Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #3)

onyxdarkling
Dec 20, 2013
2 min read

With new knowledge about how to release her mother from her coma, Clary is ready to travel to Alicante, the anciet Shadowhunter city built out of glass. Doing so, however, would mean breaking the law, and her brother, Jace, doesn't want her to go - if the Clave finds out that she can create new runes, it could mean trouble. Upon reaching the city, Simon is also imprisoned by the Shadowhunters, who put up a red flag at the idea that a vampire can walk in sunlight. Frustrated, Clary finds a potential ally in Sebastian Verlac, one of the few Shadowhunters who doesn't hold her father's actions against her.

Clary and her friends need to try to convince the Clave to fight Valentine, but doing so would mean teaming up with Downworlders, something most Shadowhunters would avoid at all costs. The Clave is rotten at the core, corrupt officials pulling at the strings of every metting. Clary and Jace also need to learn more about their family and what they really are, learning about the origins of their strange powers.

Aline, a new character we meet, is awful. Maybe that's just because I'm all for Jace & Clary's relationship, but Aline is a little confusing. And annoying. As for Sebastian, the kid blew my mind. In this book, I like how we really get a good look at how messed up the Clave is. Everyone in charge is biased against the downqorlders, and even when it's in their best interest, they're not willing to help them.

Let me just say - at the end of the book we were all very, very happy. (No spoilers.) In the middle of the book it gets a bit boring and pretty slow, but it picks up and overall it was really good. The story and plot is well done and the characters develop well. I also enjoyed the new characters we meet, such as Sebastian and Aline. I think the best part was learning so much about Clary's family. This was a big book in the series, because you learn so much! 4/5 stars. Expect something on the fourth book soon!