City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, Book 4) (edition 2011)

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Title : City of Fallen Angels
Series : Mortal Instruments #4
Pages : 524
Author : Cassandra Clare
Publisher : Margaret K. MacElderry
Format : Hardcover
Source : Bought - Owned

My Opinion : : City of Fallen Angel is Cassandra Clare’s

shining fourth book in her acclaimed series called The Mortal

Instruments. And, since every work she’s written is a piece of

art, I am now calling her a writing guru!!!


It’s been a month since I’ve owned this book, and I’ve been putting it off simply because I was afraid it wouldn’t be as good as the first three books in her series. I thought City of Glass was the perfect end to her series, and I couldn’t imagine what more she could add to that book. But I was wrong! Silly me to think Cassandra Clare wouldn’t be good enough to continue her series. And now, I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, City of Lost Souls.


I’ve kinda fallen in love with Simon; he sounds so sweet! And, it seems like Clary was less in this book, which I didn’t mind. Jace is too self-punishing! Poor him! But I still love him. Even more than I love Simon. Cassandra Clare has a way to make me love every guy she introduces, like Kyle (I know it’s not his real name, but I like it better!). I love Kyle too :D


I can’t wait to read City of Lost Souls. Neither can I wait to reread Clockwork Angel (first book in her prequel series of the Mortal Instruments) and Clockwork Prince (read it for the first time). I’ll be getting both of them soon!



4.5 roses, but more of a 5!

So, what did you think of this book if you have read it? ( )

This book started out slow for me. I don't know if that is because it has been nearly a year since I read City of Glass so it took me a bit to get back into it, or if it really was a slow beginning.

By the middle of the book though, I was really into it again and the ending blew me away. I hate that I have to wait months for book five to be released! ( )

I was so excited about this book. Majorly excited. I love the series. I love Cassandra Clare's writing. Ok, scratch that because I loathed her book Clockwork Angel. I wasn't sure how things were going to go with the novel but was looking forward to reading more about Clary and Jace...especially Jace LOL.

I bought the book in mobi format and started reading it yesterday. I didn't pay attention to far I had got into it but just kept waiting for something to happen and I guess was expecting the novel to be as dazzling and suspenseful as the rest. Instead it was very much relationship orientated (which isn't a bad thing)but lacked little else. There just seemed no substance and the ending, well it was bad. I actually had to turn the last remainding pages to work out if there was more. I mean, ending it there? Yes, it is probably an indication that there is another in the works but it just left it hanging and the book lacked the same lustre the other three had.

Very disappointing, although it has made me want to read the rest again. Would I read a fifth one? Probably, just to see what happens next. Sadly, this novel had a plot that was barely held together and was an end to no means. Too many questions were left unanswered.

Loved it, couldn't put it down. Read it in 6 hours. The action never stops in this one, character development was delightful. These just keep getting better. ( )

http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/2013/04/29/city-of-fallen-angels/ ( )

YAY finally it's here!!

OK, I loved, loved, loved the story, all the way to the final few chapters. Jace's dreams being invaded with images of killing Clary, and how he dealt with it was heartbreaking. Kyle / Jordan being there to look out for Simon, but also to try to re-connect with Maia was awesome.

Clary and Iz going alone to the church (and Clary actually going inside alone) was, as usual, a little stupid, but at least they ended up getting the devil, and some information about what was going on.

However, the fact that nobody was sharing all of the information made things a lot more complicated than they needed to be.

I loved how Clary took charge when Jace finally came clean with her about his dreams, and that she figured out that it truly wasn't Jace dreaming. However, I don't understand how it is that he wasn't better protected while with the silent brothers. And being re-born (or risen from the death) having the implication that he wasn't protected anymore, should have told them that this was really urgent, couldn't they have made a portal to the iron sisters and just gotten the things that needed to be done done straight away?

It really got to me that Jace was blaming himself for being under Lilith's influence (and really, Lilith??) and what really got to me was that everybody left Jace alone on the roof, with half a ritual having been done already. I can understand that Clary felt the need to go downstairs, to check on her mom, and make sure she didn't come upstairs to see Jonathan. However, the other shadowhunters should have immediately gone upstairs to see if there was something more to be done. I don't get why they needed all those explanations down in the lobby, and that's where the one star off comes from. It really is contrived, and a forced plot imo. Jace and Jonathan are now blood bonded, and if one dies, the other will die. It is really stupid and I hate what will probably come in the next books.

However, I really shouldn't be surprised, the main couple not being together is apparantly what is cool to read about, but I don't agree. I want Jace and Clary to be able to work through their problems, but now, Jace will likely only feel more guilty that he wasn't able to come out of the spell, even if he tried.

