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City of Fallen Angels

(The Mortal Instruments #4)

Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)

4.09 · Rating details · 548,139 ratings · 25,338 reviews

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. ...more

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Hardcover, First Edition, 425 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

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Start your review of City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)

Dec 14, 2010 Lyndsey rated it did not like it

Shelves: reviewed-2011, to-read-definitely, reviewed-1-star, pov-alternating, new-release

Right after I finished this book, I had a bit of an accident. I was running with a pair of lightsabers when I tripped and fell and accidentally sliced the entire book to shreds!! Maybe it's not a good idea to run with lightsabers...

City of Fallen Angels is amazing - Oh wait, that was weird, my keyboard cut me off. This is some sort of conspiracy isn't it? Like the way that certain unnamed sites sometimes don't like to publish non-glowing reviews. I never write those. *angelic smile* Oh, did that ...more

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Feb 15, 2016 Jesse (JesseTheReader) rated it liked it · review of another edition

full video review / discussion can be found here: https://youtu.be/DH542vupm0g

(3.5)

I enjoyed this, but it just didn't wow me. I also think it struggled finding it's footing after an epic book like city of glass, but I do realize that I should consider this last portion of the series to be it's own trilogy, since that's what Cassandra Clare originally had in mind. I'm glad that I decided to re-read this before continuing on with the series, because I remembered basically nothing from this book a ...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Vinaya rated it did not like it

Shelves: jeez-they-ll-publish-anything, ya-fantasy, worst-book-ever, stab-kill-shred-burn, books-i-hated, the-nightmare-hasnt-ended, dont-read-if-you-value-your-sanity, maybe-when-i-m-desperate

As human society evolves, so do its methods of torture

Let me start off this review with a small confession. I liked The Mortal Instruments. Yes, it was cheesy, it was derivative, and it was an embarrassment to good literature everywhere, but it gave me a couple of afternoons’ worth of guilty pleasure, and I was satisfied. I enjoyed the fast-paced action and the triumph of true love, and I was happy to leave Jace and Clary to enjoy the fruits of their labour in happily-ever-after land.

But th ...more

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Aug 24, 2009 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, covers-to-die-for

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I ahh, think that I....I don’t know....
I literally just finished this book and I’m at a loss of words to describe it. Was it brilliant? Yes! Was it fantastic? Yes! Was it worth the wait? Yes, yes, yes....lord yes! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book an entire lifetime. Yes, that may seem weird, but that’s how I feel. There have been waits for books that I thought would kill me-Richelle Mead's Last Sacrifice being a big one- but none like this. I was happy and satisfied when City of Glass I ahh, think that I....I don’t know....
I literally just finished this book and I’m at a loss of words to describe it. Was it brilliant? Yes! Was it fantastic? Yes! Was it worth the wait? Yes, yes, yes....lord yes! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book an entire lifetime. Yes, that may seem weird, but that’s how I feel. There have been waits for books that I thought would kill me-Richelle Mead's Last Sacrifice being a big one- but none like this. I was happy and satisfied when City of Glass ended, but learning that Clare decided to write more books was just the icing on the cake. It’s been a while between books, but this was more or less everything I expected and more!

It was different and yet completely the same. There’s no way to pretend that the characters haven’t changed--that they’re not different and that everything that went into the storyline and plot of the first 3 books hasn’t changed. That chapter of the series is over and a new dawn has emerged (yes, cheesy, I know, but sue me).
The characters were still the amazing, incredible people that stole my heart throughout the first 3 books and being with them again was a lot like coming home from a long trip. I must say---I thought Jordan was an awesome inclusion! I always thought Maia’s ex was a real jerk, but he’s nothing like I thought or expected and I love that.
I will admit that I did miss seeing more of Clary and Jace. They’re still my fave everything of this series, fave characters, fave couple, but I still loved the book regardless. It was so strange getting such an in-depth look into Simon and following him the most. Obviously the books have always changed POV’s, jumping back and forth, but it’s always been fixed mostly on Clary, whereas this time it was more Simon than anything else. And yet... I didn’t have a problem with that.
I love Simon--always have--and even though I never wanted him to be the one Clary ended up with, I still wanted the best for him. He’s still the same great Simon he’s always been, but he’s slightly different too. I think he’s got a long way to go and there’s a lot of growth that I think will happen to him. I can’t wait to see though...

