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

May 10, 2011 Rhiannon Ryder rated it really liked it

After savouring it for four whole days (honestly I don't remember the last time I took that long with a book I loved), I finally finished City of Fallen Angels today. It was, and wasn't, what I was expecting, but it was a great Cassandra Clare/Shadowhunter story, so despite some of the things I wasn't totally crazy about, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I won't bother with the blurb. We all know what happens now. (except for any of you silly enough to keep reading this post before reading the book. After savouring it for four whole days (honestly I don't remember the last time I took that long with a book I loved), I finally finished City of Fallen Angels today. It was, and wasn't, what I was expecting, but it was a great Cassandra Clare/Shadowhunter story, so despite some of the things I wasn't totally crazy about, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I won't bother with the blurb. We all know what happens now. (except for any of you silly enough to keep reading this post before reading the book. Last chance before I blow some of the surprise. Get out while you can!). I have to say, the biggest surprise to me was what a mixed bag of character perspectives, the story was . Since it was originally a Simon-centric story I thought it would follow him more heavily then it actually did. Although he has a very big part of the story line, I almost wish you didn't get Clary's perspective in this book, if for no other reason then to mix it up a bit.

That being said I really enjoyed how she delved right into his complicated existence as a Daylighter, not to mention the carrier of the Mark of Cain. And of course his girlfriend issues are pretty amusing too. Simon is one of those slightly overlooked characters from the first three books, so I'm glad we finally get to see a bit more of him.

At the risk of encuring the wrath of the Jace/Clary die hards (come on, you know who you are..dirty sexy alley scene. That's all I'm saying), I was a bit disappointed to see Clary and Jace continue their star crossed lovers story. Which is not to say I thought they would live happily ever after, just that I thought the drama might not be centred around them and their relationship. Their back and forth- we love each other endlessly but are constantly being held apart by circumstance in a Romeo and Juliet way, is just the ittiest, bittiest tired. I mean it did go on for three previous books. And tortured Jace is straight out of City of Ashes and City of Glass, why don't we torture someone else?

Of course I did love the symmetry of the whole life for a life story, so I'm not sure she could really do it differently and keep that, but it might have been nice if it came out more from left field, instead of the tortured build up. I shouldn't even have to tell you how much I love Sebastian coming back, or the deadly awesome cliff hanger ending.

I was relieved to see Cassandra kept her quippy dialogue, and style, I fell in love with to begin with. I repeatedly laughed out loud, even late at night while in bed reading.

"You and your name-dropping," he said "'I knew Michael.' 'I knew Sammael.' 'The Angel Gabriel did my hair.' It's like I'm with the Band with biblical figures."
"No?" She looked at him incredulously. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't chop him into worthless-bastard-themed confetti."
And the best Acknowledgement I've read to date- And lastly, my thanks to Linus and Lucy, my cats, who only threw up on my manuscript once. Oh Cassie, you made me laugh right up until the very last sentence! (seriously though, cats throw up on everything! Especially if it's important)

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Jun 18, 2010 Reeva rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

Spoilers!!!-------

I love this series. Clary and Jace's relationship is one of my favorites. I love the passion and the undying love they have for each other. What I can't stand about this book is the seperation that always effects their relationship. It's always somthing. I'm sick of playing the "ring around the rosy" game with them. I'm glad Cassandra decided to make another book because I love readng her novels, but I'm tired of bad things always happening to Jace. I did not like the end of th Spoilers!!!-------

I love this series. Clary and Jace's relationship is one of my favorites. I love the passion and the undying love they have for each other. What I can't stand about this book is the seperation that always effects their relationship. It's always somthing. I'm sick of playing the "ring around the rosy" game with them. I'm glad Cassandra decided to make another book because I love readng her novels, but I'm tired of bad things always happening to Jace. I did not like the end of this book. And it kind of made me wish she would have stopped at the third novel. When is Cassandra ever gonna let Jace be happy?

Clare is one of my favorite heroines. She doesn't take crap from Jace. She understands him, but she confronts him when most girls would high-tail and run. She's funny and completely my kind of girl.

I like Simon way better in this novel. Mostly because he isn't in love with Clary anymore. I just didn't like him getting in the way of her and Jace. He was a lot more independent in this book. Of course, I'm in love with Jace. Who wouldn't be? He's the kind of guy every girl wants. Sexy, smart, witty and knows it.

I liked how Cassandra brought Lilith into the book. She has always been one of my favorite Demons. She died rather quickly, but She shouldn't have been so careless. It was just the kind of twist one would expect from Cassandra. I wasn't dissapointed with this novel. Cassandra is an amazing author, but I just want Jace to be happy and that never seems to happen.
I was really glad that Camille was not responsible for all the mess because I always liked her. I was very intrigued that Cassandra mentioned Will. It made the history more real and The Clockwork Angel series seem real. Like it really was part of the history. All very attention grabbing.
I hated the end. I'm sick of Jace always being the victum. I love reading about Jace and Clary, but I hope in the next book that Jace can really be with Clary.
Love the series. Most amazing writing and story, but (I can't believe I'm saying this) I hope it ends with "and they lived happily ever after" soon. If not, I will have to reconsider whether I like Cassandra Clare as an author. ...more

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Feb 17, 2010 CeJayCe rated it it was amazing

Some people say that the series should've stopped at the third book. Well, if you ask me, Cassandra Clare can keep doing what she's doing for as long as she wants to do it. This book wasn't just a mindless filler common to series that have past their prime. It was every bit as exciting, intriguing, and suspenseful as the the three books (and the prequel) that came before it. So go forward, Clare!

Surprisingly enough, I didn't mind at all that this was, technically, from Simon's point of view. The ...more

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Nov 08, 2010 Amy Halbern rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult

I absolutley loved this book!! Cassandra Clare took us all on a crazy, fun emotional rollercoaster ride! She also took the characters on the same ride! It was great to see all of the characters evolve and grow up from the start in City of Bones. I love the new characters that are introduced. I also love the back stories for some of the characters!! Oh but the ending Wow!! Major Cliffhanger!! One Final thought would be Cassandra Clare didn't dissapoint with Jace and Clary's relationship. I felt t ...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Danny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: april-2011

Brilliant as usual...

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Mar 29, 2010 Melyssa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own-it, favorites, ya, would-read-again, pn

As evident by the 5 stars... I thought it was amazing. Although the plot didn't really move anywhere, the story more than enough to sate my need for more Clary, Jace, Izzy, Simon, Alec and ALL THE OTHER FREAKING AWESOME CHARACTERS. :) This series has truly enchanted me and I can't wait for the next one. ...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Jia rated it it was amazing

i'm
speechless!
I LOVE THIS SERIES I HAVE WAITED FOREVER FOR THII BOOOK IM SOOOOOOO EXITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...more

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