by Cassandra Clare
Read: June 5 - 14, 2014
Published: May 27, 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Hardcopy Purchase
Category: Angels, Demons, Shadowhunters, Urban Fantasy, YA
Series: The Mortal Instruments #6
Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository
Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.
The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?
When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...
Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!
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City of Heavenly Fire is the six and *final* final story in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. And you know what, I'm glad I stuck with these books until the end. I think the last three, especially this one, were indulgent, but after a bunch of disappointing series ends this year, it was nice to read one that I could rely on.
This was not a quick read for me, mostly because it is Clare's standard third person rotating perspective and we have about 10 point of views present. But I enjoyed reading through this at a leisurely pace. The end didn't blow me away, but it made me happy. There were a few surprises in here, but for the most part, it was everything I expected from a Clare finale.
All of our beloved characters are present in this conlcusion and we get to spend quality time with them. Each of them had growth patterns through the extended 4-6 TMI books, though they still mostly ended up where I expected. Still, I enjoyed seeing Clary and Jace finally working together as a team and solidifying as a couple. Magus and Alec have a rewarding story arc throughout the extended series, and Isabel and Simon get some action as well. Of course in true Clare fashion there are deliberate story arcs with messages she clearly wants to impart through them. Most notably we see this with Maia's plot line.
However, if you are wondering if these books are "necessary" to read, I will say that it is only Simon who has Significant and Surprising changes in this book. Where the other characters end up a little further down the life path we saw them on at the end of City of Glass, Simon's growth is more new and unexpected. I love seeing how different he is from the boy in City of Bones, and I was the most emotional about his storyline in this finale.
The other thing that Cassandra Clare does so well is market her books. In City of Heavenly Fire we are introduced to Emma, Julian and his siblings, who will star in Clare's next series The Dark Artifices (they were actually introduced in the last book, but here they have a more significant role in the plot). I was a little unhappy at first with the major role they played, as the whole prologue is dedicated to them. However, that prologue does become significant to this story, and soon, I was hooked into their lives as well. We also get to see from both Tessa and Brother Zachariah and read some teasers for the book that will take place after The Infernal Devices (I forget the name). Basically, this story ties all of Clare's written and upcoming series together. If you've only read this series, the additions are mostly subtle, but they are there if you know them.
I like seeing characters from different perspectives, and watching as this world expands. However, I'm taking a break from Clare's books for now. If I read any more of them, it will be when a full series set has been released. Still, I did enjoy City of Heavenly Fire, and find it to be a worthy addition to the Shadowhunter universe.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Series Conclusion (for the last time?!). Teases The Dark Artifices series pretty heavily, however.
Amazing review sweetie. <3 I'm glad you enjoyed this one :) But aw. I'm sorry you are taking a break from her books :\ I adore them all, lol. And omg. I loved reading about Emma and Julian. <3 I just cannot wait for all of Cassie's new books. Sigh. So excited :) Anyway. I did love this book too. Though maybe a little bit more than you (A) I loved getting to read about them all. Sigh. Jace is just all kinds of awesome, hih :) Thank you for sharing. <3
ReplyDeleteI read the first three books in the series and didn't bother with the rest of them. I don't know, I just didn't feel compelled too because I'm guessing the first 3 books didn't leave much of an impression on me.
ReplyDeleteI do like the sound of the character development that Simon undergoes. I'm curious about Emma and Julian. I might give The Dark Artifices a try. I do wish Clare would extend into some other world now. She's too stuck in the Shadowhunter world.
Lovely review, Lauren! :)
You know, I've read a ton about Clare (and a couple of her books) -- she's an interesting author. A lot of people dislike her because she started out as a fan fiction writers (as did this series) but IMO, she's developed this series far beyond its fanfiction roots. And I like how she's taken this world and expanded it.
ReplyDeleteUgh, you're going to make me read this, aren't you? I remember staying up till midnight and downloading them immediately on release day with previous books, but I just didn't feel that need with this one. I'm done with Shadowhunters for awhile, especially after watching the atrocious movie over the weekend. SO BAD. HOWEVER. Your mention of Tessa has me intrigued. I knew she'd make an appearance from everything I'd read, but I didn't know if it would be significant enough for me to care. I enjoyed The Infernal Devices series MUCH more than TMI, especially when an additional three books in TMI were announced after a satisfying conclusion in book three. I don't know...if I do try this one, I'm thinking I'll go with the audio since Logan Echolls, I mean Jason Dohring, narrates. :) Great review, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI really loved this series ender, it was everything I was hoping for and did not disappoint. I thought she did a great job tying everything up, except for what needed to stay open for the new series. And I've been impressed with how all of the characters, including those from Infernal Devices, are connected and how history plays such an important part in the books. Glad you enjoyed it, but how can you not read the new series as soon as it comes out? I have no self control, I admit. I keep trying to wait on series until they've all been released, but it is impossible. ~Pam
ReplyDeleteEeep! You finally got around reviewing it ;) I hate how many POVs there are and thanks to the 3rd person POVs, they're not that different from each other imo. Anyhow, I still love reading from Simon and Isabelle's POVs and Jace's always make me high on angst. And sometimes laugh out loud :) Yay for a Jace and Clary team :) IZZY AND SIMOOOONNN!!! Heh. I'll be reading this mostly for Simon anyway so I'm glad to hear this. I'm glad Emma and Julian grew on you. Heh, I think it's good to call it a break for now lol. Glad you enjoyed, lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm still reading this right now, or rather listening to the audio which is quite long, but I can already relate to everything you just said. The book feels like a great ending without the book itself being overly epic. And yes she ties very nicely all her previous series in and also introduces us to the next. For this, she gets major clever points :) I'm actually looking forward to the next series. I like The Infernal Devices but I didn't love them as much as I loved the City of Bones series.
ReplyDeleteI'm more than a little judgemental of Clare at this point. I loved the original City of Bones trilogy from beginning to end and though The Infernal Devices didn't end the way I hoped, I still enjoyed the juxtaposition of the different time periods and expansion of Clare's world-building. She's such a talented author in terms of detailing and characterization, but the fact that she won't let go of this universe is bothersome. I'd love to read more of her work but I'm past the novelty of Shadowhunters--clearly unlike her--and it seems I'll have gray hair before she becomes creative enough to attempt a new venture. :/ Oh, well. Glad you enjoyed this one, Lauren, but I don't intend to continue these books after City of Glass.
ReplyDeleteI started laughing at your question mark at the end of series conclusion. :P Personally, I think that if this series had ended after City of Glass (as it was originally supposed to), I would have been more fond of this series as it is, the last two instalments disappointed me so much that by the time this came out I simple couldn't muster the energy to be excited *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI AM glad you weren't let down though, Lauren! It's a pity this didn't blow your mind or anything but at least it satisfied you enough to make you smile :)
Lovely review, Lauren!! :)
Rashika @ The Social Potato
I've only read the first three TMI books (I think?) and if I wanted to finish this series, I'd probably have to start from scratch again. I agree with Keertana -- after reading some of the Bane Chronicles stories I also began to think that Cassie Clare should move out of this world and try something new.
ReplyDeleteI read the first three books and I liked where it ended. I did buy books 4 & 5 but as time has gone on and after seeing reviews that have come through I lost interest. Didn't want to go through the Jace & Clary turmoil. I don't know if I'll be reading CC for a long time after finishing The Infernal Devices. So disappointed with that love triangle. I hated the epilogue so much it ruined the entire series for me. :(
ReplyDeleteNice to hear Clary & Jace got their act together and acted like a united couple. Wonderful review, Lauren! :)