Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

**WARNING** This is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series so there will be spoilers in the goodreads summary and my review!

Blurb and Goodreads summary: Clary is back in New York and life is good: she's training to be a Shadowhunter and is finally able to call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. When Jace inexplicably begins to pull away from her, Clary is forced to acknowledge that she herself has set in motion a chain of events that could lead to the loss of everything she loves. Even Jace.


Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels

I am a HUGE fan of this series and adored City of Glass. While I do think that City of Glass ended the series perfectly, I was still excited about the release of City of Fallen Angels. Unfortunately it took me a while to get into the story and it didn't live up to my high expectations. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed this book, just not as much as the others. 

In my opinion Simon is the main focus of this book. I was always a fan of Simon but not enough to want to read a book about him. I was looking forward to seeing how Jace and Clary were getting on. And while I am on that topic, I really felt their relationship was lacking at times. I think it is because I missed all the crazy, slightly sick, chemistry between them when they thought their feelings for each other were so wrong. Now that they can finally be together, some of that excitement and tension is gone. I missed it :( On the other hand, there were some hot kissing scenes between the two ;) Jace also didn't seem like himself. Everything that has happened in his life seems to have caught up on him and he has lost some of that arrogant sarcasm I had grown to love.

The supporting characters were better than ever. I really enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable said to Isabelle as she gets involved with Simon. I would love to have seen more of Alec and Magnus; but when they finally arrived, they did it with a bang. Magnus is my favourite supporting character; he is funny but sweet and he cares so much about Alec. Alec shows his jealous streak in this one, which gave me a few laughs! 

"Or there are plenty of pretty girls here, since apparently your taste goes both ways. Is there anything you aren't into?" "Mermaids," said Magnus into his fingers. "The always smell like seaweed."

Overall I found some parts of the story lacking and unnecessary but I did still enjoy it, particularly the second half. The HUGE cliffhanger at the end has left me worrying about whether what has happened can ever be reversed! I certainly hope so! I'm not looking forward to waiting for a whole year to find out! 

Over in Ireland we don't have the version of this book that includes Jace's letter to Clary from City of Glass; but the letter can be found at http://cassie-claire.com/cms/jaces-letter. I just want to write a few words about how much I loved it! I remember when I was reading City of Glass I was so upset that Clare didn't include the full thing! So obviously I was delighted the other day when I discovered this gem! Some quotes from the letter:

"I belong to you, you could do anything you wanted with me and I would let you. You could ask anything of me and I'd break myself trying to make you happy."

"As long as I can still dream, I'll dream of you."

Some swoon worthy stuff right there!

Initially I felt giving this book 3 stars was a bit unfair but then when I thought about it, I remembered all the times I put it down at the end of a chapter because I was a little bored. (mainly with Simon, I'm sorry to say!) And I would have liked to read Clary's viewpoint a bit more. So ya, 3 out of 5 Stars for this one. I am still looking forward to the next book in series!

Review: Passion by Lauren Kate

GoodReads Summary: Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . . 

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last. 

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. 

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

I have conflicting thoughts on this one! Being a big fan of both Fallen and Torment I was super excited about Passion. Over all I thought it was a good read but I found most of the story was unnecessary and unrelated to what the previous books started. None of the questions from the last two books were even touched on and I missed the interaction between Luce and all her friends. 

In this third book, Luce visits her previous incarnations in order to uncover the truth about her relationship with Daniel and the curse they share. At the beginning I found this a bit tiresome but as she started to go back further in time they got more thrilling and I found myself enjoying all the jumping around in time. As sad as it was I loved reading the scenes where Luce goes up in flames in front of Daniel. It gave me so much insight into Daniel's world and how much he loves Luce and the suffering he goes through just to be with her. I was fascinated by Daniel's chapters which broke the slightly repetitive cycle of Luce's ones. It was all very romantic! 

However, Luce did frustrate me at times. Her inability to listen to any ones warnings or advice, the fact that she never questions this Bill character and the way she runs off through time to find proof that Daniel's love for her is true?! There are certainly some faults.

