Cassandra Clare is a master of suspense. Her books keep you reading page after page. She knows how to tease you to the next book, or in this case series, too. I couldn’t wait for the release of “City of Heavenly Fire,” the final book of Clare’s The Mortal instruments series
A week before it’s release, I started re-reading the first five books in TMI series, just to refresh my memmory on the backstory so far and be ready to pick up just where “City of Lost Souls” left off. A second read through did not disappoint. There were a few things I picked up on the second go-round that I didn’t necessarily bank the first read through, things that come into play in the final volume.
Clare tied up the main plot with a nice little bow in COHF, but like all of the TMI books, the tag teases just enough to make you want to jump right into the “The Dark Artifices,” the next series that spins off from TMI.
I expected sparks to fly when Clary and Jace finally got to be teenagers in COHF ... but, man did they make a fiery pair, lighting up hell! Clare handled their big moment together very tastefully. The blaze was lit, the intensity flamed — intimacy without losing TMI’s YA label.
I love that Jace takes care of Clary while meeting her on common ground, each aware of thhe others’ strengths. He’s careful with her, never pushing her beyond what she’s capable, helping her to adjust, showing her his trust, adoration, faith, respect and need of her. He even remembers at the last second, when he’s quaking with need, to be careful and sure, responsible.
Some of the more flagrant scenes with Simon and Izzy I found tantalizing. Gotta love big brothers and their timing! Hilarious and very ... real. (Most of us have been there, either as the older or younger sibling.)
In COHF, the fab five — Clary, Jace, Alec, Izzy and Simon — prove literally this time they’ll literally go to hell and back for each other, their loved ones, nephilim and mankind. They battle big bad Sebastian .... and win — just not exactly like you thought they would.
Yes, Sebastian/Jonathan builds his Dark red-suited army to destroy the world. He takes out several institutes around the world in quick order, turning Shadowhunters who aren’t killed into the Endarkened.
And, Jace is like an avenging angel cutting a bloody swath through Sebastian’s army when they surround the Citadel, threatening the Iron Sisters and the armory they protect and create inside. Naturally, when the the young Shadowhunters try to explain to the Clave the power of the blonde-haired demon’s dark army, they don’t listen and walk right into his trap. By the time they again figure out the teens know their crazy, Sebastian is already a few steps ahead, anticipating their response.
No big surprise either when the Fair Folk-hosted dinner just before the big meeting in Alicante turns out to be a set up with the Downworld council members end up drugged and captured by Sebastian. The fact that Luke and the fab five, especially Jace, didn’t see that one coming was a bit of a head scratcher though.
Sebastian uses his hostages to try to force the Clave into turning over his “brother” and sister, two puny Shadowhunters, in exchange for the Downworld reps’ return. Otherwise, the Clave sends a message to the Downworlders that their people aren’t as important as Shadowhunters. Bet Sebastian would be pretty good at chess, but Clary and Simon just might put him in check before it’s all said and done.
Of course, the fab five have to go after the Downworld reps on the counsel. That’s Alec’s man, Clary’s parents and Raphael — Simon’s maker or sire. So they set out on the path to hell via the Seelie Court. Of course, the queen, Sebatian’s “beautiful one” tips him off. They expect he’ll know. They just have to be smarter. So they trudge on using Morgenstern’s bracelet as a GPS to Sebastian. Simon’s gamer skills come in handy along the way, pointing out danger and offering options.
They are tested as they enter the realm. Why wouldn’t they be? They’re bound for hell. But as the name would infer, the reality they find themselves in is slightly off. Sure, there are parts that’d fit their dreams, but things that are way off — things the heart recognizes are wrong, allowing them to pull out of the demon-induced dream. Too bad the nightmare the fab five are living isn’t over as easily.
Even Sebastian grows bored with his inane game and decides he’ll alter course and do as the bracelet says... why destroy earth when you can rule hell — and have the one person he thinks might understand him there beside him, even if by force.
Jace battles his inner demons, learns to channel the heavenly fire thanks to Clary’s ruins and insight.
Just when you think Izzy and Simon finally have it together, she almost dies, he saves he from demon poisoning. Simon proves his worth once again and sacrifices for the good of his girls and those important to them.
The resulting actions prove no matter how bad or what happens, you can’t completely erase someone and past experiences from their’s memory. They are a part of what makes us who we are. Clary and Simon’s bond, his growing relationship with Izzy, even his connection to Jace and the outside influence who remember even if he can’t immediately all serve to bring “their” Simon back to the fab five.
As Magnus says, he’s special... wonder if we’ll get a peak in other series at just how special. (Not much of a graphic novel ... manga type fan.)
The bond forged between the main characters, and even a few secondary characters in this series were made in fire, tempered in steel and gold — unbreakable, pure, somewhat mercurial but as true as heavenly fire. I think Cassandra Clare could write a whole other series picking up where TMI left off on just the secondary New York characters.
I like Magnus well enough, but he’s better with Alec. I don’t think I’ll be reading his series, the Bane Chronicles.
And the New York Institute’s cat, Church. I have always wondered about that cat. There’s always been something ... different ... special about the cat. I wondered who cared for Church when the Lightwoods departed town each time. And what of Magnus’ cat? Figured he could cook something up so the cat was fed in his abensence, but I always wondered about Church. And what was he doing at the farm at Joyce and Luke’s wedding (which finally happened!)?
Interesting to learn about Alec’s dad’s past. Glad he finally acknowledged Alec and gave him some acceptance. Had to squee when the identity of Magnus’ dad was FINALLY revealed.
The big question is what name ... if they live long Shadowhunter lives... will Clary have a few years down the road. You’re left with no doubt she and Jace will make it together, but will she be a Fray/Fairchild, Morgenstern or Herondale? Will they have little Fairchild-Morgenstern-Herondales? Jace makes it very clear he wants her, possibly living one day at the Herondale family home in Alicante and married to him. Was she being funny, deflecting his comments... she’s still only like 16-17. He’s not even a solid year older.
As COHF started with mostly new characters in a different institute and city, I was a bit put off, wondering what baring it had on the rest of the plot. And thinking... it was just a device for the new series, that it was too slow and not focuses enough on the central conflict where we But, I should have known, Clare doesn’t toss out random characters or plots just to fluff out the book. I do believe I’ll be following Emma and the Blackthorns to Los Angeles to see how their story plays out. Couldn’t help but fall in love with such a brave girl and her BFF... (kinda like a certain read head and her not so undead no longer cursed friend,) just hope that parabatai bond doesn’t come back to bite them in the end.
And of course Helen and Aline need a resolution, and you know the Fair Folk won’t take The Clave’s prounouncement or more appropriately denounement quietly. They are a devious group to begin with.
As for the other Downworlders, perhaps new leadership is just what they need, the pack in Maia and the clan in Lily.
All of the predications from Magnus and the warlock, Tess and Zachariah and their connection to certain Shadowhunter families... vey interesting. Speaks of many other things to come.
Fall 2015 seems so far away!
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City of Heavenly Fire is scorching!
Absolutely riveting with twists and unexpected turns. Just when you think you have the plots and characters figured out you are slammed with a surprise! I've become an absolute fan of this series- there is no doubt the movie series must continue too!!
Top reviews from other countries
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Tereh RosasReviewed in Mexico on March 20, 2018
Es uno de los mejores libros que he comprado
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