Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, Bk 4)

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, Bk 4)
virago avatar reviewed on + 267 more book reviews


Just Barely 3 Stars. Spoilers Sweetie!

Possible spoilers and LOTS of rambling ahead:
So...to be honest I had no intention of finishing the series because I had read more bad than good reviews about books 4-6. But then I read The Bane Chronicles and some of the Shadowhunter Academy and I just needed closure on Simon's story arc, Alec and Magnus, as well as Luke.
I read this mostly to see what went down with Alec and Magnus. They were pretty much absent from 85% of the book which was irritating, but at least there was a lot of Simon.

I'm beyond pissed that Isabelle thought it was perfectly cool that she was casual with Simon and dating other people, but was so pissed that he was doing the same thing. And to be honest, it had nothing to do with the fact that it was someone she knew. She's so full of herself that she couldn't believe that anyone--especially nerdy Simon--could be interested in someone other than her. I love that Isabelle is hella confident with herself and her body, but she and Jace have that ridiculous arrogance in common. It seems as though this turn of events put her in her place, and maybe she's rethinking her behaviors. I certainly hope so, because I was routing for Simon and Izzy once I realized that Clary and Jace's relationship was inevitable *gag*.

As for Magnus and Alec, his upset over Magnus' past truly shows his lack of age and experience. I've never understood people's morbid curiosity about heir partner's past. The past is the past. It happened before you knew them so what has it got to do with your current relationship?! And Magnus is hundreds of years old, of course he's had many, many paramours, duh! And should he be lonely because his lover died or left him? He told Alec that before him, he had been alone for a very long time, shouldn't that have told him that Magnus didn't just jump from relationship to relationship? Just because your heart aches for one you lost, doesn't mean you can't open your self to someone else. And it certainly doesn't negate the feelings you had for the one you lost just because you move on. I have to say it bothered me, but to me it was very good writing. Alec is young and naive and completely inexperienced with life and love, so it does make sense for him to have this reaction. I think I would have been disappoint in the author if she made him completely cool with his former relationships.

I'm actually not looking forward to what is to come because I've been spoiled and know he basics of what's coming in the next book. But I want to see the whole progression and not just all the good stuff. Here's to hoping the author gifts me with proper angst and not just the wah-wah-Jace-Clary show. I am so over them. Jace is arrogant and a damned martyr; it's ridiculous! And Clary never stops to think about anything except how much she needs Jace. I get it, when you love someone so much nothing else matters, but don't get butt hurt when people call you on your selfishness, because it IS selfishness. Don't get me wrong, I'd burn down worlds for my beloved, I'd just be much more awesome about it. But then, I'm not a 16-year-old girl, so I suppose Clary can be forgiven. But it's still annoying as hell!