City of Fallen Angels

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Trust is dangerous, and to love is to destroy. Plunge into the fourth installment in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Fallen Angels is a Shadowhunters novel.

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

The stakes are higher than ever in the #1 New York Times bestselling fourth installment of the Mortal Instruments series.

My Review
Page Count: 424
Genre: YA Fiction, Fantasy 
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4

That ending! Once again, Cassandra Clare destroyed me. 

The Good: 

• Characters. I enjoyed watching the characters' relationships with each other grow. I also enjoyed reading more of Simon's story, which made me like him even more. 
• I really enjoyed reading about the cult in this book. Religions have always fascinated me, and even though this contained a fictional cult, there were religious references in here. It took me back to my English classes!
• The ties to the Infernal Devices series. While you don't have to read the books before this, there are a few references that you probably won't get if you haven't read them. (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess). 
• There are some excellent plot twists in this book. 

The Not-So-Good:

• The story line did get a little weird for me at times, but overall it was really good. 
• Without giving away spoilers, I'll just say that Jace and Clary's relationship gets very frustrating in this book. I was irritated with Jace through most of this book until I realized why he is behaving in a certain way. 
• The book started a little slow for me. There wasn't much action until after the first 100 pages. 
• The plot fell a little short compared to the epic ending in City of Glass. I realize that I need to look at this as a separate trilogy. I think it will help my expectations. 

Content Warning: Minor violence, cult references, demon worship, minor sensual scenes, blood/gore in places

Read More

Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Danger, betrayal, and enchantment abound in the “exhilarating” (Booklist) conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy—now with a gorgeous new cover, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! Clockwork Princess is a Shadowhunters novel.

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Will and Jem, will do anything to save her. As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?


The tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

My Review
This book is phenomenal! I took my time reading this book because it is the last installment in The Infernal Devices series. However, I flew through the last part of the book because so much happened. 

What I Enjoyed: 

• The relationships in this book are beautiful. There is so much loyalty and support between the characters at the London Institute. 
• The love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem. Each character really cares about the others and tries to do what is best for them. They are not selfish, and they truly exhibit what love is. 
• The story. Cassandra Clare has crafted a very rich story, and it was fascinating to discover the layers to the story. 

Go read this book!

Read More

Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Claire - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

True love is shrouded in secrets and lies in the enchanting second “steamy, steampunk drama” (Los Angeles Times) in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! Clockwork Prince is a Shadowhunters novel.

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when it becomes clear that the mysterious Magister will stop at nothing to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, tortured Will and the devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal and fueled by revenge. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa is drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa answers about who she really is? As their search leads to deadly peril, Tessa learns that secrets and lies can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Review

Oh, Cassandra Claire, you have done it again! You break my heart every time, and I love you for it. Once again we are taken to Victorian London to continue the story that began with Clockwork Angel. The character development in this book is excellent, most particularly Will, who grew SO MUCH in this book! Clockwork Prince is action packed from beginning to end and introduces readers to more characters in the Shadowhunter world. This book is humorous, and the plot twists are amazing. The love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem also continues and made me feel so many emotions. My heart is broken, and I cannot wait for it to happen again in the next book, Clockwork Princess. 

Read More

Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the “compulsively readable” (Booklist) first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a foreword, and excusive bonus content! Clockwork Angel is a Shadowhunters novel.

When Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks, and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length…everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world…and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Review

I really enjoyed this book! I tried to avoid all the hype because I didn't want to be disappointed. I enjoyed reading about the Shadowhunters in Victorian London, England. This is one of my favorite eras of literature, so it was interesting to see how this novel progressed.

The characters were relatable, and I loved them all. The character development was pretty good, and I think Tessa grew the most. Will is a good character too. One minute you love him, and the next minute he is a jerk. He reminds me of Jace from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. 

Because this is a prequel series to The Mortal Instruments there are many similarities in the Shadowhunter world of both books. There were a few characters that I recognized. Tessa's ability is something that I haven't read about in Cassandra Clare's books, so it was refreshing to have some variety in the characters' gifts. I am looking forward to jumping right in to Clockwork Prince!