It’s odd, when the last book ended, if anyone had asked me, I’d have been one of the few people who actually said they wanted Maia to be with Simon, but after this book it’s plain to see that Izzy is the one that for him! Perhaps I’m late to the party, but it always seemed to me that she was a bit much for him and (even though I love her, heart and soul) I didn’t believe she was right for him. I honestly thought that Maia and he would have made a better couple, but after this book I’ll never think that way again. Perhaps it was Jordan coming into the storyline and seeing how he and Maia were/are, but I finally looked and realised that Simon and Isabelle really have something. There’s so much more to Izzy than we’ve seen and I think that Simon may actually break through her defences and worm his way into her heart if she lets him!
Oh, and it goes without saying that I want Maia and Jordan back together too. Hello? Weren’t they just perfect together? The issues they have and Maia wanting to rip him to shreds aside.

I was sad to see so many issues for Clary and Jace in this book, but I can’t say I was surprised either. I knew Cassandra Clare wouldn’t just let them be. It seems like they’ve been through so much, but of course it’s not the end for them, no sir-ee. There are more problems facing them and new struggles, but I don’t doubt for a second that they can get through it.....somehow. That’s not to say that I didn’t love every single moment they were together, because I did. I absolutely did! The moments between Clary and Jace were electric. Every time they’re together, every kiss, every time they touch, things just sizzle. I’ve loved a lot of book couples over time, but none compared to them. They’re like no other. You can’t deny that they’re made for one another, you can’t miss the chemistry they have. It’s truly impossible not to see and feel. They just go together so well, they both make each other better. Jace makes Clary stronger, and she’s his whole world. She means he world to him and it makes me giggly inside (Yeah, yeah, yeah....I went there =D)

This book was perfectly paced and the ending was a heart-stopping roller coaster ride. So much happened and I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to see how Simon, Jace and Clary would get out of things. I couldn’t believe that Lilith was trying to bring Sebastian back. There’s no one who deserves to stay dead more than him...well, perhaps expect Valentine.
The ending of this book was jaw dropping. I. Could. Not. Believe. It! Still can’t, if I’m honest here. I cannot believe that Sebastian is alive again and what he’s done to Jace. It’s shocking, it’s exciting, it’s heart-breaking, it’s everything I didn’t want, but at the same time I CANNOT wait to see what’s going to happen next.
The next book is going to be a showstopper--I can so tell—and I can’t wait to see what happens now. Can Clary and everyone else manage to free Jace from Sebastian? Can they defeat Sebastian? Just what does this mean now?

God! I NEEEEEED the next book, like stat! Seriously, this series is just brilliant and I can’t wait for the next instalment!
Bring on the awesome!
...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Kiki rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: Shadowhunters

Recommended to Kiki by: Downworlders

Shelves: ya, angels-and-demons, decent-vampires, werewolves, lost-the-will-to-live

Le sigh. Or more like le fuck, am I right? Who the hell is this? Who is she? What happened to her? Alas, I've stopped caring, and my skin looks better already. ...more

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Mar 02, 2010 Penny rated it did not like it

Shelves: angels-demons, should-never-have-been-published, wish-i-could-unread, bro-mance, i-think-i-m-gonna-be-sick, reviewed-books, check-your-brain-at-the-door, urban-fantasy, disappointing, zombies-aliens-vampires-dinos

The plot of City of Fallen Angels by pennenickel

---

Official review (posted April 14, 2011):

An Open Letter to Cassandra Clare:

Dear Ms Clare,

You're not Joss Whedon. You'll never be Joss Whedon and/or J.K. Rowling, so do yourself (and everyone else) a favor: stop trying.

Yours Truly,
Someone Who Deserves Their Money Back (A.K.A. Everyone Who Bought a Copy of City of Fallen Angels)

P.S. What were you thinking?

