Book Review: City of Glass

City of Glass

 (The Mortal Instruments #3)
By:  Cassandra Clare
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date:  March 24, 2009

Page Count:  541

But it at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

Source:  Purchased by Reviewer

  Audience:  Young Adult - Fantasy

 

Thus far, I think City of Glass is still my favourite of all the Mortal Instruments books (including the newer installments). I love this world more and more with each time I read them.

The joy of rereading these books is knowing how it all ended in what was supposed to be the last book in this trilogy (which we all know has since been extended), letting me relax more and enjoy the ride -- specifically with the Clary and Jace story-line.

I knew we were in for an epic battle and that is what we got in City of Glass. With the tension building to a crescendo, the climactic ending did not disappoint! All of the major plot lines were resolved in the end, and it left me feeling very satisfied... but still wanting for more.

I found all the characters matured realistically and wonderfully -- specifically Clary, Jace and Simon. Although, I am still left with the feeling that Jace is still a little bit of a lost soul and unsure of who he really is now that he knows his biological roots, which also explains one of the many reasons why we needed more books in this series. But I loved how, despite his believing he had demon blood in him, he had a hard time reconciling his feelings of loving someone, being empathetic, and of doing the right thing because how can he be a product of demon blood and still maintain his humanity? He was honest -- all the time -- even though it did not appear that way. The intensity of his feelings for Clary, even when they were very taboo for most of the story, was simply off the charts.

Simon's metamorphosis was really quite astonishing from early City-of-Bones-Simon to Vampire-Simon at the end of City of Glass. At first, I was not crazy about the idea of our lovable Simon becoming a vampire but he really came into that character beautifully, and stayed true to his previously human self.

However, it was Clary's transformation from the beginning of the story to the end that impressed me the most and was really quite extraordinary. Although she still had her insecurities, even in the end (which is understandable, as I don't know a human being who is not insecure about something of themselves), she always stayed true to her convictions, especially when faced with the alternative of losing any one she ever loved. Sometimes her convictions exasperated those around her (*cough* Jace), she never wavered (overtly anyway). Her determination did not always look like it was going to work out for her, but she trusted in herself and it most often did work out well in the long run. She was a great protagonist.

Of course, Magnus Bane cannot NOT be mentioned. He was colourful, wise and vulnerable all at the same time and was always there helping the shadowhunters when they needed him (and even when they did not need him). He used to joke about being paid for his services (and I don't doubt that he WAS paid), but I get the feeling he would do it for free, as his long history with them and his relationship with Alec, made him emotionally invested in their lives.

Every one character had their own motivations for their fight, and that served to enrich the story and make us 'feel', even a bit, for the villains too.

Valentine definitely goes down in my books as one of the most hated villains ever, with his son coming in closely behind. His plan to rid the world of demons and downworlders was diabolical and cruel -- and often at the expense of those that were once close to him, or his own daughter. His son showed the potential to be just as ruthless, if not more.

The way that Cassandra wrote the 'good' versus the 'bad' and making the lines blurred in between, was simply brilliant. It made me think and not draw my own conclusions too hastily, and it made the story and the characters more real for me.

One of those 'blurred' instances was that it really made a lot of sense to me is that the Clave, indeed, needed cleaning out -- just not in the manner that Valentine had planned. Segments of the shadowhunter community were indeed corrupt, and in general, needed to be brought more up-to-date with the times, while still remembering their mandate of what they were charged to do by the angel, Raziel.

One of my favourite and perhaps most poignant scene that really resonated with me was when Clary and Jace found the angel Ithuriel locked in the basement of the Wayland Manor. It evoked so much emotion in me -- I can't explain it -- but it was just such a powerful scene (that also ended literally with a bang)!

City of Glass was an awesome ending to an amazing trilogy!! It was an exhilarating, emotional, heart-stopping story. I cannot say enough good things about it! And I would gladly give it more birdies if there were more to give! And the best part is that this was NOT the end afterall! 

Summary:

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?
Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.