This is the 2nd book in The Mortal Instruments Series and I have to say Cassandra Clare didn't disappoint. I was definitely eager to find out what happened next for Clary and Jace. I think this book had more action and kept me going more so than the first, although I loved the first book. The pace seemed quicker to me and kept me turning pages. Not only are even more characters introduced, certain things happen to the main characters that had me on the edge of my seat. 
 I really liked that Clary is starting to come into her own now and learning that she's a lot stronger than she thinks she is. Her power wouldn't seem to be all that important, but Clare makes it so that it's a necessary and empowering ability to have and I'm definitely all for showing that the lead girl isn't someone who needs to be saved all the time. There isn't much romance in this series in the way of kissing and intimate scenes, but you can sense the emotions and ongoing tension of the "love triangle" and I found myself jumping back and forth from Team Simon to Team Jace! But, of course, Jace just has that aura about him that makes you want him and Clary to be together, however weird and supposedly "incestuous" that may be. The mystery of "are they or aren't they brother and sister" still isn't solved in this book and Clare does a good job of throwing you off here and there to keep up the suspense. There were quite a few deaths in this book and you see the other characters starting to struggle more and more with their own issues and the looming war with Valentine. 
 Clare still does a great job describing all the demons and the scenery so that definitely someone with a better imagination than mine can easily visualize to their liking. At some points it seemed as though it was a little too detailed, but that's just her way and I appreciate her attention to it. I was also pleased that there were fewer typos and confusing sentences as compared to the first book, again, not really her fault, so it made the book more enjoyable. 
 I'm very eager to read City of Glass and see how it all ends!