The Mortal Instruments series, by Cassandra Clare

I recently finished the fourth installment of Clare's Mortal Instruments books: City of Fallen Angels.  However, it would not do to discuss the book by itself as it is part of a phenomenal bestselling urban fantasy series.  So, I am going to discuss the story thus far.  Clary is a teenage girl who lives with her mom in modern-day New York City.  She goes to comic book shops with her best friend.  She loves drawing.  However, one night she discovers that there is a lot more to herself and her background than she was aware of: she is a Shadowhunter, one of a clan of human beings with angel blood running through their veins.  The Shadowhunters' duty in life is to keep track of demon activity and send them back to Hell when they venture onto the surface of the Earth.  They also monitor the Downworlders: vampires, werewolves, warlocks, etc., all of whom they regard as social inferiors.  Clary finds herself in the middle of a brewing battle between these supernatural beings while trying to learn more about herself, her mother, and her newfound powers.  I absolutely love these books!  I initially thought they were going to be rather trashy (I thought they were going to be another Twilight rehash) , but I picked the first one up from the library and I could not put it down.  The books are written for the young adult audience, but adults can enjoy them too!  The characters are very strong and likable (or un-likable, as the case may be, but in the right way), the story is well-crafted and well-told, and all of the themes that some young women and men are interested in today are present.  There is adventure, mystery, magic, a higher power, a greater cause, romance, humor, and intrigue.  I would definitely recommend them to those 13 and up, though I will mention that the fourth book gets very dark and grim in the way that the fourth Harry Potter book is dark and grim.  There will be six books in total.  Additionally, check out Clare's prequel trilogy: The Infernal Devices.  Book 1, the only one out right now, is called Clockwork Angel.