CITY OF BONES Read-Along: Chapter 23 & Epilogue

In honor of the movie coming out in theaters on August 21st, I have decided to join the City of Bones Read-Along. If you haven't read this book, now is the perfect opportunity! Especially if you're planning to see the movie. If you would like to join, click here for more info. NOTE: If you haven't read the book, please beware of spoilers in the Read-Along posts. There will be quotes and chapter summaries, as well as my own thoughts on certain events that occur within the story and I don't plan on holding back.

Okay guys, it's officially the last day of the Read-Along! I hope you're not too upset. The good news is that with the read-along wrapping up, it just means that we're super close to the premiere of the movie! 9 DAYS to be exact. And I know you're all just as excited as I am ;)

Chapter 23: Valentine

Summary:

Valentine asks Jace who is in the room with him. Jace replies with Clary's name and then Valentine asks her where she got the blade. When Valentine asks to see it, Clary refuses but Jace takes it from her and hands it to Valentine. He tells her that this dagger happened to be one of a pair. Clary soon realizes that Jace truly did believe that Valentine is his father. Valentine then tells Clary that her name isn't one he would have chosen, not outright saying that he's her father but subtly showing her that he knows. And it's because of Jace that he isn't saying it. Clary tells him that he's not Jace's father; Michael Wayland is and everyone knows it. Valentine tells her that they only thought he was Michael Wayland's son. The conversation becomes heated and Jace jumps in, asking Clary to listen to Valentine. But Valentine has given Jace false information about Hodge being the one who wanted the Cup all along and Clary knows better. She repeats the events that transpired in the library as she saw it happen. Jace grows upset and tells Clary not to talk to his father like that. Clary responds by saying "He's not your father!" Jace doesn't understand why she won't believe him and Valentine steps in saying that it's because she loves him. Realization dawns on Clary that Jace is her brother Johnathan Christopher; Jace is a nickname for J.C. Valentine then explains to Jace that his mother isn't dead and he knows this because Clary is his sister. Jace refuses to believe it until Valentine tells his side of the story. Clary sits listening to him, as she grows more sickened by him with each word that came out of his mouth. Valentine suggests they return to Idris through the Portal. Clary refuses but Jace agrees. They hear a crash downstairs, then Luke enters the room bloodied. Luke and Valentine argue and then begin to fight. Clary explains to Jace that Valentine was wrong. Her mother loved him; she didn't abandon him--she thought he was dead because Valentine made it seem so. Valentine then stabs Luke in the chest and Clary races across the floor to him just as Valentines sword makes its way down again, this time toward Clary. There's a loud clang and Valentine no longer holds his sword. Jace had thrown his dagger, knocking it from Valentine's grasp. Clary asks for bandages for Luke but Valentine refuses. Clary's rage boils over and she tells Valentine off. Valentine has Jace escort Clary away from Luke even though Clary protests. Clary and Jace argue which ends with Jace stopping Valentine from killing Luke and telling Valentine to leav and threatening to kill him if he doesn't. Valentine steps through the Portal and vanishes, breaking the glass and the Portal along with it. Jace blames himself for Valentine's escape with the Cup.

Epilogue: The Ascent Beckons

Summary:

Days have passed and Clary's mother is in the hospital. She still hasn't woken up. Clary visits her mother again, finding Brother Jeremiah in the room along with Luke. Brother Jeremiah says that he cannot help her mother and leaves. Clary talks to Luke for a moment and then leaves again with Simon. He drops her off at the Institute with a light kiss on her cheek. She meets Isabelle first who gives her a tight hug. Alec finds the two of them talking in the entryway and Clary expresses her relief at seeing him alive. Alec offers to take Clary to the greenhouse where Jace is. The apologize to each other for the things they said to each other the night they argued. She continues on into the greenhouse alone and finds Jace sitting on the bench holding a piece of the mirror that held the Portal. He tells her he can see bits of Idris in it. Clary suggests they go to see their mother together--if she hears his voice, she might wake up. Jace agrees and leads her to the roof where a flying motorcycle sits. They climb on and take off into the sky.

We've officially come to the end of the book! And what a ride it was. I really can't wait to see this on the big screen! What about you?