City of Heavenly Fire
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | May 27, 2014 |
| Founder | Cassandra Clare |
| Products | Young adult fantasy romance novel |
City of Heavenly Fire is a young adult fantasy romance novel authored by Cassandra Clare. It serves as the sixth and concluding volume in the The Mortal Instruments series and marks the twelfth entry in the broader The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Published on May 27, 2014, the story centers on teenage Shadowhunter Clary Fray and her companions as they confront her brother Sebastian Morgenstern alongside his Endarkened Shadowhunter forces. This novel also incorporates characters from both The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices, thereby connecting these related series.
Plot
At the Los Angeles Institute, Shadowhunters endure a sudden assault by Sebastian Morgenstern’s Endarkened army, leading to several kidnappings and losses. Among the captured is Mark Blackthorn, which compels his half-siblings and Emma Carstairs to seek refuge in Alicante.
Meanwhile, at the New York Institute, Maryse Lightwood convenes an urgent meeting in Alicante to discuss coordinated attacks targeting five Institutes worldwide. Clary Fray entrusts Simon Lewis to protective care; however, Simon is abducted by the vampire Maureen Brown. After being rescued by Raphael Santiago, Simon proceeds to join the assembly in Alicante. Concurrently, Endarkened assaults on the Praetor Lupus werewolf pack ignite leadership disputes, which are resolved when Maia Roberts eliminates rival Rufus Hastings to claim pack leadership. Additionally, Maia manipulates vampire clan dynamics by deceiving Maureen into ingesting holy water.
In Alicante, Emma and Julian Blackthorn undergo interrogation with the Mortal Sword; Clary asserts ownership of Heosphoros, Sebastian’s twin blade. The Seelie Queen, allied with Sebastian, demands that Downworlder Representatives side with her; their refusal sparks a battle within Edom, the demon realm. Jace Herondale sustains injuries but manages to restore Brother Zachariah to his original Shadowhunter identity. Following an Endarkened ultimatum requiring Clary and Jace’s surrender, Clary’s group compels the Seelie Queen to transport them to Edom.
Upon confronting Sebastian, Clary pretends to ally with him before stabbing him with Heosphoros. This act temporarily reverts him to Jonathan Morgenstern, who destroys the Infernal Cup prior to his death—ending the Endarkened menace but resulting in the death of Luke's sister Amatis. To escape Edom, Magnus Bane negotiates with his father Asmodeus for his immortality; Simon offers both his immortality and memories as an alternative. The Clave disciplines the faeries for their actions; Emma takes up residence with the Blackthorns. Alec Lightwood and Magnus reconcile their differences.
Several months later, Jocelyn and Luke marry in a ceremony attended by both Shadowhunters and Downworlders. Simon recalls fragments of his experiences within the Shadow World and his relationship with Isabelle Lightwood. Present at this event are also Tessa Gray and Brother Zachariah, further linking this narrative to other entries in the franchise.
Characters
- Clary Fairchild – A young Shadowhunter possessing a higher concentration of angelic blood than most, which grants her the ability to inscribe exceptionally potent and distinctive runes.
- Jace Herondale – A Shadowhunter who, like Clary, is infused with angel blood. Formerly bound by a controlling rune, he now wields celestial fire that flares in response to his feelings.
- Simon Lewis – Once Clary’s mundane best friend, Simon has transformed into a Daylighter vampire capable of walking in sunlight. He is romantically involved with Isabelle Lightwood but also pursued by Maureen Brown, an obsessive fan turned vampire.
- Isabelle Lightwood – A Shadowhunter and close ally of Clary who carries guilt over the death of her younger brother. She is currently dating Simon Lewis.
- Alec Lightwood – Isabelle’s elder brother and Jace’s parabatai. He is coping with heartbreak following his separation from Magnus Bane, his boyfriend from the previous installment.
- Sebastian Morgenstern – The principal villain leading the Endarkened Shadowhunters and Clary’s older sibling. Despite his antagonistic role, traces of the original Jonathan Morgenstern persist within him.
- Magnus Bane – A centuries-old warlock born from a Greater Demon and a Dutch-Indonesian mother. His vast knowledge makes him an invaluable ally to the Shadowhunters. He is gradually mending his relationship with Alec after their breakup.
- Maia Roberts – A werewolf who previously dated Simon Lewis and later reunited with her ex, Jordan Kyle. After Jordan's demise, she becomes entangled in the power struggle between Bat Velasquez and Rufus Hastings.
- Jocelyn Fray – Mother to Clary and Sebastian, infused with both angelic and demonic blood by her late husband Valentine Morgenstern. She is engaged to Luke Garroway, though their wedding has been postponed due to ongoing conflicts.
- Luke Garroway – A werewolf and former parabatai to Valentine Morgenstern; he serves as a father figure to Clary and represents the Downworlders on their council. He is Jocelyn Fray’s fiancé.
- Raphael Santiago – A vampire who reluctantly assists Maureen Brown, leader of New York’s vampire clan; he acts as the vampire delegate on the Council of Downworlder Representatives.
- Maureen Brown – The current head of New York’s vampire faction after assassinating former leader Camille Belcourt. She is fixated on Simon Lewis and aims to claim him as her bridegroom.
- Jordan Kyle – A member of Praetor Lupus and Maia Roberts’ boyfriend, who is killed early during Sebastian’s assault on Praetor Lupus headquarters, resulting in significant werewolf losses.
- Emma Carstairs – A twelve-year-old Shadowhunter orphaned during the Dark War; she shares a close bond with the Blackthorn family and her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn.
Reception
City of Heavenly Fire garnered a range of responses, from mixed to favorable. Common Sense Media awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "an exhilarating farewell," despite its considerable length and detailed character introspection. Meanwhile, Booklist commended the novel as “certain to captivate devoted readers once more,” and Entertainment Weekly emphasized the gratifying nature of its long-anticipated happy resolution.
The review from Kirkus was more ambivalent, pointing out that while the intricate plotlines are tied up, they do not entirely fulfill all expectations. According to the School Library Journal, enthusiasts of the series would probably find the ending satisfying. The Guardian referred to the book as "an ideal conclusion," highlighting its enduring effect on its audience.
In 2014, City of Heavenly Fire earned the accolade for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction at the Goodreads Choice Awards.