City of Ashes is the second book in The Mortal Instruments series, a fantasy series set in New York City and written by Cassandra Clare. The book was listed as one of YALSA's top ten teen books in 2009.

Background

City of Ashes is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series. It was published by Margaret K. McElderry, which is a division of Simon & Schuster. The book's sequel, City of Glass, was released in March 2009. The cover of City of Ashes shows the character Clarissa Fray.

Plot

Clary returns to the Institute after receiving a message from Isabelle "Izzy" Lightwood. The message says that Jace has angered the Inquisitor, Imogen Herondale, and is now imprisoned in the Silent City. He is waiting for a trial using the Soul Sword, which is part of the Mortal Instruments, along with the Cup and the Mirror. The Cup can create new Shadowhunters, while the Sword forces Shadowhunters to tell the truth. Valentine, a villain, killed the Silent Brothers to take the Sword.

Clary, Izzy, and Alec go to the Silent City to help Jace but arrive too late. Clary frees Jace by using a powerful version of a rune she sees during her panic. The Inquisitor and other Shadowhunters then accuse Jace of helping Valentine.

Magnus Bane is called to the scene by Alec. Magnus agrees to keep Jace in his apartment while others try to learn Valentine's plans. Magnus and Alec have grown closer and even went on a date, as described in the Bane Chronicles, a companion book to the series.

Jace is offered a chance to visit the Queen of the Seelie Court. Clary, Izzy, Simon, and Jace ask the Queen to help them fight Valentine. The Queen says she is unsure but mentions her court knows secrets, like how Jace and Clary are the result of Valentine’s experiments. Confused, the group leaves.

Clary is tricked into eating faerie food and can only leave by kissing "whom she most desires." Simon offers to kiss her, but the Queen says he is not the one she desires. This hurts Clary, who has been trying to date Simon to forget her feelings for Jace, her brother. Clary and Izzy suggest the kiss might be with Jace. Though reluctant, Jace kisses Clary, freeing her. The kiss proves Jace is the one she desires, which upsets Simon. Jace and Clary confess their love, but Clary is torn because they are blood relatives. Jace suggests keeping their relationship secret, but Clary says it would eventually be discovered.

Later, vampire Raphael arrives at the Institute with Simon, who is dying. Simon had tried to become a vampire after drinking vampire blood as a rat but was attacked and turned into a vampire. Clary becomes upset about Simon’s new status and ignores Jace. While discussing how to tell Simon’s mother about his transformation, Maia, a werewolf, arrives with serious injuries. Magnus heals her while Luke checks outside for demons. Luke is attacked and badly hurt. Clary, Jace, and Simon fight the demons, who flee after seeing Clary’s rune, which she received in a dream from her mother.

They return to the Institute and talk about the rune Clary used to free Jace. Everyone believes runes can only be made by angels, but Clary is dared to create a new rune. She makes a "Fearless" rune, which works on Alec. When Alec’s parents and sister arrive, Alec tells them he is dating a Downworlder, but Magnus stops him from revealing the truth. Alec acts nervous, making his family think the rune worked.

Everyone decides to sleep, but Jace secretly meets Valentine on a ship. Valentine offers to protect Jace’s loved ones if Jace joins him. The next day, the Inquisitor imprisons Jace again, planning to trade him for the Sword. Jace tries to warn her, but she refuses to listen and plans revenge on Valentine for killing her son.

While traveling to see Simon, Maia is attacked by a demon disguised as her dead brother. Valentine kidnaps her. Clary and others rescue Maia with Magnus’s help, but Valentine drains Simon’s blood. Jace restores Simon’s life by giving him his own blood. The Inquisitor sees Jace’s scar and begins to suspect his parentage but is interrupted by a demon attack. She saves Jace before dying, confusing him.

Meanwhile, Valentine kidnaps Clary on his boat and threatens her with the Sword. Jace and Simon rescue her, and Valentine admits Jace fought him only because he loves Clary more than a sister. Clary draws a rune on the boat, causing it to explode. She is saved by nixies sent by the Queen. Simon discovers Jace’s blood made him a "Daylighter," a vampire who can walk in sunlight. After talking with Luke about love, Clary decides to tell Jace she loves him. However, Jace says he will only be her brother, breaking her heart. Clary meets a woman who claims to be a friend of her mother and says she knows how to wake Jocelyn.

