Okay so the real main character in her books is Jace. She is a master at character development. We fall hopelessly in love with him along with Clary. But now after four books it's the same old thing; Clarissa can't have a normal relationship with Jace. It's starting to get really old. I almost feel as if Cassandra Clare wanted to end this story differently, but perhaps was persuaded to change the ending by her editor. It feels like it to me. Like it was set up.
What I find even more fascinating are the other characters, like Simon Lewis and Isabelle Lightwood. And normally when writers introduce a new character, they are generally somehow suspicious. As a rule, readers don't trust them, coming in so late in the story, but in this case she adds a new mix to an old set of figures.
I think for me, this is the last one I'll read, as I don't want to be strung along anymore.
What I find even more fascinating are the other characters, like Simon Lewis and Isabelle Lightwood. And normally when writers introduce a new character, they are generally somehow suspicious. As a rule, readers don't trust them, coming in so late in the story, but in this case she adds a new mix to an old set of figures.
I think for me, this is the last one I'll read, as I don't want to be strung along anymore.
Becky (2manyb00ks) reviewed City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, Bk 4) on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
What a great book with such a TERRIBLE ending. This book was a pleasant, quick read, but I hated the ending. I am definitely a lover of happy endings and this book was just not that! For Moms of teens, this book gets a bit racier than other books in the series. Overall, I think with a few tweaks on the 3rd book (City of Glass) Miss Clare could've ended the series there. This book was a disappointment for me.
Not sure I am interested in reading 5 & 6 although this one sure leaves you hanging.
Not sure I am interested in reading 5 & 6 although this one sure leaves you hanging.
Melissa B. (dragoneyes) -
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked the first three books in the series and was looking forward to this one. Boy did I have a hard time getting through this one! There was so much teenager angst between all of them I thought I was going to scream! I know that it is a young adult book and that there would probably be some of this in there but this book was mostly filled with it. It really didn't get interesting until it was almost over. In the first three books I loved all the characters, the world in which it set up and all the fast paced action. This one didn't really have any of that. The characters were there but by the time I finished the book, I didn't like most of them very much anymore. Nothing new on the Shadowhunter world and it really wasn't fast paced until the end. Really thought about not reading book 5 but a friend who agrees with me on this one said 5 is better. So I might try it. I just hope it redeems book 4.
Helpful Score: 1
I read the first four Mortal Instruments books all in a row. I love the world Clare has created. Her characters are interesting and their struggles compelling. Love them. But, that said, this book was very hard on a loyal fan. I'm tired of Jace getting a raw deal again and again -- and now, given the cliffhanger ending, AGAIN. I'm tired of Clary always dropping her stele - or after she devises a weapon out of something ordinary, dropping that 2 seconds after she's used it once. She's impetuous and careless and we're supposed to root for her but after all she's gone through, wouldn't you think she'd be more careful? She may be new to this world of Shadowhunters and demons but when her power has to do with writing marks, you'd think she'd keep a writing instrument nearby at all times! I'm not sure I can read another book in this series. Clare is too hard on Jace and these books are supposed to be FUN to read.
