Friday, January 13, 2012

Book Review: City of Fallen Angels

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.


I bought City of Fallen Angelsby Cassandra Clare when it came out. I liked the first three and loved her spin-off series, so I was excited to read this one. But... I hadn't heard the best things. So, sad, I put it off. I finally picked it up in December, and... I loved it.

I had heard a lot of negative reviews and comments about how Cassie Clare only wrote this as a quick money-maker and other negative assumptions. My biggest issue with the first three Mortal Instruments was that Clary was whiny, Jace was cocky, and they were predictable. But here I liked Clary and Jace, and the plot kept me guessing.

There was more Simon than in the previous books, which made me happy. I loved his scenes with Izzie. We had a few new characters and someone from the Infernal Devices shows up. Honestly, though, the thing that excited me the most about this new trilogy (and I call it a new trilogy since it's a new arc in this series) is the potential for Tessa to come into this world. It may not happen, but I've got my fingers crossed.

I'm super excited for City of Lost Souls to hit shelves this year. And have you seen the new cover? It's my favorite of the series!


3 comments:

Kim said...

I'll probably wait until CoFA comes out in paperback before I bother to read it. I wasn't impressed with CoG so I don't have high hopes for this one. Even though there's apparently more Simon in CoFA and he's my favorite. Maybe I'll learn to like Jace and Clary in this arc. Great review!

Laura said...

Meh. I couldn't get through the first book when I tried reading it -- basically for the same character problems you talk about. Also, I hate characters who fall for the total jerk because he's hot. I couldn't stand Jace despite his overly overdone overtly obvious hotness. When I picked it up the second time, I just didn't like it. Sounds like the series gets better. :)

...But I will say, it's weird to end up romantically involved with someone you thought was your brother. Even if it's not *actual* incest, they *thought* they were related and were still attracted to each other, and ew, and it's weird, and...yeah. Sorry. :P Glad you liked it! Just not my thing.

Name: Aine said...

@Laura I think that has a lot to do with why I liked them more here. Now that they don't think they're related and can be together, they're less annoying. Haha!

@Kim There's less Simon than it sounded like when Cassie first described this book, but I liked him even more here. : )

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