Characters

• Clarissa Adele "Clary" Fray: Clary is a regular human who discovers a secret world of Shadowhunters—supernatural warriors who fight demons. She learns she is one of them, her father is Valentine Morgenstern, a famous villain, and her friend Jace is both a Shadowhunter and her brother. This discovery changes her life, forcing her to use her new powers and face the dark secrets of her family.

• Jonathan Christopher "Jace" Wayland: Jace is a Shadowhunter, a warrior who fights demons. He is also the son of Valentine Morgenstern, the main antagonist of the series. Jace struggles with his identity and his connection to his father. He can be arrogant and reckless, but he cares about his friends and family. He is willing to risk his life to protect them. He is one of Clary's love interests.

• Alexander Gideon "Alec" Lightwood: Alec is a Shadowhunter who struggles with his feelings about being gay, which is not accepted in his society. His relationship with Magnus Bane, a warlock, causes problems because of his bond with his parabatai, Jace, and his family. He learns that Jace has feelings for Clary, who is revealed to be his sister. Clary, a normal human, enters the world of Shadowhunters after her mother disappears.

• Isabelle Sophia "Izzy" Lightwood: Isabelle is a strong and powerful Shadowhunter known for her bravery. She is also a rebellious daughter who often challenges authority. It is unclear how her sense of duty and independence balance each other, but she is a complex character.

• Valentine Morgenstern: Valentine, who was believed to be dead, returns to destroy both Shadowhunters and Downworlders. His return surprises everyone, and he is seen as a dangerous enemy because of his skills and charm.

• Jocelyn Fray: Clary’s mother falls into a magical coma to protect her daughter from Valentine. This prevents Valentine from using a magical object, the Mortal Cup, to harm Clary.

• Maryse Lightwood: Maryse is a strong Shadowhunter, but she has a hidden past. She was once part of the Circle, a group of Shadowhunters who were influenced by Valentine. Her past actions affect her family in City of Ashes. She also struggles with her son Alec’s sexuality, which causes conflict between them.

• Robert Lightwood: Robert is a member of the Circle, a group of Shadowhunters who were influenced by Valentine. This revelation greatly affects his family and the Shadowhunter community.

• Max Lightwood: Max is the youngest child of Maryse and Robert Lightwood. He is the brother of Alec, Isabelle, and Jace. He is very young and does not play a major role in the story. However, he is a kind and innocent child who is loved by his family.

• Imogen Herondale: Imogen is an Inquisitor who travels to New York to investigate Valentine’s son. She is driven by a desire for revenge.

• Simon Lewis: Simon is Clary’s nerdy, ordinary friend. He eventually joins Clary and the Shadowhunters because of his feelings for her.

• Magnus Bane: Magnus is the High Warlock of Brooklyn. He helps the Conclave to support Alec.

• Luke Garroway: Luke was Valentine’s former parabatai before he became a werewolf. He is a close friend of Jocelyn and helped raise Clary.

• Maia Roberts: Maia is a member of Luke’s New York werewolf pack.

• Raphael Santiago: Raphael is the leader of the New York vampire clan.

• Seelie Queen: The Seelie Queen is the ruler of the Seelie Court of the Fair Folk.

• Meliorn: Meliorn is the Seelie Queen’s personal knight and advisor. He has a past connection to a member of the Lightwood family.

Reception

The Duluth News Tribune praised City of Ashes, describing the book as "gripping." The School Library Journal also praised the novel, comparing it to "watching a particularly good vampire/werewolf movie." Kirkus Reviews enjoyed the book but noted that some readers might find the book's portrayal of family relationships upsetting. Common Sense Media gave the book four stars, calling it "gripping" but warning parents about the violence and possible references to family relationships that could be upsetting. Seventeen Magazine gave a positive review, describing the book as smart, funny, and romantic.

Cancelled film adaptation

The movie based on the second book in the series, The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes, was going to be made in 2014, but it was not made.