City of Fallen Angels Review

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.

I've been a big fan of The Mortal Instruments for quite awhile now. I remember when I first discovered the series and completely devoured it. The characters had my heart from the beginning and needless to say, they forever will. City of Fallen Angels was a surprise to me, initially I thought the books were going to be a trilogy. I was not prepared for what Cassandra Clare had in store through City of Fallen Angels.

This book was absolutely magnificent and brilliant in every sense of the word. You will not be disappointed a single second while reading it. A lot of hype was created around this fourth book and it definitely deserved it. If you've yet to read City of Fallen Angels, you need to right away. This book is told through several different points of view. A good bit of it was told through Simon's point of view. I first thought I wouldn't like that as much but it turned out quite surprising. It was good reading through all the character's thoughts and actions. The information made much more sense. Shadowhunters and downworlders hold equal dwellings in the book. I must say, the Clockwork Angel references blew my mind! You have to pay close attention to a few while others jump right out at you. (Ready for Clockwork Prince? Yes!)

City of Fallen Angels takes place a few months after the battle in Idris. Everyone is trying and failing to get things back to normal. Clary is undergoing her Shadowhunter training and attempting to keep her and Jace's relationship afloat. Jace is still reeling from his time in Idris and begins to have nightmares that leave him feeling as if he's gone insane. Simon is in the worst position ever as he finds himself having to hide his vampire status from his own mother. Simon avoids being home, especially when she's there and his mother begins to grow suspicious. Simon does nothing but underestimate his own power because in reality, no one actually knows what having The Mark of Cain entails. Simon is also dating Isabelle and Maia. You would think dathing both a shadowhunter and a werewolf would leave you slightly nervous of them finding out, but I must say Simon acted pretty suave the entire time. Isabelle is herself, as always but her character really expands in this book. You're able to see more of what's beneath her attitude and reputation. Alec and Magnus are traveling the world together blissfully in love until they're brought back to New York. Alec begins to question his relationship with Magnus when the subject of eternity comes up, considering Alec is a mortal shadowhunter. Alec grows up a lot in this book and you can tell how much more comfortable he is in his own skin. There's a new character brought into the picture early on. I must say, I really adore him and think he's going to be a great contribution. At first his name is Kyle and then turns out to be Jordan. Ring any bells? Well, he's a werewolf and he takes to helping out Simon. He also becomes friends with Jace which I found forever amusing. Meanwhile, Jocelyn and Luke are just trying to plan their long awaited wedding.

"And then there was you. You changed everything I believed in. You know that line from Dante that I quoted to you in the park? 'L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle'?" 

Her lips curled a little at the sides as she looked up at him. "I still don't speak Italian." 

"It's a bit of the very last verse from Paradiso - Dante's Paradise. 'My will and my desire were turned by love, the love that moves the sun and the other stars.' Dante was trying to explain faith, I think, as an overpowering love, and maybe it's blasphemous, but that's how I think of the way I love you. You came into my life and suddenly I had one truth to hold on to - that I loved you, and you loved me." 

Besides the amazing characters, the one thing that shines through is the love between Jace and Clary. Even when they're not at their best the amount of love they have for one another could conquer anything. In a sense, it has conquered any and everything. Their love is constantly being tested and just when you think something permanent may have happened, they both fall back into each others arms. In battle, their love is an ultimate gift and curse. Neither one of  them can handle being apart from the other. The thought of hurting the other one is something neither of them can bare. That last statement explains most of Jace's behavior the entire book. They're both so strong and willing to take a bullet for the other, or in their case a "Greater Demon." It's great to see two people so in love but yet so jaded. Their love is like the sun, it burns so bright but can scorch you in a second. It's lethal and they are the ultimate pair.

All in all, this book will take you on a journey

and paint you a picture you've never, ever seen before.

City of Lost Souls is the next installment and while it's ways away,

I might just need that much time to have ALL of this sink in.


THANK YOU, CASSANDRA CLARE!
Five stars.