When Cassandra Clare announced the Mortal Instrument series will be a six book series instead of three, I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was worried because I thought City of Glass wrapped things up so nicely and was afraid that this series would get drawn out. On the other hand, I was excited to meet the cast of characters that I had grown attached to again and was curious as to what could possibly happen to spur three more books. Since City of Fallen Angels was released just this Tuesday, I'm sure many of you either have just started the book or waiting anxious to get your hands on a copy which is why I decided to post a spoiler free review.

Description: It's been two months since the earth shattering events that took place in Idris. Our starring heroes and heroines are trying to readjust to life and find some normalcy, but of course that easier said than done. There has been a mysterious string of murders that are taking place in New York City, which has caused hostility between the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. There seems to be one thing that connect these crimes: Simon Lewis, who was once use to the comfortable shadows, but is now forced to be in the center of everyone's attention. Why does everyone want Simon and who is the mysterious murderer? Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Review: I didn't just read City of Fallen Angels, I devoured it. I couldn't put the book down. Trying to do work instead of picking up the book was extremely hard. I started Tuesday night and finished it Thursday afternoon during my lunch break at work. It goes without saying that I was sucked into the book and comfortably back into Clare's world where fantasy and contemporary New York City seamlessly blend. I actually felt as if I never left her world. I finished the first three books in the series and I wasn't sure if I remembered everything thing. Thankfully, Clare does give us enough information about past events that jogs our memory but it doesn't bog down the book. For readers who are completely new to this series, I would highly suggest you read the first three books in order (City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass) before reading this book. Important events and people are mentioned, but aren't fully explained which might cause confusion to new readers.
  City of Fallen Angels reminded me a lot of what I loved about City of Glass, my current favorite book of the Mortal Instrument series, mainly because there is non-stop action, plenty of romantic tension, and snarky humor that has made this series so appealing to me. I have heard from many that this book is called "Simon's book", but that is not necessarily true. Simon does have a larger and important role in the book, but Clare does a great job in providing each character their time on the page, which is why the third person narrating style works so well in the book. While we still get to see our romantic couples in their phases of ecstasy and despair, we also get a sense of a new budding relationship in the works, which I really hope is fruitful.
  I will say that some of the annoying habits of the characters are still prevalent in this new volume of the series. Jace irritated me to no end, but then again he did annoy me in the first three books too with his false bravado and baggage. There were many times when I said to myself  "Here we go again" but after knowing his hardships from the previous books, it still bothered me but I managed to overlook this.
  My favorite part of the book is getting inside Simon's head (he's my favorite character in this series followed strongly by Magnus and Isabelle) and learning how he is adjusting to his new identity along with his power/curse. Through his eyes we can see what it is like to be the insider and the outsider simultaneously. I also loved seeing a different side of Isabelle and Alec, who were more reserved in the first three books, but become more three dimensional in this book. City of Fallen Angels does have a dark tone than its previous books and Clare doesn't hesitate to put her characters into the grinder, which makes us realize that not even fictional characters can escape the consequences of their actions.
  Readers who have read Clockwork Angel, the first book in the prequel series called Infernal Devices, will either see or hear familiar names. We also meet a few new characters along the way too. While some of the plot twists were predictable, many new questions have been raised. Things are just going to get more complicated as they go along and I'm intrigued to know how the events in Victorian England have an effect on our contemporary world. Of course the book ends in a cliffhanger, we are in a YA series after all, and we do have quite a while to wait for the next book in the Mortal Instrument series, City of Lost Souls which will not be released until 2012. Fortunately, we do have to wait only a few months until the second book in the Infernal Devices, Clockwork Prince, which will come out this summer. If you're like me and really enjoyed City of Glass, I don't think you'll be disappointed with City of Fallen Angels and if you are, I would love to know why.


Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There are some intense make-out scenes, some language and PG-13 violence in the book. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Dark Divine series by Bree Despain, Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray, Angelfire by Courtney Moulton, Demon Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan