am happy to leave on a good note.

In letzter Zeit hinke ich mit meinen Rezensionen hier etwas hinterher. Das heutige Buch habe ich schon vor ein paar Monaten gelesen, aber die liebe Zeit … ich habe zu wenig davon!
Doch genug des Wehklagens, begeben wir uns also zu:

City of Bones von Cassandra Clare, dem ersten Buch aus der Reihe The Mortal Instruments bzw. zu dt. Die Chroniken der Unterwelt

Clary dachte, sie und ihr bester Freund Simon würden einen ganz normalen Abend im Club Pandemonium verbringen. Ein wenig tanzen, feiern und das normale jugendliche Leben genießen. Doch dann sieht sie wie ein Teenager von drei anderen ermordet wird und sich anschließend vor ihren Augen in Rauch auflöst. An diesem Abend ändert sich für Clary alles, denn nun muss sie erkennen, dass neben ihrer bekannten Welt eine ganz andere, düstere Welt voller übernatürlicher Kreaturen existiert, und dass sie irgendwie mit ihr in Verbindung steht. Doch die einzige Person, die Klarheit schaffen könnte, Clarys Mutter, wird entführt, bevor Clary die Chance hat, Antworten zu bekommen.

Gehört hatte ich von dieser Buchreihe schon irgendwann zu Harry Potter Zeiten, konnte mich aber nie genug dafür begeistern, als dass ich tatsächlich auch zu dem Buch greifen wollte. Ausschlaggebend war letztlich der anstehende Kinofilm, der in der Werbung gar nicht mal so übel erschien. Da ich nicht gerne unvorbereitet in Buchverfilmungen gehe dachte ich mir: jetzt ist es an der Zeit City of Bones in die Hand zu nehmen. Hätte ich es mal lieber sein lassen …

Diese neuerliche Episode von »moya versucht sich an einer Jugendbuchreihe« hat mir eindeutig den Rest gegeben und meine Zuneigung für Jugendbücher endgültig gekillt. Nicht nur, dass etliche »Ideen« schlicht und ergreifend aus anderen Werken wie Angel Sanctuary, Harry Potter und sogar Star Wars geklaut sind, nein, jede Anwandlung interessanter Handlung wird auch schon wieder von dieser tausendfach durchgekauten Liebesdudelei mit künstlichem Dreiecksdrama erstickt. Immerhin, das muss man Cassy Clare lassen, selten hat mich ein Buchende so gefrustet wie dieses. Ist ja auch irgendwo eine Leistung.
Es gibt auch ein paar gute Punkte bei City of Bones. Die Charakterzeichnung ist an sich ganz gut gelungen und versucht möglichst liberal alle Themen einzufangen, die so einen Jugendlichen interessieren könnten, aber wer schon sehr viele Bücher gelesen hat und allgemein in dem Genre nicht neu, der wird Schwierigkeiten haben sich mit den ganzen »Inspirationen« aus Drittwerken anzufreunden.

Den Film habe ich mir nach der Lektüre dann nicht mehr ansehen wollen, durch die beiden Folgebände habe ich mich dagegen tatsächlich noch durchgekämpft. Ob aus purem Masochismus oder völligem Unglauben, dass das ernst gemeint sein soll, kann ich bisher nicht sagen …

Die noch milde ausgefallene Rezension (mit mehr sachlicher Argumentation - *hust*) gibt es wieder bei Bibliotheka Phantastika.