Read More

City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher:

Love is a mortal sin, and the secrets of the past are deadly. Plunge into the third installment novel in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Glass is a Shadowhunters novel.

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 Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters 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 newfound powers to help save the Glass City—whatever the cost?

My Review: 

This was a quick read because it was so action packed. Cassandra Clare's plot in this book is definitely a roller coaster, taking readers through the ups and downs of rising and falling action. I think this book really expanded the Shadowhunters universe, and it also explained many of the mysteries and questions that have been woven into the previous two books, City of Bones and City of Ashes. It was fun to see if my predictions were correct or not. 

I think that this is the best book of the series so far. I didn't find it slow in places, and the character development was excellent. Clary grew the least out of all the characters, but we did get a glimpse of her flaws. I think that this makes her more of a relatable character. Jace grows the most, and it was awesome to see this as well as what drives him. 

There is a HUGE plot twist that was so fun. It is hard to go in depth about the novel because the plot is so interwoven with City of Bones and City of Ashes that it might give away some spoilers. Go check this book out!

Read More

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description from the Publisher: 

Is love worth betraying everything? Plunge into the second adventure in the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked” (Entertainment Weekly)—now with a gorgeous new cover, a map, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! City of Ashes is a Shadowhunters novel.

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.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. 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 readers back into the dark grip of New York City’s Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My Review: 
Even though this is book two in the Mortal Instruments series, this novel could be read as its own entity. Readers might not get some of the references, but this book fleshes out the novel and the characters a bit more than the last book. I've heard that Cassandra Clare's writing gets even better as her books go on, and I have to agree. I really enjoyed this book, and I have already started City of Glass. City of Ashes allowed readers an even deeper and more extensive look at the Shadowhunters world and the creatures that inhabit it, including fairies, vampires, and werewolves. The book made me laugh and cry throughout. Because this is such a complex world and the plot threads through all the books, it is hard to write a spoiler-free review. 

I normally don't read books in a series one after the other (except for Harry Potter of course!), but this series keeps me so engaged that I HAVE to read the next book before going on to anything else!

Read More

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - ☆☆☆☆☆

I know I am VERY late reading this series for the first time, and I am very behind in the series! I really enjoyed learning about Nephilum, or Shadowhunters, and the world that they inhabit. Cassandra Clare did an excellent job of setting up and describing the world in this book, and I was drawn in from the very beginning of the book. 

The story centers around fifteen-year-old Clarissa "Clary" Fray and her introduction into the world of the Shadowhunters, The book opens with Clary and her friend, Simon, going to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, and Clary witnesses a murder committed by three tattooed teenagers with strange weapons. The body of the murdered victim disappears into thin air, and Clary discovers that only she can see the teenagers, and Simon can't. She then learns that the victim was a demon and that Shadowhunters rid the world of evil demons. One of the teenage Shadowhunters is Jace, who is handsome, witty, and sarcastic. Following this incident, Clary's mother is kidnapped, and Clary is attacked by a demon in her home. The rest of the novel unravels the mystery behind Clary's mother's disappearance and how Clary and the Shadowhunters intertwine. 

Cassandra Clare's writing is excellent and flows really well. The character development is really well-done with dynamic characters. The book was well-paced, and the characters were relatable. Readers will be able to see what drives them or why they feel or act a certain way. Overall, this was an amazing read. I was so into the book that I read it in less than two days! 

***SPOILERS***

I was really rooting for Jace and Clary to become romantically involved until about halfway through the book when I started to guess that they were somehow related. I actually wasn't disappointed by this because Clary seems to be really good for Jace, by building him up and supporting him. Clary and Jace make each other grow as characters, and I am interested to see where their relationship goes in the future books. 

I was suprised that they had the same father, Valentine. I thought Jace may have only been a half-brother. I was also really surprised that he was so easily pulled into Valentine's game at the end of the book and at how hard Clary had to fight for him to come back and realize that he was her family and that he wasn't abandoned by his mother on purpose. 

Read More