City Of Fallen Angels Novels & Stories

It absolutely does pick up where 'City of Glass' left off, but the focus shifts noticeably. While the war with Valentine is over, the aftermath and Clary and Jace trying to be a normal couple is where we start. Honestly, the real continuation feels more centered on Simon for a lot of it—his new vampire life and the mark he bears suddenly makes him a major player in Downworlder politics. You get that sense of the world expanding beyond the Shadowhunters, which is a logical next step.

That said, the pacing feels different. It's less about a single big bad and more about unraveling mysteries and interpersonal tensions bubbling up. Some fans weren't thrilled with that change, missing the more epic stakes. For me, though, seeing Jace struggle with his own demons and the cracks in his relationship with Clary felt like a necessary, if sometimes frustrating, deepening of their story. It sets up a lot for 'City of Lost Souls' with that cliffhanger.

Oh wow, I had no luck finding an official audiobook version for this one a while back. I'm a massive audiobook listener, especially for re-reads of series I love, so I was really hoping 'City of Fallen Angels' had one. I checked Audible, Libby, and even the publisher's site a few months ago and came up empty. It seems like the original 'Mortal Instruments' trilogy got the full audiobook treatment, but the second trilogy, starting with this book, never did, at least not in English. It's a real bummer because I find the audiobooks help me catch details I miss when reading.

Honestly, it leads me to wonder about the audiobook rights or production choices for series that extend beyond their initial planned arcs. Maybe sales projections weren't as high? Either way, my go-to for reading 'City of Fallen Angels' is still my well-worn paperback. I just have to imagine Simon's voice in my head now.

The ensemble's bigger in 'City of Fallen Angels', so it can feel a bit crowded. Jace and Clary are obviously still central, but Jace is struggling with a new darkness from his link to Sebastian, which drives most of the plot friction. Simon's adjustment to being a Daylighter vampire is the other major thread—his love triangle with Isabelle and Maia gets messy, and his new connection to the Mark of Cain is huge. Magnus and Alec's relationship issues start here too, which is rough but adds depth. Honestly, Sebastian's shadow hangs over everything, even if he's not physically present much.

For me, the key dynamic is the strain between Jace and Clary because of his nightmares pushing him away. It's painful to read but makes their scenes the emotional core. Simon's sections often provide a lighter, more relatable counterpoint, even when his life is a supernatural disaster. Isabelle's protectiveness and Maia's leadership in the wolf pack round out the main group keeping the story moving.