City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Aug 06, 2010 Sharon rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy-paranormal, vamps, shifters-weres, demons

3.5 stars

The 1st half of the book was a bit boring, and a little too "high-schooly" for my taste. But half way through, it stepped up and became a sick and twisted addition to the MI series! Jace, as always, is very noteworthy! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 18, 2010 Mandy Reads Indie rated it it was amazing

WOW!!! what a cliff hanger. that is all I will say

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2010 Inga rated it really liked it

I am a big fan of Cassandra Clare's books and City of Fallen Angels only increased the love towards the writer! I loved couple of new characters who were brought in to this book and also development of already known characters.

I enjoyed the first three books of the series tremendously and I did not have to be disappointed with the fourth book.

The book starts from the time City of Glass ended – Valentine was destroyed, Jace got a new beginning and Simon got the Mark. With Valentine dead and gone I am a big fan of Cassandra Clare's books and City of Fallen Angels only increased the love towards the writer! I loved couple of new characters who were brought in to this book and also development of already known characters.

I enjoyed the first three books of the series tremendously and I did not have to be disappointed with the fourth book.

The book starts from the time City of Glass ended – Valentine was destroyed, Jace got a new beginning and Simon got the Mark. With Valentine dead and gone, everything should be nice and calm in the world of Shadowhunters, but sudden deaths of Shadowhunters is starting to threaten the Law and the Clave and the peace between Shadowhunters and Downworlders.

This book presented mostly Simon’s point of view. In the beginning it was little weird for me, because previous books have been presented mostly from Clary’s side. It took me little time to get used to it, but just couple of chapters later, it was already captivating.

Fact, that Simon was having relationship both with Isabelle and Maia was funny to read, especially the discussion Simon had with Clary about it. In my opinion Simon and Isabelle would be good together, but let’s see if that would happen in next book.

I was so glad to read that Simon and Jace became closer to becoming friends. I liked that turn a lot, because these two characters have much more in common than just Clary. I got several good laughs when these two were teasing each other and Jordan. These were my favorite parts of the book. As said, I grew on Simon a lot and one of the reasons for that was that he and Jace could come in terms with each other.

Kyle/Jordan was a nice surprise for me. I think it brought a good twist and little spice into the plot. His connection to Maia was unexpected to me. I am hoping to see more of Jordan in the coming books. His character was interesting, little conflicted and I liked that.

Another new character which I found interesting was Camille. I guess the reason for that is, that I have always had a heart for naughty ancient vampires. I would have loved to read more about what actually went on between her and Magnus.

What I definitely missed in this book was more of Alec and Magnus. Towards the end of the book I felt sorry for Magnus when Alec started questioning Magnus about his love affairs from the past. It was visible for me that Magnus loves Alec. Alec’s jealousy was cute, but it also held a lot of pain due to Magnus being almost immortal and him being Shadowhunter who has limited amount of years to live. I wonder how the author will solve that problem.

Last but not least relationship between Clary and Jace was complicated. Their relationship in this book was not my favorite. In a way it was kept in the background by the author. Other characters seemed to have much more dedicated and well wrote pages than these two together. Maybe it just seemed so and maybe it is because I really hoped that Clary and Jace would finally be together forever and ever. I understood what Jace went through, but I had difficulties with him giving up so easily on hope for Clary and himself. Then again, I absolutely loved the ending of the book! It was nothing I honestly expected. After the end of the book I also understood the author better why she had to write Jace being so tormented.

4 stars out of 5.

...more

Like · see review

Nov 01, 2010 Megan rated it really liked it

I have been putting off my review of CoFA because how do you write a review that is good enough for a book so involved?! But it has to be done so I hope I can do it justice. City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments Series and the first book in the second series within the Mortal Instruments Series. In CoFA, we mainly follow Simon as he continues to become accustomed to life as a vampire. We see him trying to continue living with his mother, dating both Isabelle and Maia I have been putting off my review of CoFA because how do you write a review that is good enough for a book so involved?! But it has to be done so I hope I can do it justice. City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments Series and the first book in the second series within the Mortal Instruments Series. In CoFA, we mainly follow Simon as he continues to become accustomed to life as a vampire. We see him trying to continue living with his mother, dating both Isabelle and Maia and Simon gets his first real taste of downworlder politics. It's not all about Simon though as we meet two new characters and get to see more from the other members of Millennium Lint (or whatever their band is called this week).

Simon isn't the only one with issues in CoFA. Something is going on with Jace that makes him distance himself from Clary to shadow Simon- which is both fun and weird. Jace and Simon hanging out together is odd. But really fun to watch as well. Of course, Clary doesn't handle Jace's behavior well. He pulls away and she chases him. You know, typical Cassandra Clare stuff! There are a lot of revelations in this one and the non stop action will have you reeling. I loved the moment near the end when Magnus and Alec are called home from their trip. Magnus puts a certain creeper from his past in her place and even though Alec is feeling all kinds of inadequate, the feelings that Magnus puts out there really grab you. He loves Alec and while he doesn't remember/understand how it feels for Alec to be so young and to know that Magnus will outlive him and possibly love others, you really get the feeling that this time around if different for Magnus. He loves Alec and is thankful for whatever time they have together. If anything, his love for Alec brings home to Magnus just how tired of this whole living forever thing he is! Love those two. The ending will completely blow your mind, in typical Cassandra Clare fashion. While we learned a lot about the different characters, their past actions and their current situations in CoFA, when all is said and done, we're left with more questions than answers and now we're all chomping at the bit for City of Lost Souls.

I really hope you give this book a try if you haven't already. I will warn you that there are a few disturbing scenes (for moms and some sensitive readers). There are some sexual shenanigans and of course some shadowhunter fight scenes. I would suggest this one for older teens and above- just to be safe. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 16, 2011 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it really liked it

I am sad that I couldn't give this book a higher rating. I love the series. But for some reason this book was slow. The plot did not grab me as much as the other books have.

I did enjoy the characters. But I felt like the characters were going through the same thing like in the other books just another villain. I wish I could say I enjoyed it more but it did not get good till the end. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2010 Mandy rated it it was amazing

Wow! This was an amazing book!! I think best of the Mortal Instruments series thus far. Cassie Clare I applaud you!!!! This book is so sick and twisted along with sweet and romantic with lots of action. I loved it!!!!! Can't wait for the next one!!!! ...more

1 like · Like · see review