“You might want to lie down," Magnus advised. "I find that it helps when the crushing sense of horrible realization sets in.”

I want to like this book, I want to like this series but honestly I'm struggling. I think I had really high expectations of what I thought this would be and I've been let down. The characters are just awful, admittedly I hate them a lot less than in the first book but I honestly can't with Jace. I want to feel bad for him but there are zero things that make him redeemable. There isn't much in the way of character progression either, and that may be down to the fact this book takes place pretty soon after the first book.

As for plot...there isn't really one. The main focus of the hunt for Valentine whilst he continues to collect the Mortal Instruments doesn't drive this story like it should. To me it felt like a bunch of stuff happening around the main story then suddenly we're at the final act.

Against my better judgement I am going to persevere, I've been told that the last three books in the series are better than the first three. I'm so in intrigued by this world she's created I don't want to quit just yet.