City of Ashes is a definite improvement over City of Bones. Cassandra's writing improved over the year between the 2007 and 2008 publication dates. I am always intrigued by how descriptive she is with her characters, story line, and settings. In City of Bones this seemed to drag the story down somewhat but in City of Ashes not so much. I looked forward to this aspect of her writing in City of Glass when she helps us travel to Idris. Please Jace, don't leave without Clary!