P.P.S. No seriously, what were you thinking when you decided to revive this series? Were ...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Steph Sinclair rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: Someone who wants to loose brain cells

Recommended to Steph by: A friend, who should run and cower under their bed from my fury

Shelves: if-i-m-feeling-masochistic, disappointment, hated-it-with-a-firey-passion, angels, 2011-reads, alternating-povs, youve-got-to-be-kidding-me, no-just-no, didn-t-care-for-it, fey

Wow, there's four days of my life spent reading this book that I'll never get back. And it normally doesn't take me that long, but I had to self motivate myself with promises of chocolate ("If you just read one more page..."), just to get through it.

I usually don't give too many books only 1 star. In fact there is only one book I can think of that angered me this much and that was The Vampire Diaries: The Return. I only got 50 pages deep into it before I flung it across the room. So I am very pr ...more

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Aug 10, 2018 Melanie rated it did not like it

Shelves: fae, paranormal, shifters, angels, lgbtqiap, vampires, young-adult, demons, fantasy, read-in-2018

1.) City of Bones ★★★
2.) City of Ashes ★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★

“Why is it, little Shadowhunter, that your angels are so cold and without mercy? Why do they break that which will not obey them?”

Okay, I’m going to start this review off by saying that I am reading this for the first time in 2018. I know this is almost a decade old. And I know so many of my friends hold this series close to their hearts and have a lot of nostalgia for it. But friends, this was a dam ...more

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Nov 23, 2014 Candace rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: listened-to-audio-version, love-triangles, childhood-loves, dangerous-hero-themed-books-read, forbidden-romance, paranormal

The fourth book in the series, 'City of Fallen Angels' was a bit of a disappointment for me. That isn't to say it wasn't enjoyable though. I liked it, but it wasn't as great as the earlier books, in my opinion. It was lukewarm for me, at best.

While the third book seemed to leave off on a promising note, this book quickly rained on my parade. Just when I thought that they were making progress in their war against "evil", everything goes and gets messed up again. The guys, in particular, were grat ...more

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Dec 31, 2020 megs_bookrack rated it really liked it · review of another edition

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Even though I wasn't as enamored with this 4th-installment of Cassie Clare's Mortal Instruments series as I was with the earlier books, I still really enjoyed it.

Please note, since City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in a series, there will be minor spoilers within this review. Assuming pretty much the entire world has read it, I will not be hiding them.

Following the events of City of Glass, our group has returned to New York City. Simon has now been a vampire for ab ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-all, own

I love the green UK edition of this book. I just love all the UK editions of these books!

I have enjoyed this book more than the first three. I like how we get to see more into Simon's vampire world and what he is now. He's like totally bad to the bone, but not in a dude way because he's still Simon the nerd we love. But, in a can't touch this kinda way. If you have read the book or read the book you will know what I mean.

I loved the new character, Kyle/Jordon. He's cool and I like him a lot. I ...more

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Jun 23, 2018 destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries] rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-p, fantasy, ya

#1 City of Bones ★★★★☆
#2 City of Ashes ★★★☆☆
#3 City of Glass ★★★★☆
#4 City of Fallen Angels ★★★★★
#5 City of Lost Souls ★★★★★
#6 City of Heavenly Fire

You know how, sometimes, you pick up a series that’s already popular, and everyone tells you, “Book ___ is the best!” and “Book ___ is the worst!”, and so you set up these weird sorts of expectations in your subconscious, and then you go into the one that everyone tells you is the “worst” and you’re like… “holy crap, this book is amazing”?

No? Just me ...more

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Apr 08, 2011 aidanadia rated it it was ok

Shelves: unpalatable-literature, fooled-by-the-cover, ya-fantasy, headache-worthy

SPOILER ALERT
Cassandra Clare really should have let sleeping dogs lie.

“City of Fallen Angels” is yet another book in the Young Adult category that lacks the “element of surprise.” The fact that this book was even written despite formerly having established that ‘The Mortal Instruments’ series to be a trilogy is evidence enough that Clare was tempted by her successes within the urban fantasy genre, and decided to continue.

