City Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Okay, apparently it's my one-month anniversary since I've last blogged. Hurrah!...um, wait, that's wrong, right? *Scratches head bashfully and nudges ground with toe* Soooorry, guys. I've been all in my fanfiction stage--which I still am in, thankyouverymuch, and have 5 stories complete, two still in the workings--and other stuff, so, blahblahblahexcusesramblingsblah. You get the jist of it.

City Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

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.

Originality- 10/10

Characters- 20/20

Remembrance- 9/10

Setting- 18/20

Plot- 19/20

Ending- 7/10

Recommend To Read- 10/10

Total- 93/100

Grade- A

I remember, looking back, seeing these books on the shelves and thinking they kind of looked...macho. So, I wonder if it's strange, that these books are probably my second favorite series of all time? ...Maybe.

The one problem in this book that surrounds my brain like a crazed little fairie trying to stab my brains out is how Clary is so, how I like to put it, "Bella-Retarded". She isn't as tactless and innocent as Bella is--or was, but now is not the time nor place--but she still does stupid things, and I mean stupid, to help out. Unlike Bella, though, it actually works sometimes. What can I say? It must run in the Morgenstern blood, because Jace can be as much of an idiot.

Another thing that bothers like a tiny dull ache instead of a full blown mythological-creature's assault on my cranium is how I feel about Jace and Clary's relationship. I'm...okay with it. Maybe it's because I've been increasingly accepting of relationships of all types lately, or maybe it's because Jace and Clary are so good together. I mean, it would be better if they weren't (sorry, spoiler-alert, but you should know this information already as this is the review for the second book), y'know, siblings with both parents. It would screw up the plotline and angst hugely, but wouldn't it be better is they were only half-siblings or something? I dunno. Just my opinion. Either way, they should just get over being so "Bella-Retarded" and go suck face or whatever Shadowhunter couples do. A passionate demon killing pree with a view? Um...yes...?

This series continues to blow my mind in the most awesome of ways. Also, there was a quote in there that I am in love with--and I don't mean a character quote, sorry--that was, I think, the quote for the first part of the book, "I believe I am in Hell, therefore I am"? Yeah, I think. I don't know if there are deeper meaning for that but it sort of reminds me of, "You are what you eat".

Sorry, off topic. What I was trying to say is that I truly don't think that I have read any books as creative as this series. It never ceases to amaze me how real everything is, and whoever the POV is in, I feel like I'm a part of them and I understand most things they say or do, though I know that I could never be that smooth or cool. Darn Shadowhunters and Downworlders get all the fun.

If you love fantasy and/or romances with a tad of incest--though that makes it sound dirty, when it's not...--then I guarentee that no matter how much you resist or hide away in a cave, this book will follow after you and you'll fall head over heels in love with it.

Love you all!

Tay-Toe (a.k.a. on fanfiction.net, the mighty Balandria!)