Although this is my fourth time reading this book, it's the first time I'm reviewing this book. The first time I read this book was in September 2013 as I received it for my 13th birthday. This was two years before my bookstagram, so I didn't review books back then. Now that I've just read it again I've decided to finally do a proper review, which will contain spoilers, and I'm going to try and review it as if it's my first time reading it.

Where do I start with this book? This series was the series that really got me into reading YA and fantasy books so it holds a special place in my heart. Lots of people found the first book hard to get through but I found no such problem. I do remember, though, that I posted on Instagram that I was reading the book and someone commented that Jace and Clary were brother and sister. I remember getting so angry and upset that this massive twist had been spoiled for me. I definitely was not expecting it!

Immediately I fell in love with Isabelle. I'm not going to lie and say she doesn't have her flaws, but she was the first character I loved and she will always be my favourite. I love how she is girly but also fierce at the same time, and God can she fight. She is prickly at the start but I loved how her character developed even in the space of one book and she became more friendly with Clary.

I also loved the relationships between the characters too. Simon and Clary's friendship is golden, and I did feel sorry for Simon, poor guy. However, I don't think they would work as a couple and from the start I loved him with Isabelle when he stayed to eat her soup - that's dedication! I also loved Alec's development. He went from being hostile towards Clary to joking with her at the end - there is still a long way to go, but their relationship is improving. Even though Magnus wasn't in it a lot, I loved his introduction and how when Jace and Clary went back to his apartment, he asked if Jace was the one with the blue eyes. It was sweet that he was thinking about Alec!

The way Valentine was portrayed in the books was very interesting. To find out that he was Jace's father gave him a different light and when they are at Renwick's you can see him two ways: how Jace saw him as a father, and how Clary saw him knowing what she did from Luke. He is such an interesting character because he isn't just a psychopath - he actually believes what he is doing is right, and that Downworlders really are the enemy. This is what makes him realistic because he isn't just crazy; he's smart, and he has a plan. He must've been good once, or else Jocelyn wouldn't have married him. He took advantage of people who were outcasts which makes him seem even more twisted.

One of my favourite parts of the book was Luke telling Clary everything. It was great to see the story from a fresh perspective and from someone who actually knew something, unlike Clary. I felt so sorry for what happened to Luke, and that he had loved Jocelyn all that time. The parallels with him and Jocelyn and Simon and Clary are very similar.

My other two favourite parts were Magnus' party and the fight with Abaddon. Although it probably wasn't very fun for Simon, I did love how he got changed into a rat! It really showed the strength of his friendship with Clary when she risked everything to go to Hotel Dumort to get him back. The fight with Abaddon was also one of my favourite parts because Simon was able to shine and shoot the skylight, and Alec was so happy when he thought he'd killed Abaddon. The way Jace and Isabelle were so worried about him really showed their sibling bond which is really important.

Some of my favourite quotes were: "it's the mortal cup, Jace, not the mortal toilet bowl" that Isabelle said; "you just want to sleep with Isabelle" that Jace said; and Simon saying how when he said "I love you" to a girl he always wanted her to say "I know" back, like in Star Wars. I love what a nerd he is!

Overall, this book hooked me in straight away. I got through it so fast and was left extremely shocked at the end. Now I've read this book four times and it's still a solid 5 stars and my favourite series.