City of Ashes

Finished February 20
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
This is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series that began with the City of Bones. We rejoin Clary Fray in New York City as she still tries to find a way to release her mother from the coma she is in. Clary has discovered that she is a Shadowhunter, although she still needs training to be good at it. Clary struggles with her feelings for Jace, her newfound brother, and tries to be closer to her friend Simon. She is staying with Luke, a friend of her mother's and a man who has been a father to her. Meanwhile, her real father, Valentine is busy trying to muster an army of demons to defeat the Clave and become the most powerful man on earth. Can Clary and Jace stop him? When he obtains the second Mortal Instrument, the Sword of Souls, they realize what he is trying to do and work to figure out his location and plan to keep their loved ones safe.
Seeing into the world of vampires, werewolves, and fairies, keeps this story fresh. We see how the Downworlders and the Shadowhunters must work together to defeat this enemy that threatens them both.
A good read, with lots going on, and new developments for Simon, Jace, and Clary.