Book Review: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) by Cassandra Clare
Oh, City of Fallen Angels, where do I even begin? Cassandra Clare’s world of shadowhunters and downworlders has captivated me since I picked up the first book in this mythical urban fantasy series. It’s truly ironic that I found myself dissecting my feelings about this book while recovering from an unfortunate accident involving lightsabers—a comical reminder that one should never run while brandishing fictional weapons (let’s just say my edition of City of Fallen Angels was left in a rather… shredded state!).
Now, diving into the narrative, City of Fallen Angels continues the story of our beloved characters like Clary, Jace, and Simon, but I found myself grappling with mixed emotions. Clare still captures vivid and engaging scenes, but this installment felt more like a rehash of earlier themes rather than an escalation of conflicts. Sure, we have Jace and Clary kissing (who could complain about that?), but the energy that the first three books infused into the narrative seemed muted here.
Take part one: the pacing felt oddly stagnant, with pages filled with dialogue that more resembled recaps than fresh developments. Every few chapters, I found my attention slipping as I realized I was not alone in my frustration—Clary and Jace were struggling with their “emo” feelings. The repetitive nature of their conversations about love, losses, and Simon’s awkwardness quickly turned from intriguing drama to seasoned banter that failed to ignite like it did in previous installments.
Now let’s talk about Jace. In the early books, he was the elusive bad boy that made my heart race. But here? He felt more like a prick than the radiant angel he was often painted as. It’s a strange journey when affection devolves into annoyance, and I found myself longing for the spark that had me rooting for him earlier. As I read my way through the pages, I couldn’t shake the feeling that both he and Clary were drowning in a sea of melodrama, and I just couldn’t bring myself to grab my metaphorical life raft.
But not all was dreary! Clare’s knack for moments of humor brought a smile to my face. Even in my discontent, I caught myself laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, like pondering if Jace was part unicorn because of how annoyingly perfect he was supposed to be. And through it all, I appreciated Clare’s world-building and character backgrounds, which continue to be impressive.
Ultimately, while reading City of Fallen Angels felt like revisiting the highlights of a series I once adored, it also felt like walking through a familiar yet stale dream. If you’re a die-hard fan of The Mortal Instruments, this book has enough nostalgia and familiar faces to warrant a read. However, if you’re craving the electrifying escapades that once had you turning pages, you might find this adventure lacking.
In reflecting on this experience, my dialogue with the series has taken a new turn, reminding me that not every chapter in a beloved series can resonate deeply. Still, amidst the disappointments, the creativity behind the world Clare constructed holds an undeniable charm. Perhaps now it’s better to let the saga rest—though I can’t help but wonder what shenanigans I’ll encounter next, possibly while holding my lightsaber less dangerously!
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