City of Ashes

The Mortal Instruments, Book Two

By: Cassandra Clare

Narrated by: Natalie Moore

Clary and Jace must ask themselves if love is worth betraying everything in the “so good, it’s dangerous” (Holly Black) second book in the New York Times and internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. City of Ashes is a Shadowhunters novel.

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go—especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

Critic reviews

"Hold on tight for a smart, sexy thrill ride."
--Libba Bray

the narrator

the narrator was awful, the first book narrator was amazing but not this one, she didn't read everything in the book.

Love the Story. Hated the Narrator.

Would you listen to City of Ashes again? Why?

I would listen to it again as it is a good story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's difficult to pick one favorite as they all have wonderful qualities. I think that Jocelyn Fray (Fairchild) would be my favorite because of her dedication as a mother. She risked her life to protect Clary. She was the perfect example of what a mother should be and I love her for that.

Would you be willing to try another one of Natalie Moore’s performances?

I am forced to so that I can finish the books that she has narrated. I would not listen to any books outside of this series narrated by her.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did get bored with some parts of it, but there were no extreme emotions.

Any additional comments?

I think May Whitman was such a better narrator! I was so disappointed when they changed the narrator to Natalie Moore. I had come to know the characters through May's portrayal of them and I was lost with Natalie Moore. There wasn't a lot of distinction between the characters and I hated how she changed Magnus Bane's voice and accent.

Good book

It's a good filler book from book one to book three. I like the feeling the reader puts into it. Her voices though could use a little bit of work.

Good story but dislikable narration

I like the Mortal Instruments books and this book was good. But the narrator took away from the story. I didn't like the way she pronounced words and her tone. I really enjoyed the narration of the first book and I like the accents. The narrator of the second book should have keep consistent with that.

enjoyed the story, glad for the narrator change

Would you try another book from Cassandra Clare and/or Natalie Moore?

Like the first I enjoyed book 2 in the series and I was happy for the narrator change.