City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) in Q&A with Cassandra Clare

Aug 29, 2010 Amma rated it it was ok

Shelves: urban-fantasy, a-very-2010s-romance, angels-and-demons, eager-active-fandoms

Update Review, July 2, 2011

Short review (after pre-read one): This book could have been good. It really could have. If Clare had 1) keep the cast real, 3-D, 2) wrote more action and actually presented the parts that moved the plot forward instead of them happening off-page, 3) spent less time on failed/failing relationships and more on interesting plot, 4) had an interesting plot, 5) quit pulling plot devices and characters out of her ***, 6) edited!?!?!?, I might have liked it.

But she didn't d ...more

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Feb 21, 2010 Laurie(Time Stand Still) rated it it was amazing

Even reading for the fifth time and the story is all consuming. Now on to the next book before book 6 comes out. 5/3/14
How could I give any of Ms. Clare's books anything but 5 stars. I could go outside the rules and give a six or ten but that would defeat the basis of the concept. Speaking of concepts Ms Clare has stepped up the pace. There were so many things in this story I just didn't see coming and can I say thank you. Being book four I am even more connected and invested in these characters ...more

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Feb 18, 2010 Megan (magan bagan) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal

In this fourth installment of the Mortal Instruments series, we get a lot more background and insight to our beloved characters while following them on an even more dangerous journey. Cassandra Clare's world of Shadowhunters and Downworlder's is in for a bumpy ride.

We first follow Simon, who not only is a vampire that can walk in the daylight, but also can't be harmed by anyone. He finds himself dating two different girls and being pursued by other vampires and downworlders alike. But all he wan In this fourth installment of the Mortal Instruments series, we get a lot more background and insight to our beloved characters while following them on an even more dangerous journey. Cassandra Clare's world of Shadowhunters and Downworlder's is in for a bumpy ride.

We first follow Simon, who not only is a vampire that can walk in the daylight, but also can't be harmed by anyone. He finds himself dating two different girls and being pursued by other vampires and downworlders alike. But all he wants is to have a normal life.

Clary begins her training to become a shadowhunter and helps her mom with her wedding to Luke. The only strange thing is that Jace pulls away from her and she doesn't know why. He battles his own inner demons while struggling with his love for Clary.

CoFA wasn't as action packed as the previous books in the series, but that didn't make it any less enthralling. Especially since we got to learn more about Simon and the struggles he has to deal with. I loved him as a secondary character in the beginning of the series, but Cassandra made him an even more likable character now. He has to face a new world as a vampire and figure out how to balance it.

And Jace and Clary, though they love each other, aren't out of the woods either. I've always loved his snarky attitude and quick comebacks, but we get to see a different side of him this time around. Sure he's still cocky when it comes to dealing with demons and the shadow world, but he's also more vulnerable this time around as he battles with his fears. Clary's confidence with facing demons and her power are also great to see.

We also get introduced to some new characters and a few that we met in Clockwork Angel, Cassandra's prequel series to The Mortal Instruments. So much takes place and yet there's even more that's still left to come. And one thing that you can be sure of is that there's never a shortage of twists and turns. The cliffhanger Cassandra ends this book with is brutal and has definitely ensured that I will be coming back for the remaining books in The Mortal Instruments series. ...more

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Jul 09, 2010 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011

*Spoilers for the first three Mortal Instruments are possible!*
Y'all have no idea how excited I was for this book to come out. I LOVE Mortal Instruments and most of that love comes because of my love for Jace. I love his snark and attitude and the way he interacts with the other characters. He is definitely one of my favorite all time characters. Love him. That being said - City of Fallen Angels is told mostly from Simon's point of view. Needless to say - when I started the book I was not very *Spoilers for the first three Mortal Instruments are possible!*
Y'all have no idea how excited I was for this book to come out. I LOVE Mortal Instruments and most of that love comes because of my love for Jace. I love his snark and attitude and the way he interacts with the other characters. He is definitely one of my favorite all time characters. Love him. That being said - City of Fallen Angels is told mostly from Simon's point of view. Needless to say - when I started the book I was not very happy. But I should've known Cassandra Clare would still bring the amazingness. And amazing it was. I loved this book of the series as much as I loved the previous books. Clare's writing is flawless and her characters are so well written and developed - the reader feels like they know them and want to be friends with them and live in the story with them.

In any story, there's gotta be some drama and Clare knows how to bring the drama and leave the reader wanting more. Clary is now training to be a Shadowhunter and Jace is helping. But her mom is not too happy with the idea of Clary seeing Jace - he could be too much like his father, Valentine, and could end up hurting Clary. On top of that, Jace is being distant - weird distant. He says he loves Clary but then stays away from her for days at a time. Poor girl can't catch a break - first Jace is her brother and now he is avoiding her!

Most of the book is from Simon's point of view which I must admit, I ended up loving. Simon was really developed as a character in this book. He wasn't just the best friend trying to steal the girl anymore. He was a guy trying to find his way through the new world that he got mixed up in. From being turned into a vampire to the mark of Cain - Simon's life has been flipped upside down and the boy is doing a great job of dealing.

Clare introduces us to some new characters in City of Fallen Angels - Kyle to be specific. Oh, I loved Kyle. His relationship with Simon and then Jace was awesome. I can not wait to see more of him in the upcoming books. I also love Simon and Jace's start of a new found friendship! Y'all - they play off each other perfectly! I was love the scenes with Jace and Simon more than the scenes with Jace and Clary (I know right!). Except for maybe the dirty sexy alley scene. Hello! That was the most swoon-worthy scene in any book I've read in a long time.

Clare is amazing at cliff hangers and she doesn't disappoint with City of Fallen Angels. I know a lot of people were pissed about the ending but I loved it. I definitely was more upset over the whole "they are related" cliffhanger. This one just felt right. It was an awesome end to the book and I can't wait to see where it goes with City of Lost Souls.

I could gush on and on forever about how much I loved this book but I really think you just need to go and read it yourself. Like, now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. ...more

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Jul 10, 2010 Parker rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 11, 2010 Dedria rated it really liked it

If you are a fan of Cassandra Clare let me tell you that she did not disappoint with this installment of the Mortal Instruments. Although I found it hard to get back into the swing of thing I immediately fell back in love with the characters that Ms. Clare has created

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