Review - City of Fallen Angels

I've had this book on my bookshelf for about two years, and I have no idea why it took me so long to read it. I'd read the first three in the series, and I loved them. Possibly I was busy with university at the time - I was doing an English Lit degree, so I guess I had other books on my reading list.

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old 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 importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, 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 that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary 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.

From Goodreads

I was hooked from the first page of this book. I really can't believe I waited so long to read it. There are quite a lot of negative reviews on Goodreads, but I loved this book. I can kind of see where those people are coming from, but everyone has their own opinion.

The fact is, lately I've been struggling to find books that hook me - that make me want to read them all the time. I've become quite difficult to please, when it comes to books. So the fact that this one hooked me so well, right from the beginning, has to mean something. I got through it really quickly, too, something that I've also been struggling with.

So, the question is, why did I love it? Let's start with the characters. There are a lot of characters in this series, and I don't think there is one that I dislike. (Well, I dislike the villains, obviously). It was nice seeing Jace and Clary actually acting like boyfriend and girlfriend, even if their relationship was a little broken. I spent the previous three books just wishing they would sort themselves out and finally get together. I have to admit, Jace was a little annoying during this book, but not as much as the previous ones.

Then there's Simon, who I adore. He's changed a lot since the first book, and I think he's changed in a good way. He's really come into his own. He made some mistakes in this novel, but they're forgivable mistakes, and he only made them because he's going through a lot.

I also liked the plot of this book. Some of the negative reviews say that this book was unnecessary, that nothing happened, but I disagree. I didn't get bored once reading this novel; there was plenty of action, plenty of story to keep me going.

I gave this book 5 stars, and I stand by that. I went out and bought the next one on Friday with my birthday money, and I cant' wait to read it.