City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)

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City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)

Author(s)

Cassandra Clare

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

Genre(s)

Paranormal

Age Range

14+

Release Date

April 05, 2011

ISBN

1442403543

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The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

But nothing comes without a price.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

4th book in The Mortal Instrument Series

April 07, 2011

Overall rating

4.0

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The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And--most important of all--Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side-along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead her to losing everything she loves. Even Jace. - Inside cover City of Fallen Angels

I, like everyone else who is a fan of the series, could not wait until this book came out. I was counting down the days and hoping Cassie Clare would deliver. Boy, did she ever! I was not disappointed, AT ALL.

First things first, now that Clary and Jace can truly be boyfriend/girlfriend, I was more at ease. Obviously their relationship didn't make me feel sick to my stomach anymore (heh heh). They are as close as ever and things are going great for them. Jace is even helping train Clary how to be a Shadowhunter. However, soon Jace starts to pull away from Clary, leaving her wonder what is going on and why he is behaving that way. Does he still love her? Does he still want her?

Remember a few sentences ago how I said "finally Jace and Clary can be together?" Yeah. Of course Cassie Clare has to go and bring some sort of tension between Jace and Clary. *growls* I will say this (I do not want to give away any spoilers), the Jace/Clary scenes of the book gave me goosebumps...goosebumps people!

Simon is feeling lost. His mother found out that he is a vampire and kicked him out of his house. He is 'dating' two girls, who don't know that he is dating the other, and it seems as though someone is out to kill him. He has many choices to make, but does not want to leave this life behind. I really liked Simon in this book. His character seems a bit more sure of himself. He still adores Clary, but is no longer in love with her, which is refreshing. He is trying to figure out who he is and what he has become. I love that Simon is a strong character who is not whiny or annoying.

The new villan is the book is truly terrifying. When I finally got to the part where I learned who the villain was, I shuddered, literally. Ms. Clare is brilliant at bringing nightmares to life. Goodness, I do not know how she does it!

I want to discuss more, but I can't because I don't want to give away any spoilers! If you love the other 3 books in the Mortal Instruments Series, I have no doubt that you will love this one as well. If you haven't picked it up already, go out and get it now. I give it a VERY strong 4.5/5 stars! And now I have to wait another 13 months for City of Lost Souls to come out. Oh the agony!

Jillian Van Leer Top 50 Reviewer 304 reviews

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User reviews

13 reviews

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4 stars

23%

3 stars

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Overall rating

4.2

Plot

3.9(13)

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4.2(12)

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Best book in the series (so far)

June 03, 2015

Overall rating

5.0

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Full review on my blog https://mollyeyablog.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/city-of-fallen-angels-the-mortal-instruments-4-cassandra-clare/

Mollye Top 500 Reviewer 13 reviews

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Second part of a series

August 03, 2013

Overall rating

3.0

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Part of me wished (wishes?) she would've stopped the series of "City of Glass" It was great ending, wrapped everything up. This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't mind=blowing amazing either. Still an entertaining series.

Duks Castro Top 100 Reviewer 82 reviews

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It Just Keeps Going and Going...

September 26, 2012

Overall rating

4.3

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...and going, and that’s a good thing! I’ve always shouted it from the rooftops that Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series is infinitely better than Twilight, and everything Stephanie Meyer was hoping to create. However, I’m not the one who has sold millions of copies of my vampire romance novels and raked in big bucks thanks to five movies so I guess that joke’s on me. Anyway, the entire Mortal Instruments series is routinely consistent with good plot, relatable characters, and a romance I can’t help but be regularly creeped out by slash root for.

The fourth book in particular, "City of Fallen Angels," really shows how brilliant of a writer Cassandra Clare is. She essentially had the chance to end the series as a trilogy. The third book, City of Glass, ended so completely and with all questions answered that she could have gracefully walked away to move on with other projects. Clare had created such a complete world, however, that she could just keep on going with a whole new cast of villains and plot lines to antagonize our favorite Shadowhunters.

This really reminds me of J.R.R. Tolkien or J.K. Rowling in that they created such solid and tangible worlds that they probably could have kept writing adventures based in them for the rest of eternity. They quit while they were ahead, however, and chose when the right time was to bow out. I can honestly say that I hope that time doesn’t come anytime soon for Clare. I’m certain she has more Shadowhunter tricks up her sleeve.

Good Points

Clare is able to keep this world going with a whole new cast of villains after successfully completing the series in the previous book.

Jason Gallaher Top 50 Reviewer 106 reviews

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A huge disappointment

August 13, 2012

Overall rating

1.0

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I tried. I tried so hard to finish this book, but, for the life of me, I just couldn't. While writing this review, I realised something: I've never given a book 1 star before. This is a first, and what a shame it happens to be a book from a series that started off so well.

I enjoyed the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series, and it's a shame Clare didn't stop there. I held on as long as I could, but this book was doing my head in. What happened to the characters I came to know and love from the first three books? These clones in City of Fallen Angels lacked personality. Like Simon's current existence, these characters were living but were not alive. It was almost as if Clare removed their souls and left the empty shells behind.

This book lacked purpose. I can easily through it out and have no regrets because it left no impression on me whatsoever. It hurts me to give any book a 1 star but the fact that it's a book I was looking forward to just left me heartbroken. It was almost as if City Of Fallen Angels was written by someone else. This can't be the same Cassandra Clare who wrote the first three books.

I could go in depth and point out the hurt this book has inflicted upon me, but I won't because of my loyalty to the first three books. I will not be continuing with the series for the mere fact that it has lost its spark and its significance.

