City of Fallen Angels
| Company type | Imprint |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
City of Fallen Angels represents the fourth entry in The Mortal Instruments series authored by Cassandra Clare. Initially, the narrative arc was intended to conclude with City of Glass, but in March 2010, a new installment was announced, initiating what was described as a "second trilogy" within the saga. This novel became available to readers on April 5, 2011.
Background
As the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments collection, City of Fallen Angels is notable for being the first volume released under the imprint Margaret K. McElderry, part of Simon & Schuster. Its continuation, titled City of Lost Souls, was published in May 2012.
Plot
Simon receives a proposition from Camille Belcourt, a vampire who claims that Raphael Santiago has overtaken her position. She offers Simon acceptance into vampire society contingent upon his becoming the Daylighter. Following this encounter, Simon becomes anxious about his mother’s lingering doubts stemming from his disappearance during City of Glass. Although Magnus Bane erased her memories, she subconsciously remains suspicious.
Simon endures several assaults; however, the Mark of Cain safeguards him by lethally defending against his attackers. When his mother confronts him regarding concealed blood evidence, Simon admits to his vampiric change but persuades her to believe it is merely a nightmare through supernatural influence. Unable to stay at home, Simon moves in with his bandmate Jordan Kyle, whom Jace later identifies as a werewolf.
Jace is plagued by troubling dreams in which he kills Clary, creating strain between them. Meanwhile, Clary and Jocelyn uncover efforts to produce more demon-human offspring like Sebastian after observing an infant with claw-like hands and black eyes at a hospital.
During one of Simon’s concerts, weakened due to lack of blood intake, he bites a fan named Maureen but is interrupted by Kyle. Subsequently, Maia and Isabelle confront Simon about secretly dating both of them. Kyle arrives and is revealed as Maia’s former boyfriend who transformed her into a werewolf.
They receive a message alleging that Simon’s girlfriend has been taken hostage. After discussing it with Clary, Isabelle, and Maia, Simon dismisses the claim as a prank—until Maureen is murdered when he fails to intervene.
At the Church of Talto, Clary and Isabelle engage in battle against a Hydra demon. Jace and Clary share a tender moment; however, Jace injures her accidentally and confesses fears tied to demonic influence resulting from his resurrection by the angel Raziel. The Silent Brothers explain that Jace never received the infant protection ritual typical for Shadowhunters. They intend to perform it again but exclude Clary from the ceremony.
While imprisoned, Jace dreams of Idris where Max persuades him to sever his arms to eliminate his corrupted self. Max—who is actually the demon Lilith—uses Jace’s blood to bind him under her dominion.
At Jocelyn and Luke’s engagement celebration, Clary is abducted by Jace while under Lilith’s control. He deceives Clary into accepting a binding rune that renders her unconscious. Meanwhile, Simon vanishes with Maureen—now transformed into a vampire—and encounters Lilith disguised as promoter Satrina. She reveals Simon’s unique ability as a Daylighter to resurrect the dead and demands he bring Sebastian back to life. Under Lilith’s orders, Jace kidnaps Clary and threatens her life if Simon refuses.
Isabelle, Alec, Maia, and Jordan track Simon using Satrina’s contact information but discover Lilith’s nursery filled with deceased half-demon children resembling Sebastian. Isabelle identifies one infant’s mother among them.
Clary manages to trick Jace into embracing her and severs the possession rune, freeing him from Lilith’s control. When Jace refuses Lilith’s demands, she tortures Clary; Simon intervenes by shielding Clary and killing Lilith, who unintentionally marks herself with the Mark of Cain. The Clave arrives soon after.
On the rooftop, Jace and Clary reconcile despite his shame over previous actions; she reassures him of her enduring love. Later, she joins their friends in the lobby before promising to return shortly.
As Jace’s rune heals, he hears Sebastian’s voice urging him toward completing the awakening ritual that will fully resurrect Sebastian alive.
Shadowhunters
- Clarissa "Clary" Fray: A young Shadowhunter brought up in the mortal world, preparing to begin formal training following the conflict. Her partner Jace, also a Shadowhunter, takes on the role of guiding her education.
- Jace Herondale: Clary’s Shadowhunter boyfriend, grappling with the aftermath of his resurrection.
- Sebastian Morgenstern: Clary’s demonic sibling, who was slain by Jace after murdering Jace’s adoptive brother.
- Alexander "Alec" Lightwood: Jace’s parabatai, engaged in a relationship with the warlock Magnus Bane.
- Isabelle "Izzy" Lightwood: Alec’s sister, who begins a romantic involvement with Simon, Clary’s vampire companion.
- Jocelyn Fray: Clary’s mother, who hid her daughter’s Shadowhunter identity to keep her safe.
- Maryse Lightwood: Mother to Alec and Isabelle, serving as the head of the New York Institute.
- Brother Zachariah: A Silent Brother who provides assistance to the team.
Downworlders
- Simon Lewis: Clary’s vampire best friend and a rare Daylighter who carries the Mark of Cain curse.
- Magnus Bane: The High Warlock of Brooklyn, advocating for the Conclave on Alec’s behalf.
- Luke Garroway: Jocelyn’s fiancé and a father figure to Clary.
- Maia Roberts: A member of Luke’s werewolf pack based in New York.
- Jordan Kyle: A werewolf and member of Praetor Lupus, who connects with Simon through a personal approach.
- Camille Belcourt: Leader of New York’s vampire clan and former lover of Magnus Bane.
Demons
- Lilith: A powerful demon intent on reviving Jonathan Morgenstern by using him as a source for demonic blood.
Mundanes
- Elaine Lewis: Simon’s mother, growing increasingly wary of his unusual behavior.
- Simon's band: Mundane friends and fellow musicians aware of his vampiric nature.
- Maureen Brown: A devoted groupie infatuated with Simon.
Reception
The Manila Bulletin offered a mixed critique, observing that the narrative loses strength when it shifts away from Simon’s viewpoint. Meanwhile, Common Sense Media granted four stars, describing it as an "engaging installment in a bestselling series featuring eerie cult themes."