There are things I absolutely love about this books and then there’s Jace. References and relationships that made my heart flutter and then there’s Jace. Killer plot devices and action sequences. And then there’s Jace.

Let me start by saying it’s not as serious of a hate as I’m painting it out to be. Jace just infuriated me throughout this whole book and Clary simping and accepting this broken communication without truly actively trying to do something about it without getting shouty didn’t help.

I love all the sub-plot romances that are going on in this. I love the introduction of new characters, the new insights we get into downworlders, the cute petty arguments Alec is mumbling over from cover to cover, the girl boss trio of Maia, Izzy and Clary, the continuation of Simon’s band stuff, and all the things going on with Jace like his quippy dialogue and interactions with Kyle and Simon that are true to his character from City of Bones. The wedding prep is adorable, the fact that Luke is finally able to marry the woman he’s loved for half his life is deserving of all the love and appreciation, and the fact everyone is able to still do their shadowhunter (and downworlder) stuff with everything else going on makes this a great book. Even the subtle miscommunication between Kyle and Maia, Simon and the girls, and Alec and Magnus is palatable. I just can’t deal with the miscommunication between Jace and Clary.

Jace’s tortured boy act goes on for so long and there’s no way that Alec would be oblivious to Jace’s struggling. He would be there trying to get him to talk it out to him, if not because they’re brother, then because they’re parabati and Jace’s hurt is Alec’s hurt. I get that the fact Clary doesn’t impart a very important fact to Jace is driving a lot of this (Jace would 100% be smart enough to realise what he didn’t to do to get better had he known sooner). I genuinely thought Clary was at a point where she wouldn’t take Jace’s wallowing and snarkiness. Again, had Clary actually learnt more about being a shadowhunter through the books or through others, maybe she would have been the one to realise what needed to happen sooner. This conflict between them is perfect for the plot and for future books but I just wish there was some more sense between the two.

The main plot though – wow. What a fun time! Love that Simon plays such a significant role in this book considering the other main players are dumb, lovestruck, angsty balls of mess. Raphael, no matter how morally grey he is, is a favourite of mine. No idea what he’s doing or who he’s siding with but he’s brightening up my day by just being here so I will not ask question. The action within the end portion was great, 10/10 would read again material and the truth behind what this book’s most significant plot point is had me so excited for the last two books. I remember why I loved this series as a teen now and I appreciate the fact that my younger self skipped over all the annoying plot details to get to this point.