59 pages 1 hour read

Cassandra Clare

City of Bones

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 3, Chapter 21-Epilogue

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 3: “The Descent Beckons”

Part 3, Chapter 21 Summary: “The Werewolf’s Tale”

Chapter 21 is entirely Luke’s dialogue as he tells Clary the history of himself, her mother, Valentine, and the Shadowhunters. Luke, Valentine, and Clary’s mom attended school together, where Clary’s mom and Valentine excelled while Luke struggled. Valentine tutored Luke, who improved with his help, and Luke gave his allegiance to Valentine, feeling like he owed him everything. Valentine similarly helped Hodge, the Lightwoods, and others, and looking back, Luke is sure Valentine was building a cult following. Valentine believed the Shadowhunters were dying out and that their teachers were lying when they said most humans couldn’t survive drinking from the Mortal Cup. He and his followers formed a coalition with the goal to “save the race of Shadowhunters from extinction” (391).

Valentine’s father was killed by werewolves, and after that Valentine became angry and cruel. Clary’s mom felt badly for him, and the two fell in love. After the group graduated, Valentine expanded his mission to include ending all Down-worlders. Sometime later, Clary’s mom got pregnant and confessed to Luke she was afraid of Valentine. Luke spoke to Valentine about her fears, but Valentine brushed them off and invited Luke to hunt werewolves, which was the night Luke was turned.

Related Titles

By Cassandra Clare

Study Guide

logo

Chain of Gold

Cassandra Clare

Chain of Gold

Cassandra Clare

Study Guide

logo

City of Ashes

Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes

Cassandra Clare

Plot Summary

logo

City of Fallen Angels

Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels

Cassandra Clare

Study Guide

logo

City of Glass

Cassandra Clare

City of Glass

Cassandra Clare

Plot Summary

logo

City of Heavenly Fire

Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire

Cassandra Clare

Plot Summary

logo

City of Lost Souls

Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls

Cassandra Clare

Study Guide

logo

Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

Plot Summary

logo

Lady Midnight

Cassandra Clare

Lady Midnight

Cassandra Clare

Study Guide

logo

The Iron Trial

Holly Black, Cassandra Clare

The Iron Trial

Holly Black, Cassandra Clare