Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

WARNING: If you haven't read books 1 - 3 of the Mortal Instruments series, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

C i t y o f  F a l l e n  A n g e l s by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 4/5/11

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 424
Series: City of Bones ; City of Ashes ; City of Glass - (Listed in consecutive order.)

Source: Own/purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble (Exclusive edition!) | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Edgier, darker, and infinitely more sexy!

"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 how 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 the 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." --front flap

OhmiGod!OhmiGod!OhmiGOD! Please tell me, that if you're reading this, you've read CoFA! God, I forgot how much I loved this series, loved Cassie Clare's writing. That's one of my favorite aspects - her writing style. It's addictive, descriptive without being overwhelming, and one can tell that she planned and weaved this story to perfection. Gosh, I really, really missed this series, and only just now realized it! And a myriad of emotions are swiping at me from everywhere. I don't know what to feel; all I know is that I love CoFA, probably a lot more than the last three books. (Though the first ARC of TMI is fantastic!)

I'm not going to lie. I was a little skeptical about starting up again with TMI. Mainly, because I liked that City of Glass ended the way that it did, despite the obscure loose ends Clare left untied. But, after reading CoFA, I realized that this part of the story had to be, needed to be told. Without it, the series itself would still make sense, but this... this is taking the Shadowhunter-Downworlder world to a whole new level, with tons more depth.

Again, I missed this series! I missed the characters. Jace, his arrogant sarcasm and underlying vulnerability, which he skillfully hides with massive waves of snark; Clary, sweet and relatable with spunk sprinkled on top; Simon, nerdy, super cute vampire dude and bff to Clary, whom you can't help but love (his weird humor really does me in, everytime); Isabelle, with her indifferent demeanor and wicked humor; ALEC&MAGNUS - had to put these two together - because they're adorable, funny when they fight, and pretty much my all-time favorite couple ever. (Wish there were more Alec-Magnus scenes in the series, period.) Magnus has this 'larger than life' personality, naturally flamboyant and utterly wise, and Alec is kind of sort of shy/quiet with an aura of toughness. I yearned for this cast without realizing. I don't think many have been able to successfully create such a cast of characters, so memorable, it would be hard to forget them.

And, Oh my God! the plot! You know those loose ends that I mentioned before? Yeah, somehow, Clare managed to weave them together to create this riveting storyline in which the unexpected is bound to happen. That's probably one of the qualities I love most about her writing! Her subtle and sometimes notso subtle hint-dropping... and then you end up still not figuring out the entirety of ending, of what's going to happen next. How does she do this? *shrugs* Don't have a freaking clue, but it's addicting. I began hating cliffhangers because of her. She's a master at it.

The villains... the demons.. the mysterious killings... kidnappings... Simon... and then the whole Clary-Jace, Alec-Magnus, Isabelle-Simon, and Maia-Kyle mess! And even though they defeated Valentine, it still seems like he's alive, that there are still traces of him, in that I mean, in CoFA, the Shadowhunter world still has to deal with the aftershocks of his actions. So, it's like Valentine, in a way, isn't completely gone. His influence has remained...

I always feel like, when I read these books, that I've been sucked into this never-ending movie. It plays in my head, and I watch from a distance, yet almost as if I'm part of it. I become engrossed in the surroundings, the battles, the mysteries, and the characters... Like I said, I missed Clare's work, big time. And speaking of, LOVED the name-dropping and other references to her TID prequel series, which, thankfully, I also own. I loved CLOCKWORK ANGEL, so I loved it every time a reference was made. Thing is, from past experience, there's always a reason/purpose to everything Clare writes in her novels. Including name-dropping. So, I wonder what's in store for us readers in the next two books of the series.

Love, love, love this series! Thank you, Clare, for continuing it, and delivering a fantastic fourth installment with CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS!

"'You know, some people think Shadowhunters are just myths. Like mummies and genies.' Kyle grinned at Jace. 'Can you grant wishes?'
The fact that Kyle had called Clary cute did not seem to have endeared him to Jace, whose face had tightened alarmingly. 'That depends,' he said. 'Do you wish to be punched in the face?'" (140)

"The Shadowhunter guard stepped back as the door opened, and Maryse came into the room. She was followed by two figures immediately familiar to Simon: Isabelle's brother Alec, and his boyfriend, the warlock Magnus Bane.
Alec was dressed in a sober black suit; Magnus, to Simon's surprise, was similarly dressed, with the addition of a long white silk scarf with tasseled ends and a pair of white gloves. His hair stood up like it always did, but for a change he was devoid of glitter" (249).

"'We know each other.' Mangus shrugged, very slightly, as if to say, What can you do? 'Once upon a time she was my girlfriend.'
'Your girlfriend?' Alec looked astonished. So did Maryse. Simon couldn't say he was unastonished himself. 'You dated a vampire? A girl vampire?'" (250-251)

'You can't be rude to everyone who talks to me[, Alec].'
Alec made a wide, sweeping gesture. 'And why not? Cramping your style, am I? I mean, maybe you were hoping to flirt with werewolf boy here. He's pretty attractive, if you like the messy-haired, broad-shouldered, chiseled-good-looks type...'
Magnus put his head in his hands.
'Or there are plenty of pretty girls here, since apparently your taste goes both ways. Is there anything you aren't into?'
'Mermaids,' said Magnus into his fingers. 'They always smell like seaweed' (295)...

Okay, I have to stop now.

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!