City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

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City of Ashes
by Cassandra Clare
(Audio)

The second Mortal Instruments book picks up exactly where the first left off. Clary still has an insane crush on Jace (who she know knows is her brother!). Alec still isn't out to his parents (though he's clearly mad for Magnus Bane, high warlock of Brooklyn), Clary's mom is still in a coma (and her dad is who knows where, working on plans to turn the whole world into his own army of shadowhunters), Simon is wishing it was all over, and we venture into the Institute again.

When Jace is taken to the Silent City for investigation by the Inquisitor (who clearly has beef with him because of his father) and the Silent Brothers in the city are slaughtered, it's up to Clary to get him out. Lots of confrontation and investigation leads to a showdown with none other than Valentine, this one bigger and better than the first book. And we find out that Clary and Jace have amazing gifts they didn't even realize they had. Oh, and did I mention that dear Simon is turned into a vampire? I completely didn't see that coming!

This book does a great job of raising the bar and expanding a world that was already well painting in the first one. So much more is added, so many more levels uncovered, and just when you think you have it all figured out, there's enough left for you to feel deep down that there's still a long way to go. All the best books are like that. For as many questions as are answered, more are raised.

I also like how, even though the Lightwoods are back home, there's still a lot that the kids had to do on their own (in proper YA fashion). Still, then and Luke (and pack!) can be counted on when needed. Valentine, however, can only be counted on to do morally bad things he thinks are correct.