And so the story ends with  "City of Glass"

Clare did not disappoint with her final installment of "The Mortal Instruments" books.  I thought…for about 5 chapters…that I was going to hate it. That I was going to finish this series being pissy and agitated and would have to make up my own ending just to satisfy my overactive head,  but FINALLY it turned around.

The book was epic, in that 20 chapters of unadulterated fighting sorta way. I was introduced to even more demons, (One which had a weird resemblance to an old boss of mine.) I learned how to relieve people of those  pesky little problems called hands (with nothing but a whip), and the long awaited prodigal mother returned…only to get an ass chewing from her 16 year old daughter.

I was surprised, pleasantly, by how the "Evil" Jonathan was introduced, and was saddened by his actions while his crazy-half demon-demented self stalked around Idris.  Clare fixed that little "oogie" problem that arose in "City of Bones" and despite my conscience telling me otherwise I actually started to like a pesky, flamboyant 600 year old Warlock.

Overall… I enjoyed it.  It was long; which even my husband noticed considering I spent all day yesterday glued to my Kindle, but at least when it finally came to the end, I actually got a well thought out ending, complete with fireworks and nifty bright pink drinks.

The Clave learned a lesson, The Downworlders and Shadowhunters learned tolerance, and a certain Vampire finally grew into his own shoes.

Who knew I would walk away from these books having learned something…. the most important thing…If someone ever offers you an "Herbal Drink" while your pregnant…kindly decline…and then find the closest exit.

Happy Demon Hunting…. now… what in the world do I read next?

Click Image for full book description

****~ (4/5)

“City of Ashes”…WOW!!!

Yes, I know that’s not a very literarily stunning way to start off a review, but I was honestly lost for words. I LOVED this book. Mash together a very stunning Vamp scene, an awkward bury the dead moment, a masochistic Inquisitor and a Faerie Queen that has a sick sense of humor and what do you get? One wicked game of Demon Battleship.

Yes, “City of Ashes” has a significant amount of angst scenes that were missing from the first book, but anyone with any sort of plot comprehension could see this coming from a mile away, and not without due justice. I don’t think I would have like the book as much if they were missing; the heart of the characters choices would be void and insignificant.

That being said, there was a seriously kick ass fight scene in this book. We are talking “Narnia” meets “Harry Potter” meets “Lord of the Rings” type intensity that had me so wrapped up I refused to put the book down for even basic human needs like… food… or the use of a bathroom after 5 bottles of water.

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to beat a character over the head with a frying pan as much as I did “Jace” in the Epilogue of this book, and I am a little bit surly with the cliffhanger of “Imogen’s” mysterious dying whispers, but that’s life, and that’s why there’s a book three. (Which I am starting immediately.)

Happy Hunting, and remember…if anyone ever says you’re going to the Shadow City…bring a flashlight!

For a full book description click image

****½ (4.5/5)

What happens when you wake up one morning to find out that your entire existence is a lie? What happens when you find out that your mother has blatently and magically deceived you for the past 15 years? Well, you become friends with a Demon Hunter of course. Silly you.

Being kind of disappointed in the last 3 books I’ve read; it was refreshing to actually read something I enjoyed. Yes, it had vampires, and yes it had werewolves which made me kind of giddy, but they weren’t the main focus. The main focus…Demons. Which I have to say, outside of the occasional "Angel" episode, I really wasn’t all that interested in. Until now.

The writing in "City of Bones" was FANTASTIC. The images Cassandra Clare created shot to the front of my mind like a rolling film, clean, clear and in amazing detail. She didn’t dwell on unnecessary crap trying in vain to make herself look knowledgeable of the dark underbelly, she just wrote, she created her own Hellish lands, she added her own unique weapons and Downworlders, which made the book read smoothly from start to finish.

Yes, of course you have your everyday YA plot points, Girl, Boy, Girls best friend which just happens to be a boy. (I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this) but overall, the angsty behavior was believable and… amazingly enough… not what the entire book was about. There was a different story, a good story…a story about Shadowhunters, and rogue Demons. A story about flying motorcycles, secret portals, and a girl who just wants to find her mother. A story that I, the pickiest person on the planet, actually enjoyed.

I will say, just as a disclaimer that I was ooged the crap out but a character change in the last 15% of the book, (Sorry…I won’t tell you what it was because its a pretty major plot point) And I pray to God that Clare rectifies it in the next book. (If not I’m going to have to have some seriously mixed feelings about this author.) But every book has it’s flaws, even the greats…that’s what makes them so memorable. That "flaw" is also what made me start reading "City of Ashes" at 12:45 last night. I think that is a good enough verdict for me.

Read on my happy little Demon lovers…this one’s for you!

For full book description click image

****~ (4/5)