The fact that Clare continued the story is not my problem; it is the mann SPOILER ALERT
Cassandra Clare really should have let sleeping dogs lie.

“City of Fallen Angels” is yet another book in the Young Adult category that lacks the “element of surprise.” The fact that this book was even written despite formerly having established that ‘The Mortal Instruments’ series to be a trilogy is evidence enough that Clare was tempted by her successes within the urban fantasy genre, and decided to continue.

The fact that Clare continued the story is not my problem; it is the manner in which the plotline has been executed (which to reiterate lacks the element of surprise) that disappoints me. “City of Glass” ended definitively - bad, bad Valentine is dead, the seeds of harmony have been sewn between Nephilim and Downworlders, and Jace and Clary get their mushy, predictable happily ever after. It seems as though with this newest installation, Clare asked herself, “How can I possibly continue this?” and unfashionably, she dug up open ended dramatic quotes, such as “to love is to destroy”, and used them in order to create tension. Instead of putting faith in the audience’s imagination to keep her story alive, our beloved author took the task into her own hands and ironically, destroyed all that she forged with love.

Clary and Jace start to have relationship problems. Magnus and Alec start to have relationship problems. Simon is dating two girls simultaneously, one of which would realistically have never given him the time of day, because his latest vampirism is apparently a way for Isabelle to see the goodness of his heart and appreciate him beyond his looks (not that those enhanced cheekbones aren’t delicious). Oh, and I almost forgot, Sebastian Verlac/Jonathan Morgernstern isn’t quite dead! I feel almost insulted; Cassandra Clare is treating us, the audience, as though we are infantile, or to borrow her words, as the “mundanes” that her characters so obviously despise. Instead of providing us with a decent, realistic plotline, Clare’s chosen to do nothing other than sever all that she previously created with her words.

I will admit, if you’re looking for a quick fix, “City of Fallen Angels” is quite an easy and enjoyable read. The fact that this installation is Simon-centric was a pleasant attempted insight into the undead life - a brilliant contradiction - of the otherwise nerdy, annoying tagalong who unfortunately happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jordan Kyle, despite the ridiculous name, was an interesting addition considering the tumultuous past with Maia (if you can get past the tortured internals soap opera). And don't you dare forget this season’s Big Bad, Lilith - yes, it's that demon bitch in yet another fantasy! Besides the astounding fact that Clare is too lazy to create her own villain and has decided to steal from God, she didn't even let this melodramatic page-turner develop on her own! Why must Clare handfeed me all the information? Alec and Isabelle spitting out past lectures on Greater Demons seemed to be a cheap attempt at unravelling whatever mystery that Lilith was. She ran away from Adam and God said “Thou shalt be barren forever, infidel!”? That’s a wonderful backdrop there, Ms. Clare, but could you be any more subtle? Having one of your characters race through the history as though it were ordering lunch is not in the least bit believable. I want you to show me, not hold my hand and tell me what I need to cram before the big exam.

All I ever see nowadays is young adult novels being dominated by devastatingly beautiful characters. It would be unfair for me to blame only Clare for this trend, but she never needed to follow it. The fact that Clare seems to think her fan base will stay tethered to her through the creation of beautiful superhumans makes me question her writing skills - does she not have the ability to keep her audience enthralled with unattractive characters? Actually, let’s take a step back: why are only the superhumans beautiful? Simon as a human - a nuisance, and nothing much to look at. Simon as a vampire - handsome and having trouble juggling the ladies. Clary as a mundane - androgynous body shape; no breasts, no hips. Clary as a Shadowhunter - one up the bra size! Look at those hips form! Apparently, not only is New York full of gorgeous creatures, but not one of them is human. Way to be realistic, huh?

