City of Glass

Cassandra Clare (author)

Walker Books, UK: 2009; 541pp

ISBN: 9781406322873

Genres: adventure, fantasy, gothic, horror

Issues: choices, family, friendship, identity, loyalty, racism, trust

The final act of The Mortal Instruments trilogy takes place in the Shadow Hunters' home city of Idris. As Jerusalem is to Jews, Muslims and Christians, so Idris is to the Nephilim: their centre, their beginning and, it seems, quite possibly their end.

Lord Valentine, once idolised amongst the Shadow Hunters, is prepared to use any means necessary to defeat the Clave, the leaders of Idris, and impose his corrupt vision on the world. Clary, coming into her true powers, her birthright, must convince the Clave to ally itself with their traditional enemies - the Downworlders. And in the middle of this is Jace, torn between his father Valentine's conviction and his own beliefs - and his forbidden love for Clary. There are no easy answers, it seems - and loyalties, friendships and alliances will be tested to their limit.

This action-packed finale to Clare's first trilogy is, perhaps, the most interesting of the three. Characters and relationships seem less scripted, more realistic. Whilst there are still breathtaking stunts, dramatic crises and more narrative twists than a snake, there is also greater balance provided by complex relationships, alliances, betrayals and choices. Although still Buffy-esque in its ‘teens kick butt and save the world' theme, Clare does explore the dangers of absolutes as epitomized by Valentine, especially. Segregation brings weakness and prejudice often runs both ways, expressed as arrogant superiority by one group and as envy and resentment by another. Clare's resolution was reasonably predictable within the pattern of the genre but the introduction of the Mark of Cain was unexpected and interesting.

A very readable, entertaining trilogy that will appeal to teenagers.