City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

#4 in The Mortal Instruments series
Published April 5, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
3 Stars

Goodreads Review
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 who used to be in Valentine's Circle, 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. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she 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.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Review:  First I just wanted to mention that I listened to the audio book of City of Fallen Angels and was read by Ed Westwick (also know and Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl) and Molly C. Quinn (Alexis Castle on Castle) and they are both absolutely amazing.  I highly recommend this audio book.

I actually liked this a lot more than the previous couple of Mortal Instruments books. If Clary and Jace hadn't been so terribly annoying throughout 98% of this I think It would have been my favorite of the series (Also freaking Alec gave me a migraine. Seriously, I can't tell who has more stupid angst, him or Jace. It's a tie for most obnoxious). As it stands they really knocked it down a few notches. However, I really enjoyed Simon's story. He's becoming a much more interesting character than...morewITH THAT SAID i'M GOING AGAINST THE GRAINwITH I actually liked this a lot more than the previous couple of Mortal Instruments books. If Clary and Jace hadn't been so terribly annoying throughout 98% of this I think It would have been my favorite of the series (Also freaking Alec gave me a migraine. Seriously, I can't tell who has more stupid angst, him or Jace. It's a tie for most obnoxious). As it stands they really knocked it down a few notches. However, I really enjoyed Simon's story. He's becoming a much more interesting character than the Nephilim. I'm curious to see what will come from his mark and I'm hoping he will become more vampire-y as the series goes on. He's basically the only interesting character at this point.  I also didn't hate his love triangle, though I thought he was pretty stupid about the whole thing.  I could relate to liking two people at the same time and not being able to choose one and worrying about hurting the other. I did think the story was interesting as well, at least on Simon's side.  Without giving away spoilers, I liked the cult a lot and hope they show up more.  I was a little disappointed by how the villain was delt with, it felt a little too easy/convenient.  I also thought the cliffhanger ending (and of course there's a cliffhanger) was ok, but I thought it was a little obvious (because Jace always has to have angst). So overall I enjoyed City of Fallen Angels a lot more than I expected.  Cassandra Clare does recycle plot points and characters and nothing in this book is all that original, but it was an interesting set up for a new "trilogy" in The Mortal Instruments series.