I really enjoyed the world building in this book. Cassandra Clare definitely throws you in the deep end with all of the countries, charter families, and unfamiliar terms (i.e. ashkari, gematry, etc), but once you get a handle on all of the key terms everything falls into place eventually with repetition and context clues. 

The cultures felt complex and rich, and Clare does a good job of immersing the reader without spoon feeding you. 

The book still has some of the classic Cassandra Clare one liners, but generally I’d say the tone of the book is more serious than the shadowhunters were. That’s probably because Kel’s a less sarcastic MMC than Jace or Will. 

Memorable Quotes:

“Kel glanced down and took on a slightly greenish tinge.“I see you’re seasonings me like a chicken”
“The herbs will keep infection away. And don’t look”

“He thought again of Antonetta, all those years ago. She had not wept for lost toys, he thought. She had wept for all the ways things were going to change, that she did not want to change”

“Kel sighed. “I’d take your place in this, too, if I could.”
Connor leaned his head against Kel’s shoulder. His hair tickled the side of Kel’s neck; he was deadweight, like a sleeping child. “I know,” he said. “I know you would.”