- Why is the book divided into three parts? What happens in each part to escalate the tension? How does each epigraph set the tone?
- How do you feel about the book ending on a cliffhanger? Most second volumes in a trilogy seem to, don't they? What do you think will happen next?
- We get a variety of POV characters (all third-person) in this book. Who is your favorite? Who do you wish we'd spent more time with? Why?
- Clary and Jace can't get over each other even though they know they're brother and sister. Is this weird, gross, or romantic? All of the above? Something else entirely?
- Clary leads Simon on, and tells Jace she isn't interested in him even though she is. Why can't she be honest with either of the guys in her life? Who should she end up with?
- Why does Valentine try and recruit Jace? Did he actually think he would succeed, even after trying to kill everyone in the last book?
- Is Valentine truly evil? Are there any parts of his plan you can sympathize with?
- What new powers do Clary and Jace discover in this book? Why do you think they have these powers? What are their limits?
- Valentine's plan isn't actually stopped at the end. What do you think he will try next? Could the gang have done anything different to stop him?