Tessa Gray has found a home at the London Institute, where a small group of Shadowhunters is trying to find out more about the dark plans of the mysterious Mortmain, who wants Tessa’s shape-changing powers for himself. At the beginning of this book, another Shadowhunter challenges Charlotte’s ability to run the Institute, and the little “family” is given only a short time to defend her.

As Charlotte and the young people under her charge soon find out, there are more questions than answers about Mortmain the deeper they look into his past, and more threats to their safety and that of Tessa, from surprising sources. Tessa desperately wants to know who she truly is and WHAT she is (human? Downworlder?), and at the same time, she finds herself drawn to the quiet and kind Jem, even as she still battles the feelings she has for the handsome but troubled Will.

This second book in the Infernal Devices series answers a few questions but leaves readers wanting more. Cassandra Clare has created an irresistible world full of fantasy, intrigue, mystery and, yes, love.

Rated: Moderate. The language is minimal, and the violence and gore isn’t quite as heavy as it is in other books. The main reason for the moderate rating are the three or so scenes of passionate kissing; the characters don’t go much farther than kissing, but the scenes feel quite lusty.