City of Glass (2009) by Cassandra Clare is the third installment in The Mortal Instruments series, a climactic urban fantasy where Clary Fray travels to the Shadowhunter homeland, Idris, to save her mother and confront the villainous Valentine. As the war between Downworlders and Shadowhunters escalates, Clary uncovers shocking truths about her family, her latent powers, and her feelings for Jace.
Clare’s worldbuilding peaks here, with Alicante’s crystal towers and demon realms vividly rendered. Though the romantic angst sometimes overwhelms the plot, the final battles and twists solidify this as a fan-favorite entry.
