City of Ashes continues the story of Clary and her newfound family; wishing her family would be ‘normal’ again won’t make it happen. Her mother is in a magically-induced coma, her best friend Simon wants romance, and her new-found father (Valentine) is hunting Downworlders. When the Soul-Sword is stolen, the Inquisitor arrives to investigate and places the blame on Jace. Clary must work to prove his innocence and stop the murder of Downworlder children. The series is set in New York City, but she doesn’t rely on location to further the story. The second in the trilogy is just as well-written and past paced as City of Bones; Clare does a great job of giving all characters (even minor ones) great depth and the writing is sharp.