Melanie (MELNELYNN) reviewed on 11/24/2012 + 669 more book reviews

I have mixed feelings towards this book. I don't know where to start.

This was more fast-paced than the previous books. At least at this point, my impatience did not kick in. Hooray!

And Clare's words? *sigh* perfectly sweet, bittersweet, hilarious, tear-jerking and fascinating in whichever intended.

The emotions filling in were swimming graciously throughout and the whole story was solidly written, in a way that doesn't make me shake my head puzzled. Despite shifting from different angles, it held together strikingly. Speaking of shifting angles, I loved having to envision scenes of each character from different points of view, may it be Simon, Clary or Jace or whoever, it was interesting.

Now moving to characters, let me start by saying that there are rather a lot of very interesting twists in their lives. I love that they grew so much through each book, especially this one. Well, most of them at least. I like Clary's stubbornness this time; I guess it's growing on me now. Ha! Ha! Simon is deepening his mark on me as well. Isabelle, I've always loved Isabelle, is showing a rather vulnerable side of her that she hasn't shown before. Alec and Magnus? Even more interesting. LOL! Then there's the blast of new characters, Jordan, Lilith, Camille, that just makes this series ever more exciting. And we now move to Jace, my happiness and satisfaction just then goes POOF!

It leaves me uttering one word to Clare. WHY?! WHY, CLARE? WHY???!!!!
What did Jace ever do to you that gives you the urge to make him suffer? I mean, hasn't he been through enough? Heartbreak? Pain? Death? Please! Give the guy a break!

I thought that at this point, someone else from the set of characters was taking the lead on this book. Simon, specifically. But no! there's that stealthy, steady pull towards Jace's life and by the ending Clare just made it harder for me to bear.

I would've adored this book, but I don't like it when endings leave me hanging dreadfully in way that I seemed required to read the next book just to satisfy myself.

City of Fallen Angels was a fun experience, but obviously, if the Mortal Instruments was a TV show, it just opened up its second season with this book. It would've been fine to keep adding up a new tale to the lives of the characters, but if it keeps on focusing on particularly making one person suffer repeatedly, it won't be as interesting as the first.

Then again, I've always been an optimist so I will push my apprehension aside, despite how heartbroken I feel right now *sob! whispering Jace's name over and over again*, and say that I'm eager to read the next book and Clare will do me justice this time around. I hope...

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details