So, although I really loved most of the book, that last part just made me angry, and not feel good about what I read before that. ( )

To make a long story short, I believe Cassandra Clare should have stopped with the third book. This fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series, feels like an afterthought. Perhaps more like residue from the first three books. Essentially the plot didn’t pick up until about 75-80% into the book, and even then it still focuses on the same old hoopla of the “love” of Jace and Danger-prone Clary. I’m honestly getting tired of reading about their whirlwind romance, and I’ve learned to just skip through those constant descriptive parts. I can say that I did enjoy the fact that Simon plays a stronger role in the series, as he learns how to make better use of his new found powers. In this book we are also introduced to several other new characters, such as Kyle and Maureen, of whom I suppose will play bigger parts in the next books in the series. In all I found the book full of air, albeit with stratus clouds of quick action scenes. I wasn’t in favor for the slow plot development (if you want to call it a development) and I’m not totally convinced I should seek out any future TMI books. I felt very content when I thought that the third book, City of Glass, was the end. I will, with great enthusiasm, be in search for The Infernal Devices series, as I hear those are great books.

First Line: “‘Just coffee, please.’” (3)
Last Line: “We are one” (424)

Quotes:
“‘Theoretically the planet could suddenly crack in half, leaving me on one side and you on the other side, forever and tragically parted, but I’m not worried about that either. Some things,’ Jace said, with his customary crooked smile, ‘are just too unlikely to dwell upon.’” (77)

“‘You left me,’ he said. ‘You made a pet out of me, and then you left me. If love were food, I would have starved on the bones you gave me.’ He spoke matter-of-factly. It had been a long time.” (259)

“You never told me. Never warned me it would be like this, that I would wake up one day and realize that I was going somewhere you couldn’t follow. That we are essentially not the same. There’s no ‘till death do us part’ for those who never die.” (377) ( )

I recently started reading this series and have heard tons of accolades from library patrons and friends, I am also a person who feels the need to finish a series once I start. So I read books 1-3 and there is no way i can just quit.

The series in general intrigues me, I like the blending of fantasy characters. It reminds me of a Sookie Stackhouse world, where the point is: if one group of magical creatures or beings exist then the other definitely does! So the books overall have that going for them.

The dichotomy of magical beings is well done in this book, and somthing I really appreciated. The idea of balance, light and dark, angel and demon.

The continuation of Simon's storyline was also interesting, on multiple occassions I felt like I needed to research biblical happenings and people, curious about how much of the book was based in biblical truths.

Overall this was a decent continuation of the mortal instument series, to me it had a really interesting twist at the end, though I am not sure how much longer I am willing to wait for a conclusion. If you like paranormal, fantasy and romance this is a worthwhile series, it gives you a touch of everything from angels,demons and faeries to warlocks, vampires, and werewolves. As well as of course-Shadowhunters. The other nice twist to this book for me was the inclusion of more about the mythos surrounding the various paranormals or downworlders. Looking forward to the next book in this series as well as the series prequel! ( )

Couldn't stop while you were ahead, huh? All I can say is that this book was so slow that eventually, the only thing I could do was give up and skim. This is one of those series that should have stopped at book 3! ( )

Huh. Mixed feelings? 3.5? I found it enjoyable. I thought the plot was pretty good. (After all, heaven forbid Clary and Jace should be allowed to live happily ever after, right?) But it just wasn't as gripping as the first three. I dunno. That being said, I'll definitely read the rest of the series! The ending though. *head shake* Did you REALLY have to go there, Cassandra? Really?

I think my biggest complaint was the narrators though. I saw on the Simon & Schuster Audio website that they were all EXCITED that Molly C. Quinn and Ed Westwick were narrating. She's from Castle, and as much as I love her, she did just OKAY.... He was... meh. Meh meh meh. (Jace sounded like a New York gang member... ick!) He's from some stupid show I don't watch. *shrugs* Actors are not necessarily good voice actors. I liked the other narrator better. Much, much better. ( )

Things I liked:

1. It's like a TMI spin-off featuring Simon (who has fast become one of my favorite characters in the series).

2. Isabelle/Simon. hohohohoh way to go, Clare, pairing off the two remaining characters without a partner, but oh well, you did it well, and this is my favorite ship so far.

3. Clary is slowly becoming a take-control over girl, and not merely the damsel in distress. Quick thinking about ruining Jace's rune, but that wasn't enough. With a character like Clary, though, it's a big improvement

Things I didn't like:
1. Jace and Clary's love story has become even more angst-ridden. I liked the incest-related angst, but seriously, I could slap Jace for looking for more excuses to be unhappy.

