City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: April 5th 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Point of View: 3rd Person & Alternative (Simon & Clary – majoritarily)
Genres & Themes: YA, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Demons, Werevolves, Witches, Mystery, Action, Love, LGBT.

BLURB:

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.

REVIEW:

I realized something, while being completely immersed in this sequel: I’ve been a bad bad reader, in the past, toward this series. Not only because I’ve postponed reading this book (in my defence, I really had to finish Clockwork Angel first so I can actually know who ‘Camille’ is) but also for another reason entirely.

I didn’t care. I didn’t care enough about the characters before, Alec & Magnus excluded. I didn’t even try to. I mean, I liked them enough but… Alec & Magnus were the ones I kept focusing on, in every single chapter and, when they weren’t around, I was still thinking about them and processing and replaying in my mind what I’ve just learned regarding them. Or felt. Craving for the next scene I’ll see the lovely couple in was never something new to me. And that’s, I think, not right. Being my favorite series ever, I should have paid more attention to the other characters too. Because they’re great! This is the only The Mortal Instruments book in which I didn’t miss doing that and discovered some new qualities and endearing information on the characters I’ve known of before such as Simon (especially him), Jace and Isabelle. Clary is the heroine, so there barely is any – if none at all – secret she’s keeping that we don’t know about, but I did feel closer to her in this one too.

That was my dirty little secret, heh. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to re-read book 1, 2 & 3 for a third time. C’est dommage. *wink* *wink*

This book was actually fun, strangely. It felt more like an ‘in between’ written story than a sequel itself. It’s like the author wanted to take some time off the actual immense and complex plot and focus really on the relationship between the characters. For instance, Clary & Jace, Simon & Maia & Isabelle (you go, man!), Jocelyn & Luke, Alec & Magnus, etc. And I loved this book for it. Of course, there was some actual action and mystery too, but I do admit it being slower than the two previous ones. However, it being different didn’t make it disappointing at all. This book, like I mentioned, helped me connect with the cast more and I’m grateful for it, since I will probably love the next two books *to the moon and back* because of it and not just *really really* love them.

I don’t think I ever realized how sweet and funny Simon actually is. Sarcastic, quite in fact, but a good kind of sarcastic. And Jace…he appeared vulnerable in this. It was pleasant to see for once how much he loves Clary and being given proof for it. Or perhaps it is that this made me believe in their relationship even more. And Clary, well, as always, she can be naïve and give her trust too quickly. But all that made a great melange and brought a nice atmosphere.

Magnus is so cute. Awe moment:
He touched her cheek. It was colder than the floor had been. ‘‘You could give me the past,’’ he said a little sadly. ‘‘But Alec is my future.’’

Woah, Magnus Bane can be romantic. Too bad Alec didn’t hear…or did he? *grins*

A must read! I have seen many being disappointed by this sequel but, still, don’t hesitate if you’re a fan of the series!

Sources:
– Clary & Jace
– Luke & Jocelyn
– Alec & Magnus
– Simon & Isabelle