In the fourth book of the Mortal Instruments series, Clary is back in New York training to be a Shadowhunter with the help of Jace. Jace is being haunted by dreams that cause him to pull away in an effort to protect those he loves. Meanwhile, daylighter Simon is caught between dating Isabelle and Maia and learning to be a vampire. When Shadowhunters start dying, the alliances between the Clan and the Downworlders are tested, and an ancient evil rises to challenge them all.
First, I have to say I love Clare's inventiveness and the unique way she uses Christian mythology to explain a world of supernatural creatures who struggle in that epic battle between good and evil. In this book especially, the story flows quickly following several different story lines and building a dangerous puzzle piece by piece.
That being said, the Clary-Jace romance is filled with enough teenage angst to give Bella and Edward a run for their money (and have we wishing- only momentarily- that one of them will finally put the other out of their misery!) Clare also ends her story with an obvious set up for a sequel rather than just ending it. I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, Clare's last book and the first in a spin-off series set in nineteenth century London, and I had hoped that the City of Fallen Angels would be more like it. Instead, Clare seems to be reviving old drama and plot elements from earlier books in the Mortal Instruments series. Yes, I know I'll read the next book to find out what happens, but I hope Clare decides that it's okay to allow her characters to develop rather that regress.
Hrmmm.... I liked Clockwork Angel, too, and was hoping it was a sign of less-angsty storytelling to come. I was about ready to sock Clary and Jace by the end of book three. :P Oh, well. I'll still read it and just ignore the out-of-control hormones, seconding your hope for eventual development over regression.
ReplyDelete