2. Seriously, after the fight ended with Lilith, why oh why did they just leave Jace alone with Sebastian???? You would think that after all they've been through (the Valentine episode and the more recent episode with Lilith), they'd be more paranoid, and effin make sure Sebastian was secured, if they can't kill him. But, no, they left Jace, who's still pretty unstable, alone with Sebastian. It's like watching the girl in a slasher film walk around the house in the dark, knowing there's a killer around there somewhere. Sheesh.

This was a pretty enjoyable read, mostly because of the Simon parts. But I think making a book after the trilogy ended was unnecessary. Yes, I really think it was unnecessary. I liked the trilogy but enough is enough. ( )

Although I was fairly happy with the ending to book three, I am also totally okay with her continuing the series. Book four was, to me, totally consistent with the quality of the series up to this point. This is one of those series I have a love/hate relationship with; sometimes I want to stop reading and sometimes I am completely, shamefully drawn into all of the melodrama.

Most of all, let me say how much I do not care about Clary and Jace. They suffer from the overdramatic, overly mushy, want-to-be-together-but-can't thing that has made so many main couples exceedingly obnoxious. Other prime examples from the fantasy world are Buffy/Angel and Max/Liz (from Roswell). As with both of those television shows, I do really enjoy the supporting cast. Any section of the book that followed Simon, Alec or Isabelle, I was much more likely to appreciate.

Still, I did not like the way she paired everyone off toward the end of the book. Which is not to say the pairings are all doing well, but they are all definitely heading in an obvious direction. That just felt a bit too quick. Everyone was more forgiving than seems particularly likely. Plus, I didn't like that Simon never had to choose between the two girls; the choice was sort of made for him and he just rolled with it. Am I supposed to ship a relationship when he never really seemed to care for one more than the other?

All in all, another calorie-ridden, guilty pleasure. I know the next book will be just as agonizing and annoying as the others, but I also know that I will be reading it as soon as I can get my hands on it. ( )

I'm not sure how coherent this review will be, but I'll do my best. In no particular order, here are the things I liked about this book:

-Luke and Jocelyn. I enjoy seeing them get their (more or less) happily-ever-after, plus it's always nice to see adults in functioning relationships in YA.

-We're out of Idris. I do like some fantasy, but for some reason I just didn't like it when everybody was Idris in the last book, possibly because everyone's descriptions of it feel too fantastic and gorgeous to be real. We're back to our urban setting with this one.

-Clary is finally training as a Shadowhunter. FINALLY.

That being said, some of the things that bothered me about this book include:

-The constant angst between Clary and Jace. I'm getting really sick of this star-crossed lovers business. It's at the point where I can barely remember what it is they have in common, since all they do is angst, angst, angst.

-Simon. WTF? He became a cheating dirtbag in this one. And yes, if not all the parties involved are aware of the situation, that constitutes cheating.

-The Magnus/Jace dynamic here was kind of depressing. Alec clearly loves Magnus, but Magnus seems to be holding back, presumably he's older than dirt and has had hundreds of lovers before. Based on what we saw in this book, I'm not convinced that Alec shouldn't leave Magnus and find someone else, but we'll see.

-The lack of development in non-romantic relationships. I'd LOVE to see more of an Isabelle/Clary friendship going, but all we got in this book was a brief discussion about birth control. Not really what I was envisioning.

-I think the number of POVs is increasing as the series goes. Clare has always liked her third-person limited POV, but this was the first time I found myself struggling to keep all the storylines straight.

Overall, the action in this book isn't bad, but the Clary/Jace dynamic is definitely starting to feel stale here. I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll continue the series. ( )

Liked the book, although it was slow to get into it. It got better once it hit its stride. Looking forward more to Clockwork Prince than the next MI book. ( )

First of All ****SPOILER ALERT**** (i might get carried away unintentionally)...

Ok so for the most part i really liked this book. Most of the main characters on it have a very interesting and welcome growth (Isabel comes to mind). I was so into it, and then the last chapter came. OH MY GOD!!! I was so frustrated... ARGH!!!!!!!!!! I really hated that last chapter; I mean, I get it, this book is #4 out of 6 now. I get that the book needs a new plot line that can be taken through a span of three books (much like the Valentine plot) but seriously can we cut Jace a break its like the poor kids has gone through the hero's journey and got stuck in hell with no way to come out. UGH!!!

