I should probably preface this review with a comment: I’m
annoyed that this is a book. City of
Glass ended quite nicely, putting a cap on The Mortal Instruments trilogy,
since, isn’t that what it was supposed to be? A trilogy? So, the fact that
there are three more books feels like a money grubbing scheme to me, and it may
have colored my review on the negative side.
I gave City of Fallen
Angels a 2 star out of 5 rating on Goodreads when I finished reading it the
other day, and now that I’ve let the book soak a little bit in my mind, I think
I’m going to stand by that. Nothing about the book really grabbed me and shook
me screaming, “Look how great I am!”.
It was like an extension of the previous books, Jace being a tortured
soul not being able to be with Clary, Clary crying about Jace, Simon not
belonging anywhere.
The new characters were… convenient. I guess, it really felt like a poorly
stitched together quilt? And after
thinking about it for a while, I really drew similarities between Jace and
Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Clary is Buffy Summers, Jace is Angel.
Tortured Soul believing himself to be undeserving of the protagonist’s
love no matter the protestations of said protagonist.
The murders at the beginning felt unimportant, I hope for
more depth from Camille in the next two books, or else I will feel cheated. I
liked her character the best out of the new ones in this book. Also, can we
talk about how Simon actually thought the first Cult member who tried to kidnap
him was a mugger? That seems like an odd jump? Or else he is just dense. That could be too.
The cover of City of Fallen Angels is beautiful but… what’s
with the bolt of arrows on the male’s shoulder? Is it Alec? It seems like it
should be Simon, as that is who the story is mostly about, with Clary in the background.
But Simon doesn’t carry arrows, so it must be Alec. Does Alec wear Justin Bieber-like hoodies? I thought that
was a Simon thing, as well. They dropped the ball on this cover you guys. We
deserve better covers! :D
Anyway, as much as I loved The Mortal Instruments as a
trilogy, I’m not certain about this second set of books in it. I will still
read City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire but so far, I’m disappointed.
It could be that I am outgrowing (read: getting too old) for Young Adult
fiction, as I have a hard time with a 16-year-old demon hunter, if you know
what I mean? (Where's that Fountain of Youth anyway?)
But if you want to talk Freeform’s Shadowhunters, I’m all
about that right now, so not all is lost.
Happy Reading!
Stacy
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Deets:
Inside Jacket:
“The Mortal War is over, and 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 important of all- Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
But nothing comes without a price.
Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in
Valentine’s Circle, 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.
Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side-along with the power of
the curse that’s wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get
what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous
girls-neither of whom knows about the other.
When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining
why, she 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.
Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than
ever in City of Fallen Angels.”
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publish Date: 2011
Pages: 424
Genre: YA Paranormal Fiction
Recommended Ages: 14 and up
