Book Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments was originally a trilogy, but now it spans over several books and spinoffs. City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the main series. So has it added to or tainted the original trilogy?

For those who have never heard of it (shame on you!)... Basically, the story is about a group of demon hunters or Shadowhunters, as Clare calls them. In her books, there is an entire world right under our noses that human eyes cannot see. A world filled with angels, fairies, demons, vampires, werewolves and other mystical beings. It is the Shadowhunters' job to keep the balance and police all of them as well as keep humanity in the dark about their existence. Shadowhunters, in their turn, are humans chosen and blessed by an angel to protect humanity. The only problem, in the first three books, was that Clary Fray (the main character) didn’t know she was one. She also didn’t know who her father really was and that created a whole lot of issues that threatened not only her feelings for Jace, another Shadowhunter, but also their lives.

BOOK SPECS:

Number of Pages: 424

Format: Hardcover

Genre: YA Romantasy, Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Angels, Best Ever, Fairies, Friends to Lovers, Good vs. Evil, Hidden Truth, Vampires, Werewolves, Magic, Demons

SHORT REVIEW:

As you might have guessed, I am a big fan of this trilogy turned saga. There is obviously a lot of research and work gone into these books. And the thing that fascinates me the most about them it's how Clare treads a very thin line in between many different religions, incorporating a series of different principals and beliefs from each one, without being offensive or supporting any of them in particular. That is a very hard balance to achieve.

It also includes a whole array of mystical creatures - vampires, werewolves, fairies, demons, angels, demi-gods and so on. So if you love fantasy, you'll love these novels. The saga is now so popular, it has been made into a movie - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - as well as a TV series on Netflix - Shadowhunters.

HEART SCORE:

SMUT SCORE:

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FULL REVIEW:

With three books preceding City of Fallen Angels, it's hard to talk about it without giving the first three books away. So here is what I can say: 

Plot

There is fantasy and there fantasy that sounds plausible. Clare's plot is so watertight, I cannot fault it. She has an explanation for everything, giving you the feeling that whatever she is telling you is actually possible and not a fantasy. The woman will tell you there are cats raining from the sky, then explain how and why, and you will think it is absolutely plausible. I'm convinced she could sell ice to Eskimos.

Characters

City of Fallen Angels brings forth a whole new group of characters, and a whole new romance emerges as well as old ones developing (yes, this was for the benefit of my fellow romance lovers). The series is no longer just about Clary and Jace. There are another three major romances brewing and two more floating on the background. It was also very interesting to see and learn more about some of the original characters in the saga.

Romance & Smut Score

True to form, there is plenty of emotional drama, mystery, butt kicking, politics, demon slaying, and hot snogging going on (for my American followers, British snogging is the American equivalent of making out), but no detailed smut as this is an YA novel.

Writing

I have to admit that at the beginning I thought I wasn't going to like it. When something is obnoxiously good sometimes an extension just ruins it. However, as the plot developed, I was so engrossed in the story that towards the end I was really mad. How stupid were they? The only person that was actually at risk got left behind with the bad guy, who wasn't alive nor dead (enough)! I wanted to slap someone. I even contemplated throwing the book on the floor; then remembered it's a signed copy and thought better not. What on earth were they thinking? Seriously! I'm sure you get the gist. It all became a little personal [shakes head in shame]. But this is what I love in books - when it feels like it's happening to me.

My verdict? It made the series better.

OUT OF CURIOSITY:

Cassandra Clare's real name is Judith Lewis (née Rumelt). She is American but was born in Tehran, Iran.

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