 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
City of Ashes: The Mortal Instruments, Book 2
- By Cassandra Clare
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
City of Bones sequel is gripping but a lot gorier.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is a lot of gory violence here -- more so than in the first book. This installment includes throat and wrist cutting, dismemberment, stabbing, severed limbs, and more, all with lots of blood. There are also mild sexual references, including to incest and homosexuality, and some kissing. Teens who didn't read the first book will be confused by this one.
What's the story?
In this sequel to City of Bones, Clary continues to be torn between Simon and Jace; an Inquisitor, who has an agenda of her own, comes from the Clave to investigate Jace's relationship to Valentine; and Valentine gathers an army of demons to destroy the Clave. And if none of that makes any sense to you, that shows that you need to read the first book before tackling this one.
Is it any good?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the trend toward gorier violence in the genre. Is it necessary?
Is reading about fantasy violence different than realistic violence? What about reading violent scenes versus seeing them on a screen?
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Parent of 14 year old
August 27, 2009
AGE
Great for adults, use discretion for tweens, not appropriate for children
Again, a lot of "minor" curse words and one gd word. Plot was excellent, but would have been just ass good without the language.
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Parent of 13 year old
March 1, 2011
AGE
really good one of my fav a really good seris of books. nail bitter on every page esspecially at the end of each book!!!!!!
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Teen, 13 years old
September 1, 2009
AGE
Loved it
very good loved the book
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Teen, 14 years old
April 17, 2009
AGE
Love It! Cant Wait to Finish!
Oh my gosh what can I say? This was wonderful! I love all the characters, the story, the everything. It just keeps getting better and better. Yes, I must admit, since it is a fan based book, it gets a little obvious where Miss Clare gets her ideas from. But i don't care anyway because I love this series.There are some good twists and turns. It's a page turner, and you'll be flipping through to get to the last book. Actually, i already started it, so my I'll be reveiwing that one soon.
Anything to worry about? Nothing really, unless you freak out about a vampire craving blood and well, a girl who is madly in love with her brother, who's relationship somehow someway, will to work out.
Trust me,these books are SO worth reading!!
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Teen, 14 years old
January 12, 2009
AGE
Modern Literature
This book is wonderfully written, using a wide variety of sentence structures and delicious words. While this book my include homosexuality, gore and a hint of incest, they're all things that your child is going to grow up around anyway (blame your generation for the state of ours).
Not only is it well written, this book has an intricate plot, believable characters and a logical conclusion to everything. It's a must read for EVERYBODY!
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Teen, 15 years old
May 21, 2011
AGE
Perfect for teens and adults!
Jace and Clary...a wonderful couple and I would love to live in the world of Shadowhunters my self! :)
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Teen, 13 years old
October 3, 2010
AGE
Hurrah!
This was one of the many sequels That could be read and re-read on it's own. It may be a bit more violent (SPOILER ALERT) because of Sebastian, but it was amazing
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Kid, 11 years old
July 20, 2010
AGE
luv it!!!!!!!!!!
read it when i waz 10 and loved it!~ reread it a month ago and luved it!!!!!!!!!! so if ur 10 or up read it!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Teen, 15 years old
June 30, 2010
AGE
just amazing. the first one depressed me but someone convinced me to read the second. at first i was like "oh great another one." but this one was so good! if youu hated the first one dont give up on the series. this one is better
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Kid, 11 years old
July 20, 2010
AGE
luv it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
read it, reread it, read it again, and again, and again........repeat
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| Author: | Cassandra Clare |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | March 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 453 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 13 - 13 |
| Read alone: | 13 - 13 |
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