****HEAVY SPOILERS AFTER THIS LINE****(City of Fallen Angels and Clockwork Angel)****
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There was another part of the books i did not liked; i get the whole mark of Cain. I actually loved the detailed description of how the whole sevenfold works; i did not liked that it was used to finish Lilith. Maybe is because of her whole significance, who she was and what she did, but i was expecting more out of her end. That scene reminded me a lot of the scene on Clockwork Angel were Will kills the she-demon on the abandoned house. I expected a full blown action scene there, that showed the skills of the shadowhunters then she was dead (the demon was on an impenetrable circle that apparently not even fire could get through, yet the chandelier killed her, please!!). And i definitely expected a full blown action scene on this particular moment (Lilith's death) that showed both Jace's and Simon's skills and prowess.

All in all i liked the book and i will definitely read the next one. I'm just hopping that the light at the end Jace's tunnel (and Clari's for that matter) is closer than i dread to imaging. ( )

I have now finished City of Fallen Angels, which means I’ve read all 4 of the current books in the series. I’m told more are coming… Portents of doom indeed. Yes, I’ve set the tone. I was not a happy dappy fan of this series, I have to say

I’m going to try and keep this largely unspoiled but I don’t guarantee it. So if you’re utterly terrified of minor spoilers look away now.

Now I’m going to start positive. Yes, I am going to try.
First of all the story is a truly great story. It’s involved, it drew me in. the villain was villainous, the plot believable and I genuinely wanted to see what happened. The Shadowhunters, mortals enhanced with the blood of Angels who gain mighty power by drawing runes on their bodies. They train in combat to fulfil their epic duty to protect the world from daemons while at the same time negotiate their delicate and often condescending and fraught relationships with the other creatures of the world – the fae, the warlocks, the werewolves and the vampires. All the more complicated when one of their own has gone rogue – and is willing to take down everyone and everything to get his way – the genocidal destruction of the other races and any Shadowhunter who consorts with them.

It is a great story, it’s even an epic story. And the world is deep and rich, the world building, the use of the Marks for powers is relatively new, there’s a distinctive sense of unique cultures and a very large varied world. I am curious about all of the “Downworlder” races and want to learn more about them. It really does have some great elements that could have been developed wonderfully and would definitely make the books a great read.

But, unfortunately, there are also some barriers.

To start with, I had a really hard time getting into this book because I think it was written by a drunken monkey. No, really. On a scale of 1-10 of writing, where 10 is Shakespeare and 1 is Twilight, this is a 1. Yes, this is another Twilight. It is so full of redundancies, gross over-writing and just excessive verbiage that it can be not only a drag to read, but painful to read.

Read More ( )

I continue to be bored senseless by Clary and Jace. It's not their fault I realise. They can't help the author not being very good and clearly falling back on her fanfiction roots.

This book and I presume the rest of the series are at that point when you realise a narrative has continued past the point where it was originally meant to concluded. The whole Jace is having nightmares thing is such a nothing plot but as with the rest of this entire series the saving grace is the life and times of Simon. A daywalker vampire with the Mark of Cain is a very interesting premise and I've reached the point where I find myself skimming through the Clary portions of the story to the next time Simon shows up. To my surprise I'm enjoying the new Isabelle/Simon thing though the whole two timing thing at the start was amazingly contrived.

Overall I'm hoping Simon continues to grow as a primary protagonist though I still wish the Mortal Instruments series had ended as a trilogy and Simon had gotten his own spin-off series. Clary and Jase keep getting dragged back into a story that doesn't really want them any more but I suppose some people just life utterly predictable and pedestrian 'epic' romances regardless of how boring it actually is. ( )

wow. great book

Even though I am in love with this series I did not like this book in particular. It takes awhile to get into and I felt like the story didn't really start until half way through. I almost didn't want to finish it. I think the story was a little confusing and weak in the beginning. Luckily it turned out ok though. ( )

Even though I am in love with this series I did not like this book in particular. It takes awhile to get into and I felt like the story didn't really start until half way through. I almost didn't want to finish it. I think the story was a little confusing and weak in the beginning. Luckily it turned out ok though. ( )

I have totally lost interest in the stories and characters. Really if you write a trilogy, there should not be a fourth book! ( )

**WARNING: Spoiler Alert if you haven’t read City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass**

The Mortal War is over, but does that mean everyone is safe? Clary is excited because she can finally train to become a Shadowhunter, even though her mother wishes otherwise. Her mother is busy preparing for her upcoming wedding to the man she’s loved for a long time.

Things start happening in New York. Shadowhunters are being murdered. This is causing tension between the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders.

