City Of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare

“Hearts are breakable. And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”

Sysnopsis From Book Jacket:

The Mortal War is over, 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 her life, Downworldsers and Shadowhutners are all 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 iont the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself haas 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 (quoted from the book’s jacket).

Personal Thoughts:

I got this latest addition to The Mortal Instruments series last Thursday night but as much as I want to read it as soon as it landed on my hand, I need to wait till my spare time allow me. Trying to do work instead of picking up the book was extremely hard. When I started reading it, I was hooked into it. First few pages of the book and I found my self smiling and laughing already. It’s always a treat to read about the world of shadowhunters and those lovely characters inside this world.

As expected there are more of Simon Lewis in the story. I never felt attached to Simon before but in this book he has certainly begun to grow on me. City Of Fallen Angels give so much more dept and emotion to his character. Reading more of him is like discovering an old friend and becoming more close to him. Same thing goes with Iz, she doesn’t have much exposure like Simon but you’ll definitely feel her presence. She’s one of the surprising revelations of this book. It’s nice to see the different side of her. I’m beginning to like her more. The development of Simon & Iz’s relationships is nicely built.

More of Simon doesn’t actually mean less of Jace. For awhile it bothers me that Simon is getting the spotlight from Jace. But after few chapters more of reading I begun to understand the need of it. Jace in here is different. He is more vulnerable and worried. It’s so disturbing to see him in despair and tormented. But as usual Clare knows best how to handle her characters. She’s definitely aiming for something bigger because Jace torture has a huge role in the plot. A bit cruel for Jace but worth journey for readers. Magnus Bane is also back together with Alec. It’s nice to see the new side of Alec. I love him with Magnus and it so sad that they don’t have much part in the story. I miss Magnus witty commentary so much, hopefully to get more of those in the coming books.

I’m still amazed with the author’s world building skills. She’s definitely has talent in writing. Honestly, after reading the three books I don’t know if Clare can manage to deliver more for the series. But she did a great job in this one. City of Fallen Angels is intense. Everything has been taken to a new level. It makes the series becomes more darker and more engaging. Somehow it feels like I’m starting a new series again. Except for the fact that I already discover the shadowhunters world and already connected with the characters.

I like that Cassandra Clare doesn’t focus on couple relationships alone. It’s not about just Jace and Clary or Simon and Iz and Maia. Every characters has their own part in the story. I also like the idea of balance between good and evil. How every actions have its own consequences. The side story with the Sellie Queen, I was surprised that it didn’t use much as part of the plot, obviously it’s something that need to be reveal in the next books.

The ending is beautifully painful and heart-breaking, which makes me want the next book so much. I hate it when it just end like that. What will happen to Jace now? Isn’t it enough that he was tortured the whole time in this book? And now Clare is also torturing the readers! I don’t know how I will manage waiting for the next book that will be release thirteen months from now. I’m just thankful that a least there is Clockwork Prince in the middle of waiting.

With all that, City of Fallen Angels is a nice addition to The Mortal Instruments series. It was as well-written as the previous books. With a growing characters, wrapping world and unpredictable plot filled with darkness, pain and mysteries, City Of Fallen Angels is definitely worth the wait.

City of Bones by (The Mortal Instruments #1) Cassandra Clare

“That to love is to destroy and that to be the one loved is to be the one destroyed.”
– Jace Wayland

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder – much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing – not even a smear of blood – to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know….

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Personal Thoughts:

Despite being almost 500 pages long, the City of Bones is a fast read. It’s hard to get board with this new world created by Cassanrda Clare in Mortal Instruments series. There are so much to imagine and so many characters involved. There are shadowhunters, angels, vampires, werewolves, faeries, warlocks, wizards, witches and demons. It’s full packed, action driven with witty conversations and interesting plot. Cassandra Clare created a fantastic world with such ease. She tells so much yet it’s easy to understand and imagine. As if you just step into a portal and transported in this new world she created.

The writing is neither poetic nor lyrical, it’s more direct and story driven. But it never spoil the description of the unseen world Cassandra Clare built. A new world that is dark, magical, enchanting and edgy. Written in a third-person point of view with different view points used, the story is unbelievably good. She switch views from one character to another without breaking the flow of events. She balances all viewpoints well, and each time, we want just a little more.

The characters are simply great. All are consistent and like-able. Clary as the protagonist shows a strong character. She may not have the physical strength like the other characters but she know how to carry her self. She is smart enough to focus on her mission saving her Mother. She didn’t let anyone push her around. Despite being attracted to Jace, she is not consumed by it, but focus on what is really matters in her life.

Jace is my favorite character in this book. He is good at what he does, quick-witted and sharp tongued. It’s fascinating that in-spite of his strong persona, he has this sense of humor that is so refreshing. I enjoyed his arrogance and sarcastic humor even sometimes it get a bit much, it was still fun nonetheless. The interaction between him and Clary often bring me to laughter. With his tragic past and shadow of mystery he is surely someone to look forward to the next book.

The supporting characters were all well developed and beautifully written. Cassandra Clare captures their distinct personalities incredibly well. Isabelle, Alec, Luke and Simon all played a fairly large role in the story even Magnus Bane and Hodge Starkweather. Each characters are creatively used in the story and not just get thrown around to used as plot devices. I can’t wait to see what Cassandra does with all the characters in the rest of this series.

Overall, City of Bones is a fun read. With a whole bunch of paranormal creatures, characters to love and a plot that makes almost 500 pages seems short this book is worth every page. Cassandra Clare will not just make you read each words she written but will let you absorb, experience and bring them to life. Definitely worth reading.