City of Ashes
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Cassandra Clare |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Urban fantasy novel |
| Website | shadowhunters |
City of Ashes represents the second entry in the The Mortal Instruments urban fantasy saga authored by Cassandra Clare, set against the backdrop of New York City. This novel earned a spot among YALSA's top ten teen books of 2009.
Background
Serving as the follow-up in the Mortal Instruments collection, City of Ashes marks the first release under Margaret K. McElderry, a division of Simon & Schuster. Its continuation, City of Glass, debuted in March 2009. The book’s cover prominently displays Clarissa Fray.
Plot
Following a warning from Isabelle "Izzy" Lightwood that Jace has incurred the wrath of the Inquisitor Imogen Herondale and is confined in the Silent City awaiting judgment by the Soul Sword—a Mortal Instrument compelling Shadowhunters to reveal truth—Clary returns to the Institute. Valentine murders the Silent Brothers to seize control of this Sword.
Clary, Izzy, and Alec respond too late to a distress signal from the Silent City. Clary instinctively crafts an enhanced opening rune, enabling her to liberate Jace. The Inquisitor accuses him of collaborating with Valentine. Alec summons Magnus Bane to detain Jace while they delve into Valentine’s schemes. The evolving relationship between Magnus and Alec is further explored in the Bane Chronicles.
Jace receives an invitation from the Seelie Queen to attend her court. Accompanied by Simon, Izzy, and Clary, he seeks her support against Valentine. The Queen hesitates and reveals hidden truths about Jace and Clary’s origins tied to Valentine’s experiments. Clary is deceived into consuming faerie food, which binds her to remain until she kisses "the one she desires most." When Simon’s attempt fails, Jace’s kiss frees her, affirming his role as her true desire and complicating their presumed sibling bond. Simon responds with pain and anger; meanwhile, Jace and Clary admit their love but debate whether to keep it secret due to their blood relation.
Vampire Raphael arrives at the Institute carrying Simon, who is near death following his transformation triggered by ingesting vampire blood while in rat form. Simon is interred but soon resurrects as a vampire. Distracted by Simon's change, Clary neglects Jace. Maia, a werewolf, appears gravely wounded; Magnus heals her as Luke investigates demonic disturbances outside. Luke is attacked; Jace, Simon, and Clary confront demons that retreat when Clary’s rune is displayed.
Back at their residence, they analyze Clary’s unique rune used to free Jace—remarkable because runes are traditionally created by angels. Boldly, Clary designs a "Fearless" rune tested on Alec during a tense family gathering, successfully erasing his memory of his relationship with Magnus.
Jace secretly meets Valentine aboard a ship; Valentine offers protection if Jace sides with him in Idris. The Inquisitor subsequently re-imprisons Jace, intending to exchange him for the Sword as retribution for her son’s death caused by Valentine.
Maia suffers another demon attack from an entity impersonating her deceased brother before Valentine abducts her. Clary and her allies rescue Maia with Magnus’ assistance, though Valentine drains Simon’s blood beforehand. Jace revives Simon using his own blood just as the Inquisitor arrives. Observing Jace’s star-shaped scar that hints at his lineage, she saves him from a demon but later dies under mysterious circumstances.
Valentine kidnaps Clary; aboard his vessel he threatens her with the Sword. Jace and Simon mount a rescue; Valentine reveals he understood that Jace’s allegiance stemmed from love for Clary rather than sibling loyalty. Clary destroys Valentine’s ship through an opening rune and is saved by nixies sent by the Queen. The group escapes; Simon discovers he has become a "Daylighter," a vampire capable of tolerating sunlight thanks to Jace’s blood.
After contemplating love and regrets with Luke, Clary resolves to confess her feelings to Jace despite potential repercussions. Before she can speak, Jace insists he will only treat her as a brother, shattering her hopes. Subsequently, she encounters a woman who claims knowledge on how to awaken Clary’s mother.
Shadowhunters
- Clarissa Adele "Clary" Fray: An ordinary young woman who uncovers her identity as a Shadowhunter—elite warriors battling demonic forces. She discovers that her father is the antagonist Valentine Morgenstern and that her friend Jace is both a fellow Shadowhunter and her sibling. This revelation compels her to accept her abilities and face her family's troubling history.
- Jonathan Christopher "Jace" Wayland: A multifaceted Shadowhunter and Valentine Morgenstern's son. Wrestling with his heritage and personal identity, Jace exhibits arrogance alongside deep loyalty, prepared to risk everything for those he cares about. He is one of Clary’s romantic interests.
- Alexander Gideon "Alec" Lightwood: A Shadowhunter navigating his sexual orientation within a traditionalist environment. His romantic involvement with the warlock Magnus Bane introduces complexity to his parabatai partnership with Jace and affects family relationships, particularly after Clary’s true lineage is revealed.
- Isabelle Sophia "Izzy" Lightwood: A formidable and headstrong Shadowhunter recognized for her independence and strength, constantly balancing responsibility with rebellion.
- Valentine Morgenstern: Presumed dead but later revealed as a formidable foe intent on eradicating both Shadowhunters and Downworlders through his cunning and persuasive influence.
- Jocelyn Fray: Clary’s mother who entered an enchanted coma to shield Clary from Valentine’s reach, thereby preventing him from seizing the Mortal Cup.
- Maryse Lightwood: A resilient Shadowhunter with a past linked to Valentine’s extremist Circle. She grapples with the repercussions of her former affiliations while coming to terms with her son Alec’s sexuality.
- Robert Lightwood: Also identified as a former Circle member, his past actions significantly impact both his family and the broader Shadowhunter society.
- Max Lightwood: The youngest member of the Lightwood family, still a minor figure but deeply loved by his relatives.
- Imogen Herondale: An Inquisitor motivated by vengeance, investigating Valentine’s offspring in New York.
Mundanes
- Simon Lewis: Clary’s nerdy best friend who becomes involved with the Shadowhunters driven by his affection for her.
Downworlders
- Magnus Bane: The Brooklyn High Warlock who supports the Conclave on Alec’s behalf.
- Luke Garroway: Once Valentine’s parabatai, now transformed into a werewolf and trusted ally of Jocelyn who helped raise Clary.
- Maia Roberts: A member of Luke’s werewolf pack based in New York.
- Raphael Santiago: The leader of New York’s vampire faction.
- Seelie Queen: Monarch of the Fair Folk’s Seelie Court.
- Meliorn: The queen’s knight and trusted advisor with connections to the Lightwood family.
Reception
The Duluth News Tribune described City of Ashes as "compelling". The School Library Journal compared it favorably to "an exceptional vampire/werewolf film". Kirkus Reviews expressed enjoyment but cautioned readers about "incestuous undertones" that could be unsettling. Common Sense Media granted four stars, commending its engaging storyline while noting scenes of violence and potential incest. Seventeen Magazine characterized it as "intelligent, humorous, and romantic".
Abandoned Movie Adaptation
A cinematic version of The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes was scheduled for release in 2014 but was ultimately discontinued.