In the end, however, what bothers me the most is how desperate Clare is to save her characters falling from grace. Simon, in spite of toying with two potential girlfriends simultaneously, is forgiven by each! And that wretched Mark of Cain? Yes, the sevenfold vengeance is all very lovely, but what about the other part of the curse - “thou shalt wander the earth a fugitive”? If Simon is cursed to be a wanderer until the end of eternity, then how was Isabelle rushing to his aid? Why is Jace choosing to go to Simon, why is Clary still his best friend, and why is Kyle his protector? How could they possibly choose him if there is a powerful, binding curse that is constantly working to separate Simon from his loved ones? We know that the curse works because assassins impressively crumble to salt at Simon’s feet, so why on earth are we ignoring the second-half, the depressing part of the curse? I’m torn between branding it an obvious plot-hole, or just Ms. Clare’s overwhelming desire not to let one of her beloved characters exist alone. In my eyes, this undermines Clare’s integrity as a writer - if she cannot commit to the maxim she has presented for Simon, then how much can we truly trust her storytelling skill?

The first three books, riddled as they were with bona-fide plot holes and histrionic dialogue, were to a degree more fathomable. Clare created a definitive story arc I could readily engage with. While “City of Fallen Angels” didn’t make me contemplate skewering my eyeballs or washing my brain with bleach, it is not one I will return to in the near future. Instead of keeping me on my toes, Clare cheaply proffered a broken story arc for a few more minutes in the spotlight, and ultimately destroyed her credibility as a writer who values constancy.

You can keep a story going on forever, but sometimes, you just aren’t meant to.

...more

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May 11, 2017 Bgurl (don't h8 me cuz I'm honestful) rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Teen Angst, Snark, & Hawt Guys

Shelves: hero-possessive-jealous, war-death-and-destruction, coming-of-age, dialogue-witty, review-type-top-5-list, side-characters-awesome, he-only-has-eyes-for-her, hero-loyal, supernatural, cliffhanger-ahead

TOP 5 ANGSTY ISSUES IN City of Fallen Angels.

description

SHOW OF HANDS: How many of you took a ginormous break after reading City of Glass (TMI #3)? *Raises Hand* How many of you put off reading City of Fallen Angels (TMI #4) because you couldn’t remember all of the messed up shite our favorite Shadowhunters and their friends have been dealing with? *Raises Hand* Well, good news, Peeps! I've got The Top 5 Angsty Issues in City of Fallen Angels right here, listed from least to most angstalicious. Enjoy!

#5. ...more

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Oct 02, 2010 Caitlin rated it it was ok

Seriously Clare? Serious-freakin'-ly?

1.) Why does everyone have to fall in love? Or in most cases--get angry with each other, fight and then fall in love again.

2.) I'm so sick of sulking Jace. No--I'm so flippin' sick of Jace and Clary. All they do is mope, make-out, mope again and profess their love for each other. Talk about beating a dead horse. Plus it's boring.

3). Honestly, the ending didn't shock me. Sorry.

4.) Is it me, or did the editing suck?

5.) What's up with all the blood? I mean, like ...more

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Jun 17, 2016 Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, read-in-2016, young-new-adult

3 Everybody hurts Stars

Spoilers

This one wasn't as good for me as the others. Jace and Clary had a ton of drama going on and where pretty much apart the whole book. Which I didn't like. They can't catch a break to save their lives. Simon was dating two girls at the same time and I didn't like that. Simon was sweet the last 3 books now in this book he does douchebag things like dating two girls. That is not like Simon! Alec and Magnus had a big fight over Magnus's past and the fact that he wi ...more

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Jun 23, 2021 Ishika rated it really liked it

Ahhh I did it again. This is Heather by Conan Gray (hate this as much as you want but don't ever insult Conan infront of me or...🔪🔪)

🚫SPOILER ALERT🚫

I still remember when Jace was Clary's brother, he still did kiss her
So don't expect something better from these two
Only if they knew how much everyone says eww
As soon as they say

Their lines
They might be a cause of our sore eyes
Better is Kaz taking out the bad man's eye
They'll be the cause of death of mine

Why would Jace ever love her?
She's not eve ...more

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Dec 16, 2018 Chelsea Humphrey rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: library

One down, two more Mortal Instruments to go.

