City of Fallen Angels, Book Four of Mortal Instruments, by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels
Book Four of  Mortal Instruments
Written by Cassandra Clare

“L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle.
"It means that love is the most powerful force in the world. That love can do anything.” -- Jace, City of Fallen Angels, Book Four of Mortal Instruments, written by Cassandra Clare.

Well, I had to get this one on audio because it wasn't immediately available in book form and I just could not wait that long to read it. If you haven't read the other Mortal Instruments books, stop here and go back to the first review of the first book or you're going to have some major spoilers.

Well, I knew that after all that happened with Valentine, and his death, things wouldn't be that easy for Clary and Jace who suddenly were free to date since they now knew they weren't siblings. This romance has been such a roller coaster that I had no doubts that although, on the outside, everything seemed better--villains dead, downworlders and the Clave working together, etc.--Jace and Clary's romance had been too fraught with obstacles to suddenly be picture perfect. I, along with all the other avid readers, had been rooting for Jace and Clary to figure out a way to be together despite the seemingly insurmountable issues that they faced, even though their romance seemed pretty jacked up.

So, no surprise, Jace and Clary are going to have to get through some major twists and turns again in this portion of the story. And since there are two more books to come, it may be awhile before we get to see them enjoy some drama free existence; after all, that is part of the charm of the series. I will tell you that Simon plays a pretty big role in this book and that some of the most brilliant writing so far that I've seen from Clare so far involves his character in this book. The fact that she's still surprising me and that the characters are still surprising me after four books is just astounding. I have read so many talented authors this year, but this series has definitely been one of my absolute favorites.

If you've read the first three Mortal Instruments, then you really didn't need this review to know you would enjoy this, the fourth book in the series. If you have stuck with it thus far, you're like me, addicted to the story of Jace and Clary. So go enjoy City of Fallen Angels, and then City of Lost Souls. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until September of 2013 to read the final installment of this series, City of Heavenly Fire.

City of Glass (Book Three of Mortal Instruments), by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass
Book Three of Mortal Instruments
Written By Cassandra Clare

“And now I’m looking at you,” he said, “and you’re asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. As if I would want to give up the thing that makes me stronger than anything else ever has. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before – bits of myself to the Lightwoods, to Isabelle and Alec, but it took years to do it – but, Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you completely. I still do. If you want me.” -- Jace, City of Glass (Book Three of Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

This is the third book of the Mortal Instruments. If you haven't read the first two you should probably stop right now, because this review will inevitably spoil the earlier books for you if you haven't read them. I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire series thus far, and I definitively recommend it. (Click here for the review of book one)

Clare has done it again. She kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the latest saga of The Mortal Instruments. We began pretty much, right where the other book left off, with Clary desperate to get the cure for her mother, and Clary and Jace seemingly destined to disagree on whether or not they should ignore their feelings for one another. Can I just say that I have been tortured with them throughout the series thus far, as they battle between their feelings and what they feel is acceptable? I just ache for them when I see how heart wrenching their determination to behave like they are just siblings because they believe they are doing what is right. I have come close to tears over and over again as I read about their struggle. To have finally felt real love just to have it jerked away. And even though you know their love is "wrong", you just somehow want it to be different.

In City of Glass, Clare once again reveals more unexpected plot twists that leave you amazed and shocked. New characters are introduced alongside the regulars that we've gotten to know in previous books. Clare continues to dive more deeply into the past of the Clave and the main characters personal histories. We also continue to see the growth of Jace, Clary, Isabelle, Alec, and Simon as they navigate the normal teenage problems as well as those that are specifically tailored to their, shall we say, unique characteristics.

I cannot recommend this book and this series enough. It's an awesome read, cover to cover, just like the first two were. I'm anxiously awaiting getting my hands on the 4th book.

City of Ashes (Book Two of the Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes
Book Two of the Mortal Instruments
Written by Cassandra Clare

"It doesn't matter how many time you say it. It'll still be true." (Clary)
"And it doesn't matter what you won't let me say, that'll still be true too." (Jace)

-- City of Ashes, Book Two of The Mortal Instruments, by Cassandra Clare

I want to start out by saying that if you haven't read Book One of The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones, and stop right now, go read that review, and that book, and then come back. There is no way to properly review this book without mentioning things that are a given at the end of City of Bones, and if you haven't read it, this is going to ruin it for you.

 

It's true, Elizabeth Cook is right; sometimes it takes balls to be a woman. Wow, it was a totally brass move on Cassandra Clare's part to write the ending she wrote on the last book. I thought of this song immediately when I read the ending. I wanted to comment so badly on it in my review of City of Bones, but I refuse to write a spoiler review that can only be safely read after you have already read the book. It defeats the purpose of a review, in my opinion.

City of Ashes starts off, with everyone still pretty shaken up over the startling revelation that Jace and Clary are actually related, closely related, like brother and sister related. The tension between these two is insane throughout the entire book, as they struggle to come to terms with their shared parentage and what it means to their burgeoning relationship. I'm still not quite sure how Clare manages this, but your heart is in your throat and tears come to your eyes as you read, because no matter how "wrong" you think their love is, a part of you desperately wants it to work out for them. You were just as touched by their passionate and intense feelings as they were and, like Jace and Clary; you're not quite ready to let them go.

I liked the complexity of a few of the newly introduced characters like the Inquisitor, Max, and the Lightwoods. Clare reveals more of the intriguing back story on Valentine's Circle, so we're starting to understand him little better. Although there weren't as many surprises in City of Ashes, she did manage to sneak in a few curve balls when I wasn't looking, and still left enough in question ,as the book came to a close, that I'm dying to go grab the next installment. I think that I may have even enjoyed City of Ashes more than City of Bones, which I would not have thought was possible.

City of Bones (Book One of The Mortal Instruments)by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones
Book One - The Mortal Instruments
Written by Cassandra Clare

“Declarations of love amuse me. Especially when unrequited.”
―    Jace, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I came across this book when searching for other dystopia novels after reading and falling in love with the Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins.  In my opinion, it wasn't a true dystopia novel, but after reading it, I can't imagine not reading the rest of the series as well.  I also found that it's in the pre-production stages of becoming a film (The Mortal Instruments) starring Lily Collins and Jaimie Campbell Bower.  I have to say I'm in the group of avid readers who are actually enjoying seeing so many of my favorite books turned into films.  A film rarely is a completely accurate portrayal of a book.  That being said, I still enjoy seeing the characters I've grown to love come to life on the big screen, whether or not the screenwriter takes a few creative liberties here and there. 

The basis of the Mortal Instruments series revolves around a little known warrior race, the Shadowhunters. It is the job of the dwindling Shadowhunters to rid the world of demons. City of Bones may contain all the supernatural characters that you'd expect to find in a book of this genre:  fairies, vampires, werewolves, witches.  However, it's similarities end there.  Cassandra Clare paints a vividly accurate picture of each character without boring you with lengthy descriptions. 

What makes Cassandra's storytelling style unique is how she manages to combine the predictable dangers and drama that surround the main characters, with some very improbable surprises. She has this amazing ability to get you, the reader, to a point where you feel that the main characters are practically immortal, because they have survived so many impossible situations already.  Then, when you least suspect it, she reveals their humanity and shows you how easily they can be brought to their knees.  It was this rare skill which kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. 

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