Not only does Clary have that to deal with, but Simon is suddenly homeless because his mother found out about him being a vampire. He moves in with a guy named Kyle, who, unbeknownst to Simon, is also a downworlder and has his own history. Simon is also dating two girls at the same time, two dangerous girls. Which one is he going to take to the wedding? Simon doesn’t see this as a big deal, but Clary knows better.

Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend after all this time. (Well, three books.) He is helping to train her as a Shadowhunter. Now Jace is having nightmares, only they are causing him to do things. Now he is pulling away from Clary because he doesn’t want to hurt her. This causes Clary pain because she doesn’t know why he is avoiding her, so she investigates. Will Jace and Clary finally be together? What is happening and why are the Shadowhunters being killed?

It is no secret that I am a fan of Cassandra Clare’s writing. I first read The Infernal Devices series and now and The Mortal Instruments series. As I have said in previous reviews of these series. I like that they deal with the same thing, only in different time periods. In City of Fallen Angels, I had high hopes for Clary and Jace. I really wanted them to be together. After all the business with the Mortal War, them being siblings, Jace being part demon…it really seemed like things were finally working in their favor, except for that little incident with the Angel Raziel at the lake at the end of City of Glass.

I like that you get to see more of Simon in these books. He has always been a good friend to Clary and now that he is a vampire, he is allowed to be more present in her world. He is the “Daylighter” because he can go out during the day. This has caused him to be able to continue his life, but also has caused some contention with the other downworlders. The other vampires don’t want to associate with him, yet because of the Mark of Cain that he has on him, they cannot kill him.

Jace, Jace, Jace. He is the guy that one minute, you love him and the next you don’t. It’s obvious that he really cares for Clary, but he has a funny way of showing it sometimes. It seems like all the bad stuff happens to him.

Having already read City of Lost Souls before this review was written, I must say that Clare does not disappoint in keeping me interested in this series. I am eagerly anticipating the release of City of Heavenly Fire, which is rumored to be in March 2014. ( )

Un quarto capitolo principalmente incentrato su Simon, il Daylighter, con una incursione, non proprio riuscitissima, nel mondo dei demoni superiori con un incontro/scontro con Lilith. Sinceramente avrei preferito che la trilogia si fermasse, giustamente, al 3° capitolo. Già è uscita una serie parallela, ma temporalmente antecedente le avventure di Clary e Jace, ora questo 4° libro che prepara il terreno ad una saga di cui si potrebbe non scorgere fine... ( )

For some reason, my review got deleted and I can't remember my exact words anymore although I do remember being pissed off at the end. I guess now, I'll just say it was a good story and leave it like that but no.. despite that, I found myself rather tortured after reaching the ends of the book. I would've argued beforehand when someone said that this was an instrument of torture but now, I won't beg to differ. But as to my reasoning, It might be different. See, I loved the story. But cliffhangers kill me! I hate them, they can just jump off a cliff! Har har, sorry for my lame attempt on humor. The book, too, was depressing. Cassandra Clare seems to have a knack for luring Jace to the dark side all the time, if he wasn't depressed in this book, he was being controlled, like "c'mon, we miss the old sarcastic Jace already Cassandra, give him back!" but no. The ending just shattered all of that. Now I have to wait for a month or so for City of Lost Souls and a year for City of Heavenly Angels. So, yes, this book is an instrument of torture. Other than that, In Cassandra Clare fashion, a little bit of romance, lots of twists and turns, some steamy scenes and a big shocker, well you have City of Fallen Angels. ( )

I tried. I tried so hard to finish this book, but, for the life of me, I just couldn't. While writing this review, I realised something: I've never given a book 1 star before. This is a first, and what a shame it happens to be a book from a series that started off so well.

I enjoyed the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series, and it's a shame Clare didn't stop there. I held on as long as I could, but this book was doing my head in. What happened to the characters I came to know and love from the first three books? These clones in City of Fallen Angels lacked personality. Like Simon's current existence, these characters were living but were not alive. It was almost as if Clare removed their souls and left the empty shells behind.

This book lacked purpose. I can easily through it out and have no regrets because it left no impression on me whatsoever. It hurts me to give any book a 1 star but the fact that it's a book I was looking forward to just left me heartbroken. It was almost as if City Of Fallen Angels was written by someone else. This can't be the same Cassandra Clare who wrote the first three books.

I could go in depth and point out the hurt this book has inflicted upon me, but I won't because of my loyalty to the first three books. I will not be continuing with the series for the mere fact that it has lost its spark and its significance. ( )