Review: City of Fallen Angels

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments book 4) by Cassandra Clare
Published: 5th April 2011
Publisher: Walker Books (UK)

Description (from Goodreads):
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.


My thoughts: 


I'm pretty sure everyone who's read the MI series was eagerly awaiting this book. I myself had to run round Liverpool City Centre to get a copy. The Waterstones I ordered it from didn't have it in; so I had to go to the other one which didn't have it out yet...anyway I eventually got a copy after informing my friends they may have to deal with a mental breakdown if I didn't get it haha. But then...I couldn't read it for 2 whole hours because I had a seminar! ARGH!


Anyway; I finally got to read it. I loved that it was set a few months later; and didn't try and deal with the immediate aftermath of the last book. It was good to see Clary developing a bit more both in terms of her shadowhunter abilities and as a person. I really enjoyed her relationship with Jace too. I think some may find that comment odd because it was so fraught and conflict-ridden; but I enjoyed the angst actually. I really understood all the different and overwhelming emotions Jace felt; and while sometimes I felt Cassie made them a bit *too* obvious (I'm a fan of subtle) I still think she portrayed his anguish and desperation well. 


I missed Alec and Magnus; they weren't in the book enough for me. Magnus is by far my favourite character and I missed his presence. I did like the Simon, Isabelle and Maia plot though; and I can see how that's obviously going to develop which I loved. One thing I really love about Cassie Clare's writing is how she ties all the little details together, and how something that seemed like an irrelevant detail the first time you read it turns out to be of vital importance. I also loved the references to Clockwork Angel; they make me ridiculously happy for some reason. I hope more comes of them in the later books!


Plotwise; I didn't think it was quite as good as the previous books. I felt the main plot with the dead shadowhunters was a bit underwhelming and a bit too similar to City of Ashes. However; the ending was really good, and this more than made up for my initial disappointment. I loved the ending so much; I can see so much potential in it which is obviously why Cassie Clare did it! I know a lot of people have been quite upset by it; and I wondered at first why I wasn't. The only explanation I can think of (other than that I'm hardhearted) is that I'm not *really* that attached to Jace. I think he's a fantastic character of course, but he's not the big love interest for me that he is for most people.But for my sanity maybe that's a good thing!


I hope more comes out of the plot with the Seelie Queen; I was surprised that didn't form a part of the ending so I'm looking forward to seeing how that develops. Overall it was as well-written and pithy as the previous books and whilst elements of the plot were a mild letdown other parts more than made up for that.


I give this book 5/5. If, for some bizarre reason, you haven't yet bought/ordered/read a copy...do it! Right now!