City of glass by Cassandra Clare

Walker Books, 2009
(Ages 14+) Clare has come up with a very satisfying and gripping conclusion to her magical The Mortal Instruments series. Clary, still on a quest to find a cure for her mother who is in a coma, enters the City of Glass to find chaos and war. She confronts the evil Valentine who has to be overcome or the world will be devastated. Can the Shadowhunters put aside their mistrust of the Downworlders and combine with the werewolves, vampires and faeries in a fight to the end? In the meantime, Clary has to make decisions about her forbidden love for Jace and the love that Simon bears for her. And who is the mysterious Sebastian?
This final book in the series is a great read. There is plenty of action for those who love adventure and the romance thread is very well written. Clary is no wimp - she is a strong leader, with special powers, who does what she has to make the world safe for everyone. The other characters in the book are equally compelling and make the story well worth reading.
City of glass had enough surprises, twists and turns to keep me guessing about what would happen next and the ending was very rewarding. This is a series that I suspect I will return to reread - certainly it is one that I will keep on my shelves. I look forward to reading the next book that Clare writes.
Pat Pledger