CITY OF BONES Read-Along: Chapters 19 & 20

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.

Chapter 19: Abbadon

Summary:

They finally have the Mortal Cup. As Clary holds the cup, Dorothea exclaims that it is damaged and takes a step toward it. Jace draws his blade and tells her that no one touches it but the Shadowhunters. Dorothea then suggests they take the Portal, and jerks the curtains down revealing that it's open. Something black comes out of the Portal and strikes Madame Dorothea. The rush through the door into the foyer, the black thing following them. The thing calls himself Abaddon and demands they hand over the Cup or die. Instead of giving it up, they fight. Just when it looks like they would lose the battle, Simon walks in and shoots an arrow from Alec's bow shattering the skylight. The demon crumples to the floor. Clary thanks Simon and Jace rushes to Alec's side attempting to heal Alec's wounds. Unfortunately he's been poisoned and the Marks don't work. The take him back to the Institute where Hodge can help him. Clary walks into the infirmary. She sees Isabelle but not Jace. She then goes to the library and finds Jace filled with guilt. He knew that Alec wasn't acting like himself but his only thought was for Clary when he saw the Greater Demon. Hodge walks in to announce that healing Alec is beyond his abilities--the Silent Brothers must be called. He then says that it's a shame they didn't get the Mortal Cup to which Clary exclaims that they did. Hodge puts his pen down and looks in awe. He then commands the bird to attack Clary and take the Mortal Cup. He twists the ring on his finger three times, summoning Valentine. He hands Valentine the Cup and Valentine lifts the curse from Hodge. He then vanishes, taking Jace with him.

Thoughts:

Whoa... what? Hodge is working for Valentine? Again? And now Valentine has Jace?? But what could he want from him, you ask? I guess you'll just have to read on to find that out ;)

Chapter 20: In Rats' Alley

Summary:

Clary is trapped in an invisible cage, begging Hodge to let her out. When he refuses, Clary calls Hodge a coward. He throws the letter he was writing into the fire. He tells Clary to get as far away from the Shadowhunter life as possible--to leave the Institute and never come back--and walks out. Clary flings herself against the invisible barrier over and over again but it doesn't budge. She remembers Jace's stele and brings it out of per pocket. She draws a rune on the invisible wall and breaks free. She chases down Hodge, finding him in an alley. He tells her she shouldn't have followed him and he attacks her. Before the weapon could hit her, a wolf comes to her rescue and it's clear from what Hodge says to it that he knows it. They fight and the wolf comes out alive, though injured. It then turns to Clary. She attempts to run but it clamps down on her leg. She hits her head, going unconscious. When she awakes, she finds Luke walking down the hallway toward her. She tells him to get away from her, but noticing his wound she forgets to be afraid of him. It is then she realizes he's a werewolf and it was him in the alley. Clary tells him that Hodge handed Jace over to Valentine, along with the Mortal Cup. She asks Luke if her mother knew he was a werewolf, and it is then he decides that he should tell her the entire story from beginning to end--beginning with being born a Shadowhunter.

Thoughts:

So Hodge left Clary in an invisible cage, Clary was able to escape using Jace's stele, she confronts him in an alley, he attacks her, a wolf comes to her rescue, and said wolf just-so-happens to be Luke? Wait, what? Yep. You read that correctly. Luke, who Clary thought had abandoned her, just came to her rescue. But that doesn't sound like abandonment, does it? And we still don't have our answer to the huge question asked in the previous chapter: what does Valentine want with Jace? Only 3 more chapters left!! Just thinking about all that happens in those chapters has me on edge. It seems like it should be longer! Luckily we'll know the answer to the Jace question within those chapters. And believe me, it's a doozy.

Do you have anything you'd like to add/share about this chapter?

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Happy Reading!