City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

reviewed by Lisa B.

Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending. City of Fallen Angels marks the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, a series that was originally planned as a trilogy. Fans of the series wanted it. Publishers were salivating over it. Clare was willing to write it. But was it really necessary to put these two lovebirds through fresh hell?

In this latest entry readers learn of how Simon is adjusting to life as a vampire while still trying desperately to cling to his humanity and the world he’s always known. Meanwhile, something sinister is brewing with Jace, something that threatens his one-of-a-kind love for Clary. And to top it all off, something or someone is killing Shadowhunters in New York. Each new body is found in different Downworlder territory, be it werewolf, fey or vampire. Is someone attempting to break the fragile peace between Downworlders and Shadowhunters? And what, if anything, does all this have to do with Jace’s increasingly violent dreams about harming Clary?

Jace has always been what the cool kids are calling “emo.” And in this book, he manages to crank it up a notch to UBER emo. Instead of discussing his disturbing dreams with Clary, for example, he decides that a better solution would be to distance himself entirely from her—a perfectly healthy choice in a loving relationship, right? There is, however, an intriguing addition to the ensemble cast of characters. Kyle is the newest member of Simon’s band, but it becomes clear that there’s more to him that meets the eye, and he’s not entirely unknown to one of the characters we already know. There is promise in this character, his relationship with someone from his past, and the mission to which he’s committed.

Fangirls (and boys) of the first three books in the series will clamor for this new entry, but those satisfied with the ending of City of Glass should probably stop with that one. This new volume seems more financially motivated than story inspired. And the “I desperately love you, now go away” riff that sets the tone for Jace and Clary’s relationship seems like a complete rehash of what we’ve already read in the first three books. Sometimes too much of a good thing turns the good thing into a bad thing. Quality over quantity is the key. Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending.

Also available in CD audiobook form!