City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Release Day: 5th April, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Pages: 424pgs

The Story

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone's killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leavings tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary's plan to lead a normal life as she can - training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. But as Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them - consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon - the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side - can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher then ever in City of Fallen Angels.

The Review

Far out, I honestly don't know what to say about this book! From Cassandra Clare's previous Mortal Instruments installments, her writing lured me into this amazing world of hers and from her world building to her very addictive characters that we all love - the good and the bad - I love everything she has too offer to us readers. While I still remain true and loyal TMI fan, and while I was very excited to hear she'll be writing another three books to the Mortal Instruments series . . . I however, found myself a little disappointed with this fourth book.

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS was utterly darker - which I loved since I'm weird like that - but what I loved the most was that we got to see more of Simon! Hooray! I mean, let's face it: he's my favourite boy character, well, apart from the utterly hilarious Magnus and Alec. Apart from that, I found the characters have changed in this book - more so, Jace, and because of this brooding-complicated-stubborn-a-little-bit-typical-and-boring-old Jace, there is a reason why I'm a Simon fangirl! He has life in him and he's the DEAD one! At the end of City of Glass, I wanted the Jace and Clary relationship to go much deeper (it has at times), but instead, it turned around into something that made your head spin around and around until you wanted to sink down and die. I know I'm a bit dramatic there . . . but DAMN IT! If you think CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS is going to give you happy, romantic scenes . . . think again!

I admit, there were major letdowns in this book - 1) Jace is still wanting Clary but is holding back and I guess for a good-but-stupid reason, 2) because I expected major action but I got predictable action that I could see a mile away (for those who've read it, you know what I'm talking about), 3) there were hot makeout scenes that I found pointless, and 4) Well, I haven't got anymore reasons but I think Jace should just DIE and I know that's mean . . . but really? I love him to bits, don't get me wrong, but he's worse than Edward. Even though it seems Simon loves another (I won't say whom exactly), but I still think him and Clary should've got back together . . . they mesh well together. Jace is just . . . well, an eye-roll boring. If I hear him mutter something that resembles, "I love you but I don't deserve you cause I'm Mr. boy-who-was-brought-up-by-an-evil-mastermind" I will scream!

Okay, despite my blabbing, let's talk about what I did love! SIMON! KYLE! MAGNUS! ALEC! CLOCKWORK ANGEL references! As I mentioned above, I love Simon to bits and for those who were all Jace fans . . . I can definitely tell you that you'll love Simon more than him! We get to see his vampire transition in the installment and I was thankful for seeing into his life, rather than focusing on the whole Jace-Clary scenario. TEAM SIMON for life, I say! His character has developed a lot more and we really DO get to see what a loyal friend he IS! As for Kyle, I already knew who he was when I first met him! I won't say anything more about Kyle, for those who haven't read the book, but I loved him to bits too! Despite his dark past (you guys will know about this once you read it) he is truly a super-dooper nice character!

Now, onto my favourite couple of TMI series . . . Magnus and Alec! Words can't describe how much I love these guys! I was a tad bit disappointed that they didn't get much of a role in CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS but their little fights over Magnus being immortal and how Alec is just a 'toy' to him . . . it was just do adorable! I think the reason why I gave this book four stars is because of them, because despite the dark cloud that lies on top of the other characters, these two characters came through with a bucket of sunshine! They lightened the mood! Lastly, I was so excited when I read some CLOCKWORK ANGEL mentionings . . . ones that referred to Will and then . . . there's was that cameo appearance from the CA vampire, Camille. That was pretty cool.

Needless to say, even if I found CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS too predictable, I did enjoy reading the book and its twists-and-turns along the way! It was a hard one to put down and it was a great addition to the Mortal Instruments series, though I hope the next installment has more surprises for me, which I know will happen considering the cliffhanger than made you wanna hit someone! Well, not literally of course! That would be rude and stupid. Anyway, CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS is definitely a book you should pick up, but be warned: there's no sparkles and rainbows waiting for you there!

The Rating

4/5 stars