Al Stone Top 100 Reviewer 43 reviews

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Delightful

July 02, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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Previously published on my blog: http://fictionfervor.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/review-city-of-fallen-angels-by-cassandra-clare/

I am glad that Cassie Clare decided to extend The Mortal Instruments. You might be asking me why I feel that way. Originally I thought the Mortal Instruments series was an okay series; the idea was original, but not so much the plot. But oh my gosh, City of Fallen Angels surpassed its prequels.

The plot became so much more complex with this new installment in the series. Cassie’s writing style has improved, I think, and the surprises she throws you every which way will throw you off guard, beyond a doubt. You’ll be dying to know who the new villain is (or do you already know the villain?), and finally when you find out, you’re left with that cliffhanger ending that will leave you itching to get your hands on City of Lost Souls, the sequel.

I definitely liked the characters in City of Fallen Angels more too. Clary is no longer that Mary Sue (ugh, I hate those perfect girls); Jace has been teaching her how to be a Shadowhunter, so now she knows how to kick butt! Or, well, sort of. But runes are still her calling, you know. Jace is still, well, Jace. The epitome of a bad boy that stays sweet to those he loves. And Simon! Ah, I used to hate Simon–he was really annoying back in the first few books–but now Simon has cooled his sarcasm (slightly) AND he might be dating two girls. Poor guy, too shy to tell which of them he’s going out with.

And the romance! I love Clary and Jace together; now that they know the truth about their heritage, they don’t have to worry about that pesky problem of incest … And Simon’s relationship with Isabelle and Maia is also really cute (though he’s bound to get in trouble). I’m not on either team, really, though I get the feeling that Simon might end up with Isabelle. Hmm.

There were some new characters too! I’d always liked Camille in the Infernal Devices series (Cassie’s prequel series to The Mortal Instruments), though she scares me sometimes, being a vamp and all. I was pretty cool with Jordan too, though at first his backstory made me hate him.

City of Fallen Angels is a delightful installment of the Mortal Instruments series, full of more twists and turns than can ever be imagined. I applaud you, Cassandra Clare.

Source: Hardcover borrowed from library

Linda Top 500 Reviewer 34 reviews

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The 4th Mortal Instrument

May 06, 2012

Overall rating

4.7

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On the third day of my summer holidays, I read City of Fallen Angels. I think this book wasn't as good as the ones before. I think its partly because Cassandra Clare has started to slowly run out of ideas, and also because the last book was written like it was the ending.

I think that the relationship between Jace and Clary, either has to stop, or they have to stop worrying about things and get together. I think I would go with the first option. Their relationship has slowly gotten worse, all overdramatic and awkward. Clary has always been in love with Jace, but he is always on and off, which is kinda confusing me. They have also gotten to the point of we-want-to-be-together-but-can't. I hate that. Its all weird and I don't really understand why they can;t either end it, or stay together with no problems. I am getting fed up with it.

I feel that the highlights of the book followed Alec, Isabelle and Simon. I thought it was funny with Simon and his two girly-friends. I still love you Alec!!! (I thought he was the best by far)!

I think that this wasn't the best one, but it was okay. If you loved the first three, and you want more, then this is worth reading.

Casog Top 50 Reviewer 260 reviews

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Why Can I Not Stop Reading These?

May 06, 2012

Overall rating

2.7

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Although I was fairly happy with the ending to book three, I am also totally okay with her continuing the series. Book four was, to me, totally consistent with the quality of the series up to this point. This is one of those series I have a love/hate relationship with; sometimes I want to stop reading and sometimes I am completely, shamefully drawn into all of the melodrama.

Most of all, let me say how much I do not care about Clary and Jace. They suffer from the overdramatic, overly mushy, want-to-be-together-but-can't thing that has made so many main couples exceedingly obnoxious. Other prime examples from the fantasy world are Buffy/Angel and Max/Liz (from Roswell). As with both of those television shows, I do really enjoy the supporting cast. Any section of the book that followed Simon, Alec or Isabelle, I was much more likely to appreciate.

Still, I did not like the way she paired everyone off toward the end of the book. Which is not to say the pairings are all doing well, but they are all definitely heading in an obvious direction. That just felt a bit too quick. Everyone was more forgiving than seems particularly likely. Plus, I didn't like that Simon never had to choose between the two girls; the choice was sort of made for him and he just rolled with it. Am I supposed to ship a relationship when he never really seemed to care for one more than the other?

All in all, another calorie-ridden, guilty pleasure. I know the next book will be just as agonizing and annoying as the others, but I also know that I will be reading it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Christina Franke, Staff Top 10 Reviewer 677 reviews

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Stunning

March 28, 2012

Overall rating

4.7

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The 4th book in the Mortal Instruments series, City of Fallen Angels is just brilliant as the last three books. I loved how Cassandra Clare made Simon have two romances, I thought it was super smart to add that, as well as him biting someone. This book went deeper into romances that the gang has like Clary and Jace, Alec and Magnus, Simon and his two girlie friends and how Jordan solved his problems.

I thought it was super smart at the end that Cassandra made Jace go evil, waking up Seb. I cannot wait for the next one, it is just to long of a wait. Come quicker, plz!!!!!

Casog Top 50 Reviewer 260 reviews

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good book

March 25, 2012

Overall rating

4.7

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i can't wait for the next book......i hope it's as good as the rest

Kenny Top 100 Reviewer 48 reviews

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Review From Blkosiner's Book Blog

August 06, 2011

Overall rating

4.5

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Another great installment in the Mortal Instruments series. It drew me right into the world of ShadowHunters and Downworlders and into the lives of some of my favorite characters.
Admittedly, we do get a few hot scenes with Jace and Clary, but as usual, nothing is easy for them. The mark of cain has made life much more difficult for Simon, and so has BOTH of his budding romances.
I'm yearning for happiness and good thing for my characters, so I can't wait for the next ones.