As a story on it's own, ya I loved it; but as a story that's part of a series I wasn't impressed. I loved reading all the soppy scenes between Luce and Daniel but the only parts in Passion that are truly relevant to the previous two books are the last few pages. I still have high hopes for the final book. She has the story lined up well for a big finish. Because I like the series so much and have high expectations for the last book I'm still going to give this one 4 out of 5 stars. 

Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

GoodReads Summary: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

So much is going on in this book! It felt like every paragraph ended with a cliffhanger. There was just so much to take in and I loved it all! The term tortured hero couldn’t apply more to Jace in this book. His character is darker this time round but he is still fundamentally a good guy. I loved how all the characters seemed to mature so much in this book, in particular Simon and Clary. It is fast paced and packed with extraordinary descriptive visions and creatures. Clare has created a magnificent and wild world that is completely believable.

The story is full of twists, one huge one in the form of Sebastian! It delves further into the relationship between Magnus and Alec, much to my delight. I’d like to see more on them in City of Fallen Angels. Magnus is such a character with all his quirky clothes and blue glitter.

At this stage all of the books have just blurred together for me, but I still think this one is my favourite because it centered around Jace and Clary a lot more than the other ones. I usually don’t include quotes in my reviews but I’m just going to add a few that I keep gushing over!


"There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then."


"And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?" His voice tightened. "And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching."

And just one more quote for some Lols!
"I am a man" he told her, "and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone woman, and bring me something brown." – Jace

Over all, I am adoring this series and am delighted with the end of this book. I was completely sucked into the world of shadow hunters and the relationship between Jace and Clary. However I’ll be taking a break from Young Adult for a while, I can’t handle all this teenage angst. I’m giving it 5 stars, and I HIGHLY recommend this series!

Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Goodreads Summary:  Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father? In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My eyes feel like they are going to fall out my head. I have not put this book down once today. City of Ashes is the second book in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. I loved this book!
The story carried on from where it left off in the first book but this time it delved further into the lives and relationships of all the characters, even the minor ones. I don’t want to go into too much detail in case I spoil the first book for people.  I was very excited about the new relationship between Alec and Magnus the warlock and am looking forward to seeing how it progresses through the series. 

The plots are well written. It's fast pace and very detailed. Many parts kept me on the edge of my seat while trying to read faster to see what happens next! I am still in emotional turmoil over the relationship between Jace (whom I love a bit too much) and Clary. Despite their creepy situation I am still routing for them and I still have hope that there has been a huge and ugly misunderstanding! (If you haven’t read City of Bones then you have no idea what I’m rambling on about; I don’t want any spoilers!) There is even more conflict, tension, jealousy and adventure in book two which makes things so interesting. 


I’m giving this one 5 stars! 

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Blurb: It’s after dark in New York city, and Clary Fray is seeing things. The best-looking guy in the nightclub just stabbed a boy to death – but the victim has vanished into thin air. Her mother has disappeared, and a hideous monster is lurking in her apartment. With her life spiraling into darkness, Clary realizes that she has stumbled into an invisible war between ancient demonic forces and the secretive Shawdowhunters – a war in which she has a fateful role to play.


I know I’m a late bloomer in terms of starting The Mortal Instruments series. But hey, better late than never!


What did I think about City of Bones? I thought it was brilliant; although I have literally just read the last page and I’m still feeling very shell shocked about the revelation at the end! I will admit I started this book a few years ago and just couldn’t get past the first few chapters; the same thing happened this time round. At the start I found Clary to be foolish and naïve, following knife yielding men around a nightclub?! But once I read past that and got to know her better I really warmed to her and began to appreciate how awesome the story and characters are.


After meeting shadowhunters, Jace, Alec and Isabelle, Clary’s life as she knows it is turned upside down as she races to save her mother. The world Cassandra Clare has created is seamless and believable. She included everything; vampires, werewolves, demons, faeries, witches and warlocks. 


Clary is funny and refreshingly strong. She doesn’t let others walk all over her and she says it how it is. At the same time she is an ordinary girl that any reader can easily relate to.  Jace is beautiful (and he knows it!), arrogant, sarcastic and pretty much a badass. There is an instant spark between the two and their banter-filled dialogue often had me laughing out loud. I definitely fell hard for Jace! Arrogant but Vulnerable is my favourite!


