grav_ity | Book # 12: City of Fallen Angels, by Cassandra Clare

There were quite a few things I liked about this book. The modern setting meant they could all be reasonably snarky, and there were just enough call backs to the first three books (and the Infernal Devices) to keep me interested (though, I swear, if Alec turns out to be a Herondale, I am DONE). Considering that my two favourite characters didn't show up until half-way through the book, it was actually better than I was expecting.

I was a bit miffed that Clary was essentially the bait for 90% of the book, but at least Jace was also the bait (sort of) a lot. And Isabelle was awesome. There were, however, a LOT of people in this book, and following them all was a challenge. But the whole Mark of Cain thing paid off nicely, and the ending was only visible from orbit (instead of, say, ALPHA CENTURAI), so it could have been worse. I'm not all "OMG, CLIFFHANGER!" because it was kind of like getting hit by a train after the bells have sounded and the lights have flashed and the barriers have come down and you've been stupid enough to cross the tracks anyway.

There was a lot of OMG, YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID! in this, in that they never talked to one another, but at least it was consistent within everyone's characters (and Magnus broke my heart AGAIN because that is what he does). I really, really hate Jace [whatever his last name is this book]. Just saying. I mostly want Clary and Izzy and Maia to go off and Conquer the World between them, but this should not surprise anyone.

So...8. Because the cover is pretty and Alec is awesome, even if he's only in half a book, and now I'm stuck sitting here wondering what happens to atheist vampires.