#2017HW City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on 2011-04-05
Length: 432 pages
Reviewing Hardcover from My Book Shelf
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2017HW

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old 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 importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, 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 that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary 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.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare is the 4th book in The Mortal Instruments and picks up 6 weeks after the ending of City of Glass. Personally I had a hard time with this one. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it and it is pivotal for the series IMO, but the characters are in such a dark place. Jace is struggling with the aftermath of Clary’s choice to save him, Simon is realizing what it means when you are immortal AND have the mark of Cain, and Clary is dealing with her anger towards her mom, her nonexistent feelings for her brother and father who killed many, and beginning her training as a Shadowhunter. So yeah….a lot going on in this book!

While most of the books have focused on Clary, I felt this one started to shift away from her. Again don’t get me wrong, she’s present and at least half the book is told from her perspective, but Simon is the main figure in the book along with Jace. I think we get more of Simon’s perspective in this book than we have all series so far, but I could be wrong. Maybe it was just how the plot seemed to involve him more. Simon is probably my favorite character. He is down to earth, struggling with his change into a vampire (and not even a normal vampire at that, but a Daylighter), and essentially Simon is having an identity crisis. Who is he now? He can’t be the Jewish nerd he used to be, at least not when he can’t even say God’s name. And don’t get me started on how he is dating not only Isabelle but Maia too. Poor Simon doesn’t even realize that he is being a jerk, he is that clueless when it comes to girls.

With Simon having an identity crisis, Jace is resisting the night terrors that plague him. In doing so though, he begins to push Clary away. Jace is a complex character and always has been. He’s very closed off to those around him, yet he is the most honest character. You never have to wonder what he is thinking as he will tell you and this gets him in trouble this book. He loves Clary so why is he pushing her away?

As I’ve already said, the plot kind of revolves around Simon and Jace instead of Clary this time. Simon finds himself at the middle of demon’s plot and Jace’s nightmares continue to get worse. Hiding from Clary, he decides to be Simon’s bodyguard. It’s kind of humorous considering the boys can’t stand to be in the same room as each other. There’s a new character introduced throughout the course of the plot: Kyle. I like Kyle and I think you will too 😀 He reminds me of Luke a bit who was more absent than I would’ve liked this book.

Overall I really enjoyed this installment, despite the dark that seems to shadow the characters. And that ending!!!! If I didn’t have other books I have to read at the moment I would have already dove in to book 5 to find out what happens next. If you enjoy urban fantasy, then you should definitely be reading this series.

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