This book really surprised me in a good way! I was kind of afraid I was not going to like it, as there seem to be so many people with very loud opinions on this series, plenty of them not particularly positive.
However, there is of course also an enormous fandom who does love these books with a fiery passion, so in some way it should not come as that much of a surprise to me that I turned out to really like it as well. I mean, do not get me wrong, it isn't a masterpiece by any means, and neither is it one of my favourite books by a long mile, but I do think it is a great start for a world I could see myself getting lost in.

The plot was interesting with more than enough twists, and I generally like and already somewhat care for the characters. Not all of them are fleshed out as well as I would like (namely: Alec, Isabel, and Magnus), but they all have plenty of potential and so I am hoping their character development will come with the later books.

Anyway, long story short, I am really glad I gave this book a (long overdue) chance, and I am even more glad that this book has made me so very excited to continue reading with City of Ashes!