The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this book as compared to the previous 3 books. First few pages in and I was already invested with Simon's Arc. I didn't expect that I would enjoy this book because, in my mind, I was already convinced that the story had already ended in book three. I was wrong. The adventure continues and made even better now that the world is already established.

I mentioned in my post about the previous book that I hoped Clary's character would develop in this book, and that was precisely what was given to me. Gone was the girl who was helpless, who always needed rescuing. Clary has become someone who made the right choices, and someone who could fight for herself. I have always been attracted to strong female characters and maybe that's why I loved Isabelle and I disliked Clary in the first three books. But with her learning how to be a Shadowhunter in this book made her shed out her damsel in distress persona, and I really dig that.

And the ending, WOW, I was at the edge of my seat, gripping the book with shivers running down my spine. I had goosebumps! It wasn't a Rick-Riordan-Cliffhanger but it made me look forward to reading the next book, City of Lost Souls. This book is better than the first three books in my opinion and I can't wait to read book five to what happens next! 

RATING: ❤❤❤❤❤