The Mortal Instruments Trilogy

I read the first book, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, this past summer while on vacation.  I enjoyed it and picked up the second book, but got distracted by thriller writer Tess Gerritsen.  Recently I finished the second book, City of Ashes and the final book, City of Glass.  I was a bit confused when I started up again, because I've been reading so much YA fantasy lately that some of the characters and story lines had begun to bleed together in my mind. But it didn't take long to get back into the rhythm of the story.  The book follows average New York girl Clary as she discovers that the life she knew before was based on lies.  She is a Shadowhunter, humans with angel ancestry.  Shadowhunters protect the world by slaying demons, and they don't much like Downworlders (werewolves, vampires and fairies).  Soon Clary is running for her life after her mother is kidnapped, and torn between best friend Simon and bad boy Shadowhunter Jace.  And then she finds out that not only in her father alive but a real baddie to boot.  And to add insult to injury, soon after her first kiss with Jace, they discover they are brother and sister.  So begins the so wrong but so tempting Flowers-in-the-Attic love story... just joking.  But it is a bit icky for awhile.  There's lots to enjoy in this series, the werewolves are pretty awesome, the vamps are dangerous and the fairies are kind of bitchy and tricky (no sweet Tinkerbells here). Clary and Jace's baddie daddy is named Valentine, which I love.  In fact, I love all the names in this book, Clary is my new favorite.  I really don't want to give much away, if you like YA fantasy/adventure/romance/fairytale then odds are you'll like these books.  Just don't wait so long between book 1 and 2 like I did!

The Mortal Instrument Trilogy by Cassandra Clare gets a Midnight Book Rating of 10:30pm,  they aren't the best books I've ever read, but I like the story and I like the vast majority of the characters.  And now that YA books are as grossly priced as any other book, no matter size and content, you get quite a bit of story for your 10 bucks.  Plus if you've ever rooted for Luke and Leia to hook up, then this series is for you.