Hey there, fellow adventurers! Are you ready to step into the mythical realm of City of Glass (the third book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare), the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters? Well, buckle up because Clary Fray is about to take us on an epic journey through the heart of this enigmatic city, where danger lurks at every turn and breaking the Law could mean certain death.
First things first, Cassandra Clare has this incredible knack for sucking us right into the heart of her world, and City of Glass is no exception. From the bustling streets of New York City to the mysterious city of Alicante, Clare’s vivid descriptions and rich world-building make you feel like you’re right there alongside Clary and her friends, battling demons and uncovering secrets.
As for Clary, our fearless heroine is back and ready to take on whatever challenges come her way. From grappling with her newfound powers to facing off against her villainous father, Valentine, Clary proves time and time again that she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even when the odds are stacked against her.
Clary, determined to save her loved ones and confront her villainous dad, Valentine, decides to throw caution to the wind and venture into the forbidden City of Glass. Clary knows she has no choice but to defy the rules, even if it means putting her own life on the line.Who needs rules when you’ve got a world to save, right?
But, of course, things can’t be that easy. Instead, Clary’s greeted with the harsh reality that stepping foot in the city without permission is like asking for a one-way ticket to trouble. And when Jace, her supposed rock, doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for her, it’s like adding insult to injury.
To make matters worse, poor Simon finds himself in the slammer, courtesy of the Shadowhunters who are eyeing him with suspicion because, well, he’s a vampire who can soak up sunlight like it’s nobody’s business. Talk about a tough break!
Amidst the chaos and danger, Clary finds an unexpected ally (or so she thinks) in the mysterious Shadowhunter, Sebastian. Together, they delve deeper into Clary’s family history, uncovering secrets that could change everything they thought they knew about themselves and their world.
As Valentine gathers his forces to unleash destruction upon the Shadowhunters, Clary and her allies realize that their only hope of defeating him lies in joining forces with their eternal enemies, the Downworlders. But, can centuries-old animosities be set aside in the face of a common threat? And as Jace grapples with the depths of his feelings for Clary, will she be able to harness her newfound powers to save the Glass City, no matter the cost?
With twists and turns at every corner, City of Glass is a gripping tale of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love. So, grab your stele and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure alongside Clary and her companions as they fight to save their world from destruction.
Does City of Glass get our stamp of approval?
Engaging Plot: Does the book have a compelling storyline that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end? Just like the book prior in the series, we couldn’t stop reading once we started. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in the following books – thank God this is a series (and a long one at that).
Well-Developed Characters: Are the characters multidimensional, with realistic motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story? It’s still hard to picture these characters at the ages they are. However, we can’t help but fall farther in love with our main crew (Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Alec, and Magnus). We suppose as a way to offset our strong ties with some characters, Cassandra Clare had to make other characters we can’t stand (cough cough Sebastian) and kill off a few we were just starting to get to know.
Strong Writing: Is the prose well-crafted, with vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and a consistent narrative voice? The writing just keeps getting better as we get sucked into the story more.
Emotional Impact: Does the book evoke a range of emotions in readers, from laughter and joy to sadness and empathy? The emotions are rich and multi-faceted. Sometimes it feels as though we might explode if we don’t keep reading because we need to know more to get our own emotions under control (which sometimes takes reading over 50 pages). Other times, however, we had to take short breaks to cry it out.
Originality: Does the book bring something fresh and unique to its genre or subject matter, avoiding clichés and predictable plot twists? This book, and subsequently this series, is set up to be extremely unique. There isn’t much else out there quite like this. Cassandra Clare did a great job executing her vision.
Pacing: Is the pacing of the story appropriate, with a good balance of action, exposition, and character development? We can’t think of a single flaw regarding the pacing – we were hooked the entire time.
World-Building: Does the book create a richly imagined world that feels immersive and believable? If we could move to the world this took place in, we would. Well, with a growing list of conditions.
Theme and Message: Does the book explore meaningful themes and deliver a message that resonates with readers? There were so many different meaningful themes and concepts that we are wholeheartedly diving into. From friendship to love to perseverance, we can only wonder what becomes of them in the following books.
Resolution: Does the book provide a satisfying resolution to its central conflicts and story arcs?
It’s a good thing the fourth book is already released. We would have gone crazy waiting otherwise.
Overall Enjoyment: Most importantly, did we enjoy the book? Absolutely. We will be reading it again, and bet it’s one you’ll read several times too.
Have you read City of Glass yet?
If you’ve read City of Glass, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read it yet, are you going to?