*Shout out to the Loudoun County library for carrying the kindle version so I don't have to lug around these honking big hardcovers. You're the real hero here.

...more

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Mar 15, 2016 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it

Shelves: 21th-century, romance, paranormal, united-states, thriller, fantasy

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4), Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.

The series was meant to end with City of Glass; it was announced in March 2010 that a fourth book would be added, with Cassandra Clare later saying that she views this as a "second trilogy" in the series.

The book was released on April 5, 2011. Simon receives an offer from a vampire named Camille Belcourt who claims to have been usurped b ...more

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Apr 17, 2011 John Egbert rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: Nobody.

Shelves: thanks-for-ruining-my-favorite-myth, never-will-finish, annoyed-after-reading

Dear CC,

What is wrong with you?

I suppose it isn't really fair. After all, I did come into this book expecting to dislike it. I did have warnings that it was bad, and I did plan on heeding them. But, alas, I succumbed to the anxiety and curiosity that lurked in the back of my mind when I glanced at the pdf on my desktop.

And then it began.

Between the contrived Jace/Clary angst("OMG, joo will leaves me!" "I will neva leaves joo!" "No, but joo will leaves me!" "I will neva leaves joo!" and repeat ...more

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Jan 16, 2021 Layla rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-star, buddy-reads, cassandra-clare, re-read-2021

~ 1.5 stars ~

(Re-read 1/19/20)

This book was so useless. It isn't City of Ashes bad, but it's much worse than City of Glass. I don't know why this series wasn't just left as a trilogy. I have never been so bored in my life, and I don't know how I'm going to survive the next two books. It took me too long to finish it, because it was so bad that I preferred to do homework over actually reading it. So 1.5 stars because Magnus exists and I'm feeling generous.

This was a buddy read with red_tulip_girl ...more

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Feb 07, 2010 Ciara rated it it was amazing

I watched Cassie Clare read this to some kids in France on youtube, the parts she read werent even connected to the plot, it was just about 2 pages worth of rising action, and i already have it marked down onnmy calander. This was the first book i ever read in third person and i didnt think i was going to like it. I read the first 3 pages of City of Bones and i was hooked. After that i couldnt wait for City of Ashes or Glass. After City of Glass i didnt think she would write any more because i t ...more

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Feb 04, 2011 Lucy rated it did not like it

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, self-inflicted-and-i-knew-better

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I remember watching a scene in a sitcom where two people were talking about a soap opera they enjoyed. The guy admitted he was behind on it because he'd stopped watching it a few years before. The woman replied, "That's okay. You stopped around [insert whatever event]? Well, it's later that same day and... blah-blah."

Soap operas do this really weird thing where time seems to stagnate and a lot of events happen in a small window. Actors and actresses may change out, but they'll still ride the sam I remember watching a scene in a sitcom where two people were talking about a soap opera they enjoyed. The guy admitted he was behind on it because he'd stopped watching it a few years before. The woman replied, "That's okay. You stopped around [insert whatever event]? Well, it's later that same day and... blah-blah."

Soap operas do this really weird thing where time seems to stagnate and a lot of events happen in a small window. Actors and actresses may change out, but they'll still ride the same very prolonged story arch into the ground. I immediately felt that way when I picked up City of Fallen Angels. The original trilogy takes place during a few weeks of one summer. The problem with doing this is it makes Clary and Jace's relationship drive me utterly insane. (Alright, maybe it did that in other ways, but this my friends is the icing on the seven layer cake.) They've known each other a few weeks -- thought they were siblings for a significant portion of that time, but their romance is supposed to be epic, see-into-your-soul, and not at all just about lust... which you can maybe buy if not for the fact that they've spent a couple of weeks together. Unrealistic portrayals of romantic love are nothing new to the YA fantasy genre, but the timeline here is exceptionally bad.

