City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Published: April 2011

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry

Pages: 474

Copy Provided by: Simon and Shuster Canada

Summary: Goodreads

Summary: 

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.
 
Review:
 
I had waited for this title for so long and was lucky enough to get a copy from Simon and Shuster Canada (THANK YOU!!).  It was such a nice surprise to receive it in the mail.  Unfortunately, life happens and I got busy and wasn't able to dedicate enough time to finish reading it until now.

I absolutely adored the first 3 books in the Mortal Instruments series.  In fact, it is one of my favourite series and when it was announced Clare was writing more books + the trilogy prequel, I couldn't have been happier.  Meeting Cassandra and Holly at a book signing earlier this year was also a bonus.  These two writers feed off each other with their energy and their enthusiasm for writing.

In classic Cassie Clare style, COFA delivered wit, intrigue, and had all the elements I was looking for in a great series.  The problem is, topping the first three books was nearly impossible and I think my expectations have been so high coming into this one.  Don't get me wrong, COFA still has all of the elements I was looking for, it just didn't seem to be as fast-moving as the first 3 books.  I am anticipating that City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire will pick up the momentum and carry the storyline to be just as incredible as the first three.

**May contain some spoilers**

COFA opened up a different side of our favourite characters which is something I enjoyed.  Simon became a bit of a player as his new vampire status attracted the affection of two leading ladies.  (For some reason when I picture Simon, I always see him as being friends with Xander from Buffy...anyone else see this?) It was good to see his character develop.  We also got to see more background on Isabelle.  Izzy has seemed so cold in the past but COFA gave her more depth and sensitivity.  Of course Jace and Clary's relationship also developed.  Jace still continues to be my #1 character (sorry Will).  I just LOVE how conceited and sarcastic he can be and then when it comes to his feelings for Clary he just melts down and shows his vulnerability...speaking of which, guess what came out earlier this week? 

In some copies of COFA was a letter to Clary from Jace.  You can no longer buy the actual letter but you can read it on Cassandra Clare's blog. Sigh...like I need another book boyfriend....
 
I always find it hard to review titles that are so involved in a series without giving spoilers.  If you haven't read the Mortal Instruments series, you are really missing out.  No seriously.  I am a huge supporter of the Vampire Academy.  I'm sure you have heard me rant about how everyone needs to read the series.  This is another series that you just should not miss out on.  Actually, it should come BEFORE you read Vampire Academy, it is THAT fabulous.  Need some convincing?  Let's check out some of my favourite quotes from the book -

pg. 120
"I can see why you like it here...There's a thin layer of nerd all over everything."
- Simon

Pg. 133
"You can't have two fathers."
"Sure you can," Simon said.  "Who says you can't?  We can buy you one fo those books they have for little kids.  Timmy Has Two DadsI.  Except I don't think they have one called Timmy Has Two Dads and One of Them Was Evil.  That part you're going to have to work through on your own."

Pg. 141
"I think I'm better than everyone else.  An opinion that has been backed up with ample evidence."
- Jace

Pg. 152
"A flock of birds rose, cawing, from the nearby trees.  Simon remembered a rhyme his mother used to recite to him, about magpies.  You were supposed to count them and say: one for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, four for a birth, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret that's never been told."
 (I love this quote...)

Page 162
"Love is a contradiction"
- Jace

pg. 317
"Dudes," he said (Jordan), "do not follow other dudes to the bathroom."Isabelle sighed.  "Latent homosexual panic will do you in every time."

Pg 385
"You love each other - anyone can see that, looking at you - that kind of love that can burn down the world or raise it up in glory."
- Lilith to Jace