Author: Cassandra Clare
Classification: YA Fiction, Paranormal
Source: Bought
Overall Grade:
C+
I thought...
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Summary (from Goodreads):
The Mortal War is over, and 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 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 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.
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.
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My Thoughts:
I really love The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series that Cassie Clare has created, I really do. But this book just missed the mark.
I have a theory that Cassie wrote CoFA as a sort of rough draft and saved the good stuff for Clockwork Prince, the sequel to Clockwork Angel that blew my socks off. Best. Book. Ever.
I know, I know... I'm being pretty brutal here. But I don't know any other way to describe my disappointment with this book.
It certainly wasn't the characters, the world, or the relationships in CoFA that set me off. It was the thing that Cassie is usually the best at: the plot. I simply DO NOT BELIEVE the overall story of this book!
It is too coincidental, too convenient, and really, just too ridiculous. It is clear that the series was meant to end with the third book, City of Glass, and the bad-guys in CoFA were basically resurrected from the dead in order to carry on the story. It's almost insulting as a reader to encounter such a vain attempt at carrying on a series.
My qualms about the plot of this story aside, I must give Cassie props for Simon and Jace. It was incredibly entertaining to watch these guys spend time with each other... especially since they are my two favorite characters in the series. However, I also liked the full cast of characters, from Maya to Magnus Bane! Cassie truly has a talent for keeping a large amount of characters in order and letting them make themselves known throughout the story.
While I was seriously disappointed in the overall direction that was taken in CoFA, I will still continue on with the series. I can't help it really, these books are basically a Class 2 substance.
Seriously, they should be sold by the gram.
My Thoughts:
I really love The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series that Cassie Clare has created, I really do. But this book just missed the mark.
I have a theory that Cassie wrote CoFA as a sort of rough draft and saved the good stuff for Clockwork Prince, the sequel to Clockwork Angel that blew my socks off. Best. Book. Ever.
I know, I know... I'm being pretty brutal here. But I don't know any other way to describe my disappointment with this book.
It certainly wasn't the characters, the world, or the relationships in CoFA that set me off. It was the thing that Cassie is usually the best at: the plot. I simply DO NOT BELIEVE the overall story of this book!
It is too coincidental, too convenient, and really, just too ridiculous. It is clear that the series was meant to end with the third book, City of Glass, and the bad-guys in CoFA were basically resurrected from the dead in order to carry on the story. It's almost insulting as a reader to encounter such a vain attempt at carrying on a series.
My qualms about the plot of this story aside, I must give Cassie props for Simon and Jace. It was incredibly entertaining to watch these guys spend time with each other... especially since they are my two favorite characters in the series. However, I also liked the full cast of characters, from Maya to Magnus Bane! Cassie truly has a talent for keeping a large amount of characters in order and letting them make themselves known throughout the story.
While I was seriously disappointed in the overall direction that was taken in CoFA, I will still continue on with the series. I can't help it really, these books are basically a Class 2 substance.
Seriously, they should be sold by the gram.
Overall Grade:
C+
I thought...
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(Full Disclosure: Any books purchased from Amazon through the links on this page will result in a small commission to me.)
I really liked the way you wrote the review -- it's critical of the writing and plot/character decisions the author made but not of the author herself. Also, I loved the fact that you pointed out what you did like in it. As a book reviewer myself, it's hard to find that balance in a book you had issues with and you showed us how we can.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sophie! It was difficult to write this, since I love this series so much, but I had to be honest about the issues I had with the book.
ReplyDeleteI felt very similarly to you on this one. The plot felt forced and things got a little too angsty for my tastes. I still love Simon and Magnus though. They're probably what's going to have me picking up the next book, despite my not-so-great feelings about CoFA!
ReplyDeleteHi. I found your blog via Goodreads and am now following your RSS. Regards. Nicki
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nickijmarkus.com
Natalie: Definitely... Simon and Magnus are awesome!! Their definitely worth reading the next book for :)
ReplyDeleteNicki: Thanks for visiting and following! :)