Set in New York, and described as funny, smart, and romantic, with disturbing undertones, City Of Ashes is the second thrilling installment in the fantasy series for young adults, titled The Mortal Instruments. As the book reveals, Clary is now living in Luke’s house as her mother is in a coma. After returning to the institute, she learns that her brother Jace has been imprisoned in the Silent City. Jace has recently discovered that their father Valentine has killed the Silent Brothers in order to get the Mortal Sword. Clary frees Jace, and together they try to garner support against Valentine, and predict his next step. When they are invited to the court of the Queen of the Seelie Court of the Faeries, Clary, Jace, Simon, and Isabelle, attempt to convince her to help them defeat Valentine. The Queen ponders over lending her support, and also mentions that her court is privy to deeply guarded secrets. Having discovered the truth about her past, and with her father, the rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, intent on spreading wilful destruction in the world, Clary is drawn into New York's daunting underbelly, rampant with demons, werewolves, and the sinister Shadowhunters. She is, however, determined to save the world, by thwarting her father’s evil intentions. While Valentine takes control of two of the Mortal Instruments, he begins gathering an army of demons to wage war on the council of Shadowhunters, so as to destroy them once and for all. In the wake of this battle, Clary must face her father along with her most dreaded fears - and also deal with her deep rooted feelings for her own brother. City Of Ashes has been praised by the publication world for its gripping plot, and named one of YALSA's top ten teen books in 2009. Plans to film a movie based on the book, titled, The Mortal Instruments: City Of Ashes are underway, and the film is scheduled for 2014. About Cassandra Clare Judith Rumelt, who writes under the pen name Cassandra Clare, as whom she is best known, is an American author who wrote the acclaimed series, The Mortal Instruments. She has authored many books including, City Of Bones, City Of Glass, City Of Fallen Angels, Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess. Initially writing fan fiction inspired by The Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter, she eventually carved a niche for herself as a writer of young adult fiction, contemporary, and urban fantasy. Born on July 27, 1973, in Tehran, Iran, she travelled frequently when she was younger, spending time in France, Switzerland, and England. She completed her high school from Los Angeles, and worked with various entertainment journals there, including The Hollywood Reporter. It is here that she began writing novels under her pen name, many of which, were bestsellers, and went on to win several teen category awards. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband, and three cats.