City of Ashes: The Mortal Instruments, Book 2 (by Cassandra Clare)

In the first book, City of Bones, a complex world of demons, werewolves, vampires, faeries, and Shadowhunters, hidden within our own and filled with politics, factions, and history, was set up and partially explained. CITY OF ASHES won't make much sense without having read the first book. Fans will be glad that author Cassandra Clare wastes no time in recapitulation -- she slams straight into the action.

And there's a lot more of that action than in the first book. It's also a lot bloodier, sometimes unnecessarily, and sometimes disturbingly so, such as when a major character's throat and wrists are slit. But fans of the series will find many of the elements that first drew them in: an engrossing, if melodramatic, writing style that makes the pages fly by; a complex and fully realized parallel world; intriguing mysteries that are more fully fleshed out here, but not yet solved; and appealing teen characters who are gradually discovering new and unusual abilities. Teens who don't mind the gore will find this is gripping sequel.