Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Fallen Angels

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: Yeah!

Book #: 4

Pages: 424

Reading Level: YA

Book Rating: 

Published: April 5th, 2011

by Margaret K. McElderry

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, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. 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 than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Taschima's POV:

I should have hopped off the City of Glass wagon and let it run its course without me. But what can I do? I am a freaking reader for gods sake. If I start a series I end it, even if the author "ended" it and "restarted" it yet again. So I read this book. I was so nervous to read it cause, well, I LOVED City of Glass. For me it was the mark of a perfect 10, and I only grade with 5 hearts. It was just so complete and perfect. Now City of Fallen Angels on the other hand, well, left me with a frown and a "whyyyyy T_T".

Cassandra Clare tries to make this book all about Simon and his new status as a vampire. Not only a vampire mind you, but a day walker. Thing is though, we are already so in tune with Clary and Jace that whenever the page turns and it's their chapter we just want to kick Simon off the spotlight. I think that was the first mistake, trying to make this book about a "new" character but still leaving the originals on a front and center basis. I liked Simon, I always have, it was just hard to take interest in his story when I was looking for something else from my main characters. Overall, both stars of the book disappointed me. Simon I thought was too into his relationship drama, and Clary and Jace I was just expecting more from. I really got into the parts where they talked about Simon's special status, and also got into the part where he confronts his mother about being a vampire, but other than that... I think I was more into the relationship between the girl wolf and a new character (which I really enjoyed) lol

Oh and Jace? This is what I wanted to say to him: Please, stop the whining. For god's sakes, if you don't trust Clary yet with your problems are you ever gonna? She brought you back from the dead for crying out loud! Stop being a baby and be a man... He just whined sooo much. I liked Jace when he was with Simon though. It seems Jace has a personality disorder; he is one Jace with Clary (the whiny guy I dislike) and a completely opposite Jace (the kick ass one which I love). Your insecurities with Clary are dampening my fun.

So yeah, things I enjoyed/highlights of the book. Simon, Jace (when he wasn't around Clary), the new character (Jordan), Simon & Jace's relationship, easy fast read even though its more than 400 pages.

Overall this book could have been so much more. The ending didn't leave me breathless, or even that surprised. Sebastian isn't dead? But you said... She said... ugh whatever who cares really. Next thing you are going to tell me is that Jace and Clary are ACTUALLY brother and sister (I swear if she brings back that plot line I will kill the series with my bare hands). The surprise is totally gone, it has left the building and will never try to rent a room around here again.Also where did the new bad chick come from? No idea, and didn't really care that much. The problem the author presented was interesting though for that I give you points. By the end of it I was more like, hurry up and be done please I have other stuff to read. I have no idea what the next book is going to be about, will probably pick it up cause I'm a hopeless reader, but by now my expectations are really low (since my expectations are this low I would think the next book I might enjoy more).

The problem is, City of Glass was epic, and City of Fallen Angel, it's sequel, just doesn't deliver. Maybe you just weren't written for me. Maybe I outgrew the Mortal Instruments... Nah! This one just didn't meet my expectations. Sometimes it just wiser to let your fans do the work of keeping the series alive.