City of Heavenly Fire brings Cassandra Clare’s series, The Mortal Instruments to a close in an explosive final book. After having to wait for a few months in order to be able to read it, the only thing I can confess is that it does not disappoint.
Sebastian is winning. Shadowhunters are being turned as institute after institute is attacked. He seeks to destroy the Nephilim and their downworlders alliances, destroying those who not only stand against him, but those who have the potential to stand against him in the future. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. But total destruction isn’t all that he desires; his love for his sister and the companionship offered by Jace means the two teenagers are in even more danger than everyone else. Sebastian doesn’t want them dead; he wants them alive.
Understanding her brother better than anyone, Clary knows they were in a hopeless situation. For all of his claims, Sebastian has no idea the true meaning of love and it is that emotion that has them all clinging to each other. Clary’s relationship with Jace only strengthens while Simon and Isabelle start to come to terms with the fact they do feel for each other. Despite the heartbreak of the final book, there even seems to be a glimmer of hope for Magnus and Alec.
But it was never going to be that straightforward. When Sebastian kidnaps representatives of the downworlders along with his own mother, Clary, Simon, Jace, Isabelle and Alec find themselves venturing where no shadowhunter has gone before in order to pull off a rescue mission. They know it is suicidal and there will be a cost to braving a demon realm, but it is the only thing they can think of that will stop the shadowhunters from completely surrendering to their enemy. Little did they know what the cost would be.
Just as gripping as the other books, the final in the series has many heartstopping moments. A true page-turner as you race through the demon realm with the heroes, praying they have a way of stopping Sebastian once and for all. There are twists and turns throughout the whole novel; nothing is ever predictable when it is Clare writing. After events of previous books, the knowledge that not all of them might make it keeps the reader right on the edge of the seat as the final battle draws closer.
Clare has a way of writing that really draws you into her worlds.
The character development throughout the series is really shown in this last book with the sacrifices the characters are prepared to make; sacrifices they wouldn’t have even dreamed of before. The change has been gradual, but now it comes to an end you realise how far you have travelled with them.
An astonishing series. I’m sad to have come to the end of it but looking forward to tracking down more of Clare’s books. Her writing style is gripping and engaging, leaving the reader just wanting more.
A Rambling Reviewer 