The story was originally supposed to be Simon's story with the rest of the cast taking a more backseat role. I was surprised to switch to Clary's POV in the first few chapters but not really shocked. Clare has a big problem with POV. She switches it on a whim and in the middle of scenes. You are constantly privy to thoughts and ideas you really should have been allowed to come to on your own through subtext. The story is primarily told through Simon and Clary's POVs, but that doesn't stop scenes from Isabelle's POV (something that came out of no where in my opinion) and, of course, the boy wonder Jace's POV. Sometimes a scene is from one character's POV when it would be so, so much more interesting to get it from someone else's. When you really want to know what Jace is feeling you get Clary's POV and observations on why he is the way he is instead of just direct insight.

To me, it came across as a bit of a hot mess. I don't particularly enjoy first person books, but I really hate all this over the shoulder jumping. Clare has no idea how to transition or keep focus. It felt lazy and cheap. For example: tossing us into Alec's raging jealousy for a few pages. We didn't benefit from it at all; the story didn't benefit from it at all. It wasn't necessary, we got that he was jealous in other scenes and it added nothing to the story except pages...

Which is something City of Fallen Angels is light on -- pages. It's probably the slimmest book in the series? I expected a brick. I thought if she had more story to tell we were going to get walloped with it. The thin book and the severe plot holes made me feel like this book was a money making gimmick more than anything else. A lot of reviewers I respect have called the first three books out for some lazy writing or sloppy fantasy building. I only wish they could read this book. It never once felt like there was actually more story to tell. Maybe it took a fourth book for me to appreciate that City of Glass ended the right way. It felt a lot more solid than the new plots thrown at us... and I could say I felt they were thrown in there literally. The new plots were not woven into the old, just dropped down like a brick house.

There's some stuff going on with Simon and the vampires, but it's pretty paltry. Simon's plots contribute to Clary and Jace's plot, not vice verse, which to me is an important distinction. His story wasn't exactly stronger, but it was more interesting. I wanted to know more about what happened with his acclimation to being a vampire a hell of a lot more than I wanted to hear Clary and Jace lament over and over again about how unworthy they were of one another. I wanted to slap the two of them with a copy of Romeo and Juliet and tell them to try the cold embrace of death so they could always, always be together.

Given the time frame and the sibling factor, Clary and Jace barely got to be together before the BIG PLOT in this book tears them apart all over again. We get to see very little of them actually being together. It really is mostly wangsting about how Clary's mother thinks Jace is Valentine revisited and how Jace half agrees with her.

Jocelyn is my next point. She's all DPS (Disappearing Parent Syndrome) in the original trilogy. She's out of her coma now and around to let Clary know she Disapproves of her romantic relations... Um. God. It so reminded me of Linger's follow up to Shiver where Grace's absentee parents pay attention long enough to hate on Sam. Jocelyn disapproves of Jace because he was raised by Valentine... Yeah, well Clary is Valentine's biological child, Jocelyn. If crazy is hereditary I'd be more worried about my own little red haired super villain before poking at other people's kids. Jace was only half raised by Valentine. Half his life was with the Lightwoods and he almost exclusively thought he was a Wayland! On top of that he is ACTUALLY a Herondale. (And, yes, I hate myself for knowing all of these names so perfectly.) Valentine had some influence, but seriously, it felt like a really obscure thing to be worried about. If we have to worry about Jace's childhood and development be more concerned that every adult in his life has been untrustworthy to one degree or another.

I'll read the next book for three reasons: 1. I don't want these books to have exclusive 5 star ratings they don't deserve. 2. I have thus far resisted the urge to ever rate a book I haven't read. 3. I want to see if a 'plot' actually develops.

I preordered this book with Red Glove and I've got to say of the two Holly Black's series has been the better experience for me. I plan on rereading and reviewing it next because I kind of tore through it in a fit of joy... what? It's been known to happen! ...more

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Mar 17, 2014 P rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult

“Hearts are breakable," Isabelle said. "And I think even when you heal, you're never what you were before".”

