City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, narrated by Ed Westwick and Molly C. Quinn, is set after the Mortal War has ended, but that doesn’t mean shadowhunters are still needed. Clary has made the decision to become a shadowhunter like her mother and father, and she has been training with Jace, which of course means romantic interludes and innuendo.
Be aware that this is the 4th book in the series, and you have to read these in order. You’ve been warned that there are possible spoilers below.
Jocelyn and Luke are making wedding plans, and Clary is navigating her new relationship with Jace and the look of disapproval on her mother’s face. There’s always tension between teens and their parents when boyfriends are in the picture. But Jace and Clary are following the rules, mostly. But what everyone hasn’t foreseen is that decision made by Clary at the end of the previous book are likely to haunt them.
In the meantime, Clary’s best friend Simon is indecisive in love and about coming clean about his vampiric state with his religious mother. His indecision and ultimate choice to tell his mother he is a vampire leads him to be homeless and alone, while Clary seeks to understand why Jace has suddenly become distant from her.
The author has created a world that is absorbing and weaves in myths from the Garden to Eden and the supernatural effortlessly. And, yes, I am aware that this is a young adult novel and that I do not like teen whining or drama, but this is the only part of the novel I would have edited down.
The adventure story, the supernatural myths, and the character arcs are what I’m here for. I love that Simon is finally entering into acceptance of his new state, while Isabelle Lightwood is still standing by him even if he failed to tell her about Maya. Jace clearly has zero relationship experience because his backing away from Clary without telling her what is wrong is not the way to approach his new relationship. Although, this seems to be his normal reaction to things — running headlong into danger, alone. When will he realize it’s better to have Clary and his friends there to support him.
This is where the teen drama is really irksome. But it does build tension.
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare is a solid fourth book in the series and carefully sets up the 5th installment as another adventure to find a missing shadowhunter. I’m looking forward to the next book and the final one in the series.
RATING: Quatrain