If you like urban fantasy then this is the book for you. I have two more books on my list before I can read City of Ashes in which I am praying the horrific revelation at the end of this book will be sorted out, although I can’t see it happening. I am looking forward to reading what happens next regardless! This book has it all really; romance, mystery, adventure, violence and that twist at the end! 


I'm giving this book 5 Stars!

Torment by Lauren Kate

A quick warning: If, like me, you don't like to know anything about a series before you read the first book then you might not want to read this as it does naturally contain some spoilers, being the second book in the series. Nothing major is revealed though so it's pretty safe.

Blurb: It took Lucinda an eternity to find her beloved angel, Daniel. But he waited for her. Now they are forced apart again, to protect Luce from the Outcasts – immortals who want her dead. During their separation, Luce learns about her mysterious past lives. But the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Daniel is hiding something.

What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t true? Is it really their destiny to be together? Or is Luce actually meant to be with someone else?

For the second time this week Lauren Kate has WOWed me. Following Fallen, Luce is moved to Shoreline, a school in California for gifted students known as Nephilim – the children of angels and humans. Left on her own Luce is forced to make new friends and she delights in a friendship with Miles, a fun, sensitive and unbelievably caring guy; Shelby, her sarcastic and rough around the edges roommate, and Dawn and Jasmine, two excitable and sweet girls. These characters had a way of sneaking into my head and I found myself thinking about them fondly when I was out and about.

At first I was a bit disappointed with Torment. With Daniel gone all the time things between him and Luce changed. Conflicts and jealousies arouse as secrets about the past were revealed.  I am a soppy romantic and I guess I just wanted to see them happy and together all the time! But obviously that wouldn’t make for an exciting story. But in Daniel’s absence we see some astonishing character development in Luce. She becomes more independent and starts to question Daniel and her past.  

This book had me frustrated and on the edge of my seat throughout (but in a good way!) I think ‘Torment’ is a very appropriate title for this story. Fingers crossed the same can be said for Passion ;)

While a few of my unanswered questions from Fallen were answered, Torment left me with many more questions. The ending was gripping and exciting and to be honest, I don’t know how I am going to wait until 23^rd June to find out what happens!  4 ½ out of 5 Stars. It loses out because I wish we had seen more of Daniel throughout the book.Other than that, I loved this book! It was an emotional rollercoaster for me.

Two Words: Heart-breaking and Consuming

“When he turned to face her, the drawn look on his face was one of absolute agony. As if Luce had just ripped his heart out.”
 

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Synopsis: Instant. Intense. Weirdly familiar… The moment Luce looks at Daniel she knows she has never felt like this before. Except she can’t shake the feeling that she has…and with him – a boy she doesn’t remember ever setting eyes on.

Will her attempt to find out why enlighten her – or destroy her?

I LOVED this book. So much so that I literally ran from my house the minute I finished it to go and buy Torment which is currently winking at me from my desk. I’m very excited to get started.

Fallen follows Luce, a girl with a troubled past, on her first day at Sword & Cross, a reform school for troubled, young criminals. As she struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and come to terms with her past, she meets two very different guys; Cam, sweet and charismatic, and Daniel, mysterious and silent. Both Babes ;) Luce soon finds herself in a strange love triangle with them both.

The paranormal aspect of the story is very well portrayed. The reform school is situated next to a large cemetery which gives a creepy element to the story. On top of that Luce battles with her visions of Shadows which have haunted her most of her life. And then there is Daniel and his mysterious behavior...?

"He felt her touch as though it were burning through his shirt, her hand laid gently on his shoulder, causing him to gasp. They had not yet touched in this life, and the first contact always left him breathless" Page 5

Fallen is a story of forbidden and timeless love and is so terribly romantic and tragic! I love the relationship between Daniel and Luce. The exciting ending left Luce (and me) with many unanswered questions of which I cannot wait to find out the answers to. The minute this is posted I’ll be starting Torment!

I definitely recommend this book! 5/5

Describe in two words: Dark and Romantic