After Valentine was down in the previous book, Sebastian is ready to takeover his father's tasks. CoFA is completely cruel and cunning, but the way CC treated our beloved characters isn't what I like. She gave them their HEA and ripped it away in the first half of this book I wanted to sob for hours for every single thing between the chapters. I didn't like it at all. I wanted to thro ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Beenish rated it really liked it

Shelves: cassandra-clare, ya

3.5★
This book, seemed a little better than before. Yes. But, when it comes to rating these books, it just disturbs my rating system. Anyway, this is 4 coz despite all things I didn't like, got bored or something, it's one that adds up to something big so 3.5 FALLEN STARS!

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊
(If you haven't read till book 3, don't even start reading this)

Writing Style: I think, this is a lot like book 1 in the sense that, there's too much info dumping, new characters and relationships and situat ...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Katrina Passick Lumsden rated it it was ok

Did Cassandra Clare mix up manuscripts and put the wrong characters in this book? I know it's far-fetched, but I'm trying to understand how else a bunch of funny, intriguing characters could turn into such whiny bores.

Jace is brooding and unfunny, Clary is pissy and unfunny, Simon is depressed and unfunny, Isabelle is....just sort of there (oh, and unfunny), Alec is...wait, Alec isn't there for most of it. But when he is, he's immature and unfunny. Even Magnus is unfunny. Magnus!

Let's try and ...more

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Aug 29, 2015 Mikee (ReadWithMikee) rated it it was ok

After reading The Infernal Devices, I didn't think the last half of The Mortal Instruments would live up to the expectations that the prequels set, and this book proved me right. At least just in this case. City of Fallen Angels is by far my least favorite book in this series.

This book was just filled with stupid relationship drama. Relationship drama between no other than Clary and Jace. No surprise there! Relationship drama between Simon, Isabelle, and Maia. Relationship drama betw ...more

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Aug 19, 2015 Emma Giordano rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

hi i've obviously read this book a million times but i'm just adding it to my "read" for this year ...more

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Aug 24, 2009 Brigid ✩ rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, paranormal, werewolves, romance, angels, demons, vampires

GAAHHHHH! *Lets out a scream that lasts for about ten minutes*

Okay. Well. I'm not sure where to begin.

I guess I'm a bit torn on this one. Don't get me wrong. I loved it. It was epic. As good as the first three? No, but still great.

My main problem with it was, this was originally going to be a trilogy. And although a lot was left open-ended at the end of the third book, it still felt like a happy ending. The main villain was dead (and the other villain was probably dead), most of the romantic iss ...more

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May 10, 2020 Hamad rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya, 2021-reads, paperbacks

This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷 Support me ☕

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

City of Bones ★★★ 1/2
City of Ashes ★★ 1/2
City of Glass ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Angel ★★★ 1/2
Clockwork Prince ★★★ 3/4
Clockwork Princess ★★★★ 1/2
City of Fallen Angels ★★

As you can see from my ratings of the Shadow-hunter novels so far, City of Fallen Angel is my least favorite! It was City of Ashes up to this point but now CoFA ste ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Wrap up Bingo Magico	1	4	Apr 22, 2021 12:04PM
Mortal Instrument...: * City of Fallen Angels	36	330	Apr 01, 2021 06:28AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare - Restarting January 11th 2021	164	132	Mar 14, 2021 01:46PM
Why I don't like Clary Fray	133	1004	Feb 10, 2021 12:46PM
Tsc chronological...: City of Fallen Angels (SPOILERS)	2	10	Dec 27, 2020 01:35AM

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About Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare

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Hello Goodreadsers. Here's my official bio:

"Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilo ...more

Other books in the series

The Mortal Instruments (6 books)

Books by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

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“You're just worried they'll hire a male instructor and he'll be hotter than you."
Jace's eyebrows went up. "Hotter than me?"
"It could happen," Clary said, "You know, theoretically."
"Theoretically the planet could suddenly crack in half, leaving me on one side and you on the other, forever and tragically parted, but I'm not worried about that either. Some things," Jace said, with his customary crooked smile, "are just too unlikely to dwell upon.” — 3133 likes

“You're the first Shadowhunter I've ever met."
“That’s too bad,” said Jace, “since all the others you meet from now on will be a terrible letdown.” — 2729 likes

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