City of Ashes

City of Ashes is the second novel in the six-part Mortal Instruments series. The Mortal Instruments itself is part of author Cassandra Clare’s larger Shadowhunter Chronicles universe. In this universe, magical creatures such as warlocks, vampires, demons, and fairies are real, hidden from the eyes of mortals through “glamours.” An ancient race of demon-hunters, called Shadowhunters or Nephilim, protect the world from malevolent demons and maintain the order of the universe.

In the 11th century, the world was overrun by demons who had violated the wards between dimensions. Jonathan, the first Shadowhunter, invoked the help of the archangel Raziel. Raziel gave Jonathan three angelic objects known as the Mortal Instruments and his blood to partake in a cup, which granted Jonathan angelic powers. Jonathan used his own blood to create new Shadowhunters. Thus, all Shadowhunters claim angelic descent. Shadowhunters are trained in magic from the age of 10, and receive runes or Marks—angelic symbols—on their bodies as they move up the ranks of training. The Marks protect them from demons and provide Shadowhunters with special powers, such as speed and stealth.

In City of Bones, the first novel of the Mortal Instruments series, the protagonist, 15-year-old Clarissa (Clary) Fray is unaware of her Shadowhunter origins. Clary has been brought up by her mother Jocelyn in New York City as a “mundane” or a mortal. Though Clary can see magical creatures, such as the Downworlders, Jocelyn has had the warlock Magnus Bane place a block in Clary’s mind, which makes Clary forget what she sees. After Jocelyn disappears from their home, Clary searches for her mother with the help of her mortal best friend Simon and meets the Shadowhunter teenagers Jace, Alec, and Isabelle. Jace tells Clary she is a Nephilim, since the stele—the instrument with which Shadowhunters draw runes on skin—does not hurt her.

Clary learns that the rogue Shadowhunter Valentine Morgenstern has stolen the Mortal Cup, one of the Mortal Instruments. Valentine formed a group called the Circle a few decades ago, which planned to overthrow the Clave, the governing body of the Shadowhunters. Idealistic Shadowhunters joined the Circle hoping for a revolution, but Valentine’s real goal was to massacre Downworlders, whom he considers impure. The Circle disbanded, and Valentine temporarily fled.

Jocelyn, Valentine’s wife, was part of the Circle. Sensing Valentine’s return, Jocelyn placed a spell on herself to fall into a coma, so he cannot access her memories. With the help of Simon and Jace, Clary finds the Mortal Cup and locates her unconscious mother. Valentine tells Clary and Jace that he is their father, which means the teenagers—romantically involved by now—are brother and sister. Valentine takes the Cup from Clary. Clary goes to live with Lucian (Luke) Graymark, a werewolf, while Jocelyn is admitted to Beth Israel Hospital.