Ranking: Title: City of Ashes Series: The Mortal Instruments , #2 Author: Cassandra Clare Published: March 25, 2008

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.

Okay. I  really had a hard time finishing this book. The story, for me is a little bit slow, but I won't refrain myself in telling that there are some glimpse of something that may change whatever we thought the story ought to be. I was really intrigued in the Inquisitor's final realization, to bad she died before the readers knew what she was thinking! Oh! And what where her final words to Jace anyway?! I was really left hanging in there. Askimg the same question Jace had asked "What?" Hahhaha!

Anyway, even if the book's story is a little bit slower compared to the pace of 1st book, I still find myself enjoying it. It was a good story for me. It makes me want to finish the 3rd sequel as well. Hahhaha... :)