This posted first published January 14, 2012.
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: April 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Publishing
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4
314 pages (eBook)
It’s been a bit difficult finding reading time with the start of yet
another semester (my last one!) so it took me a lot longer than it
normally would have to complete this book. And it’s been a super long
time since I read any of the Mortal Instrument books. I remember all the
characters but couldn’t really remember the plot details. It all kind
of came back to me as I read this fourth book though — which, by the
way, I was a little surprised about because I thought the series ended
with three?? But I guess not. Last I heard, there’s also a book five and
six planned as well.
In City of Fallen Angels, Simon is adjusting to his life as a
new vampire. Things get a bit rough when his mother sort of finds out
and Simon decides to move out to protect her. Which turns out to be sort
of a good thing, I suppose, since someone keeps sending people to try
to capture or harm Simon, presumbly for his powers as a Daylighter, a
vampire who can walk in the sunlight. Of course, nothing can harm him
with the Mark of Cain on him.
At the same time, Shadowhunters are dying in Downworlder territory,
causing a bit of strife between the two groups. At first everyone thinks
it’s the leader of the vampires, Camille, but it soon becomes clear
there is a greater force at work, with an ulterior motive.
Oh, and there’s also the Jace-Clary part of the story, which was my
least favourite part so I’m going to kind of just glaze over it. Jace
starts receiving dreams about harming Clary, and believes he might
actually harm her. There was a lot of proclamations of undying love,
angst and inner turmoil between the two — essentially, their
relationship hasn’t really progressed since the last three books. I was
hoping for it to mature, but it just can’t seem to get past this “I love
you but I shouldn’t” kind of depressing thing. It’s also a bit hard to
take their love seriously because this sort of obsessive love is what
teenagers experience in “puppy love”, the kind of thing you think is
cute but probably won’t last forever.
Anyway, this book felt very much like a “set-up” book — it’s setting
up for a second major plot in the series. I’m not sure how I really feel
about the continuation of the series; I thought book three ended off
pretty well and tied things together neatly. All the same though, I do
enjoy the series and the different direction it is headed in now does
intrigue me and want me to continue reading. I will be the first to
admit this wasn’t really a necessary sequel, but I guess I’m just a fan
of the world Clare has created in her books and want to keep immersing
myself in it.
I really like Simon (I can’t remember if I liked or disliked him in
the previous books, but I think I was generally favorable towards him).
He’s sort of the main character in this book (well, a central character
anyway) and I think he does develop more as a character. He’s got a
whole different life now — and I’m not only talking about being a super
vampire that makes other vampires jealous, but also the fact he has two
girls interested him! From being friend-zoned by Clary to having to rip
girls off his back, Simon manages to feel like a refreshing new
character while still retaining his personality, his thoughts and
familiar self. He’s also got some angst going on now, with being a
vampire and all — angst seems to be a central theme in this series — but
I think Simon is a fabulous character and I’m really glad this book
focuses more on him and that he has more of a role in the story now.
Overall, I quite liked the book. I was by no means obsessively
reading it, but it certainly entertained me during my long commutes to
and from campus. If you already enjoy the series, then I’m sure you’ll
like this one too. If you haven’t read this series before, I find it is a
bit of hit-or-miss amongst readers (at least, the ones I know), so I
suggest just going with your gut feeling.
My Rating: 3/5
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