BOOK REVIEW: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare



Clary is back in New York and life is good: she's training to be a Shadowhunter and is finally able to call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. When Jace inexplicably begins to pull away from her, Clary is forced to acknowledge that she herself has set in motion a chain of events that could lead to the losss of everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.
The stakes are higher than ever... 

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth instalment in the phenomenal Mortal Instruments series, written by Cassandra Clare. I have been a huge fan of this series ever since I read City of Bones and I could not wait to get started with City of Fallen Angels. Cassandra Clare's writing is absolutely brilliant. Her books draw you in instantaneously and keep you turning page after page after page - its impossible to put her books down! Although The Mortal Instruments series is written from the third person narrator, you still feel really connected to all the characters and know exactly how they're all feeling. The plot that Cassandra Clare has woven is so detailed and intricate that the plot often shifts from one person's story to another. This means that you can see what each and every character has been up even when they're not together. With scenes jumping from place to place, you would think that the book was always jumping around and moving back and forth; however, Cassandra Clare writes in such a seamless manner that you don't notice this. 

It has been a very long time since I read the first three books in this series and I did have to refresh my memory several times whilst reading City of Fallen Angels, which is why I'd say that this isn't really a stand-alone book. In order to fully enjoy and understand all the references and character relationships, I think it is essential for the reader to have read the previous three books. All the characters in City of Fallen Angels have developed and changed a lot since their debut in City of Bones and in order to understand the characters in City of Fallen Angels, you need know why they are who they are and what events shaped their personalities. The reason the first three books are so important to this series is because the complicated plot twists that were unravelled in them need to be understood by the reader. I think that the first three novels work very well together as a collection and City of Fallen Angels is sort of like a new part to the story that kicks off after the events in the first three books have been resolves. (This would be because the series was supposed to end with City of Glass). At least, this is what it appears to be for the majority of the novel. Towards the end, there is (of course) a dramatic plot twist, bringing back things from the past in ways you would never expect and you realise that the action from the first three novels isn't over. 

City of Fallen Angels is certainly a fast paced novel that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Many characters are sort of transitioning from their old selves to their new selves and there are also a couple of new characters introduced. The plot line is constantly moving, and definitely keeps you on your toes. The action is just non stop - just when you think it's all over, something else happens to kickstart it all over again and this is why I love Cassandra Clare's books so much. There is never a dull moment in this series, there are no empty or undeveloped characters, they are all incredibly complex and their life stories weave in and out of each others in such a fascinating manner.

Clary and Jace have always had a complicated relationship and I'm sorry to say that things do not go smoothly for them in City of Fallen Angels. This pair are definitely the central characters to the novel; however, this novel is not solely orientated around their romance. There is also a lot of family drama, friend drama and demon drama which brings so much action to the novel. I would say that this book is a lot more tight knit than the previous three. I think the focus is narrowed down to a few, very important characters who are all deeply involved in the plot line, whereas in previous books there has often been different people doing different things but in City of Fallen Angels, all the characters have some business with all the other characters.

This is a must read for anyone who loves anything to do with the paranormal/fantasy genre will love this young adult book and I cannot recommend it enough. It is full of romance, suspense, drama and action and I guarantee that you will not be able to put this book down! In addition, the film of City of Bones is set to be released in 2013, so get ahead of the game and read the series now.

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5 comments:

  1. I have avoided this series but now i have to read them...sad! :( Have you read the series by her about shadowhunters that is a prequel to the Mortal Instruments series? The series is called Infernal Devices and the first book is Clockwork Angel.

    www.amysbooketlist.blogspot.com

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  2. Why are you sad about having to read the Mortal Instruments series? It's so good! Yes, I've heaard Infernal Devices and that too is also on my list of things to read this summer! Cassandra Clare is also set to write a third series wahoo :)

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  3. you will love the Infernal Devices Series!!!

    www.amysbooketlist.blogspot.com

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  4. The Mortal INstruments and The Infernal Devices are terrific series!

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  5. Great review! I LOVE TMI and TID! They're my favorite series! :)

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