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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

August 8, 2019 7:22 am

City of Fallen Angels
All seems well now that the Mortal Wars are over. Everyone is back in New York going forward with their lives in harmony…until they don’t. Clary is training to be a Shadowhunter and is now openly in a relationship with Jace. Her mother, Jocelyn, is preparing to wed Luke. Alex and Magnus Bane are doing well. Simon, however, is in a dilemma. He’s dating both Isabelle and Maia but they don’t know about the other. And, he’s got problems at home with his mother (who kicks him out) as well as being in the middle of a tug-of-war between Rafael and Camille. Jace suffers awful nightmares and inexplicably begins to pull way from Clary. Meanwhile, Shadowhunters are being killed and no one knows by whom or why. There are other troublesome things happening that don’t seem related but…

The bones of this story are really, really good. It’s the execution of it that left me struggling. It’s tough going through dialogue between 16-year olds that feels endless and pointless until they reach the heart of the matter. It was if the action was mired in the midst of all of this as a secondary element instead of the reverse. When the story finally shifts focus to more substantive matters, I had a hard time leaving the book.

I also had some issues with the narrators. Ed Westwick tends to mumble, which works for Jace’s taciturn personality but was terrible for Simon’s more optimistic disposition. He just never fit. Molly Quinn just sounded too young to manage all of the female voices. She even made Clary sound like she was thirteen. I still prefer the audio format but this combination was problematic for me.

It’s a really good story that took too long to tell. Too much unnecessary dialogue and details when an inspired tale waited in the wings. I also liked seeing some connections to The Infernal Devices series! The ending was spectacular with all sorts of implications for the future. Despite my issues, I’m looking forward to what’s next.

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Posted by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

Categories: Audiobook, Fantasy

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25 Responses to “City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare”

  1. I’m so glad you loved the spectacular ending, Jonetta!!! Some books do take a bit too long but that doesn’t make them not great 💕💕

    Liked by 1 person

    By Mackenzie, PhDiva on August 8, 2019 at 10:46 am

    1. That’s it exactly, Mackenzie! When I got to the end, I was excited about the next book so that means something. Yes, I had some tedium but I also had a good time.

      Like

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 3:08 pm

  2. I listened to the first three, so this one is coming up next🤗 All her books seem a bit on the long side. Great review, Jo!💜

    Liked by 1 person

    By happytonic on August 8, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    1. Thanks, Toni! It’s a really good story but just takes some patience. Enjoy!

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 2:41 pm

  3. This sounds like a mixed experience. A narrator which doesn’t suit the story and/or the characters can really lower the overall impression. I had a similar experience recently. Great review though, I like that you keep a balanced view even if you did not enjoy all aspects of the story.

    Liked by 2 people

    By stargazer on August 8, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    1. Thanks, Stargazer! You’ve nailed my experience💜

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 2:42 pm

  4. It sounds like this one never quite hit the right notes, which is a shame, as I think you’ve enjoyed this series.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Alexandra on August 8, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    1. I’ve had my ups and downs but mostly ups. By the time I got halfway through the story, it finally found its way and true voice. It helps when it ends so strongly.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      1. Yeah, if it ends okay, then we can kind of forgive the dip in the middle, or missteps. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        By Alexandra on August 9, 2019 at 2:10 pm

  5. I was watching the series on Netflix…

    Liked by 1 person

    By Chocoviv on August 8, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    1. Did you like it?

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      1. I did at the beginning then stopped…

        Liked by 1 person

        By Chocoviv on August 8, 2019 at 8:42 pm

        1. I’ve seen mixed reviews for the series.

          Liked by 1 person

          By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 8, 2019 at 8:46 pm

  6. I also enjoy how well balanced and thoughtful your reviews are, Jonetta. I hope you love the next installment! ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

    By jennifertarheelreader on August 8, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    1. Thank you, Jennifer💜 That’s high praise from someone who I believe writes some of the best reviews I’ve ever seen.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 9, 2019 at 4:48 am

      1. Aww, Jonetta, you are far too kind. I am not worthy. You are a smoother, more skilled and thoughtful writer than I am. We could probably do this back and forth all day. ♥️ You are the best and I thank you for your friendship!

        Liked by 1 person

        By jennifertarheelreader on August 9, 2019 at 9:49 pm

  7. I have not ventured into this series and I am not sure if I will. I do not like overlong books (I think that is my ADD). I like that you have pluses and minuses, but overall like the series and will continue. Too bad the narrators were not the best fit. Enjoy the next one when you get to it and I hope it is more of a plus for you, Jonetta.

    Liked by 1 person

    By carhicks on August 10, 2019 at 5:02 am

    1. Thanks, Carla! I love long books on audio (normally) as I tend to get through them quicker. This one was tougher mainly because of my issues with the narrators. I haven’t looked to see if they’re the same for the next one😏

      Liked by 1 person

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 10, 2019 at 7:33 am

      1. That would certainly determine if I would listen to the next one.

        Liked by 1 person

        By carhicks on August 10, 2019 at 10:56 am

  8. […] 1. Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts 2. Fatal Invasion by Marie Force 3. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena 4. The House on the Beach by Linda Barrett 5. A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay 6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 7. Prisoner of Night by J. R. Ward 8. Flare Up by Shannon Stacey 9. My Favorite-Half Night Stand 10. Shameless by Lex Martin 11. Watching You by Lisa Jewel 12. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel 13. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare 14. For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt 15. No Ordinary Summer by Linda Barrett 16. Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks 17. Freefall by Jessica Barry 18. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare 19. I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan 20. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 21. The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams 22. Run Away by Howard Coben 23. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover 24. Looker by Laura Sims 25. Riven by Roan Parrish 26. Maybe Now by Colleen Hoover 27. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 28. Fatal Reckoning by Marie Force 29. Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci 30. A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne 31. Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine 32. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 33. Deadly Intent by Pamela Clare 34. The Savior by J. R. Ward 35. Reluctant Housemates by Linda Barrett 36. Hard Target by Pamela Clare 37. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare 38. Death is Not Enough by Karen Rose 39. The Reckoning by John Grisham 40. Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson 41. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 42. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 43. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim 44. The One by John Marrs 45. An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 46. Promise Falls Series: Final Assignment & Far From True by Linwood Barclay 47. Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid 48. Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield 49. Under Currents by Nora Roberts 50. Mine by Courtney Cole 51. When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica 52. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare […]

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    By 2019 Audiobook Challenge – Tracking – Blue Mood Café on August 11, 2019 at 8:09 am

  9. One of these days, I will get to these books. Your review is excellent and makes me want to start this one now.

    Liked by 1 person

    By yayareadslotsofbooks on August 11, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    1. Thank you, Marialyce! I’m enjoying the series.

      Like

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 11, 2019 at 7:44 pm

  10. I read the first 3 and enjoyed them despite all the wild changes. For some reason I never got to this one. I was for Jace & Clary so if they are together I would like this more. I think I’ll keep with reading if I get back to it. Wonderful review.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Anne - Books of My Heart on August 20, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    1. Thanks, Anne! We’re in the home stretch now.

      Like

      By Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café on August 20, 2019 at 6:22 pm

  11. […] City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare […]

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    By 2019 Library Love Challenge – Blue Mood Café on August 30, 2019 at 3:52 pm

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