Welcome to Day 1 of the City of Fallen Angels Read-A-Long. You can follow the entire read-a-long and find each of the day's posts here. Remember there's no right or wrong way to participate. Your comments can be as long or a short as you'd like them to be. You can answer one or each of the questions asked, it's totally up to you, BUT, in order to be entered into the COLS giveaway (which you also had to sign up to win), you do need to be actively participating in the read-a-long.
Today's discussion is about: Chapter 1: The Master
- When I first read COFA I was a little surprised to learn that Simon was dating not just Izzy, but Maia as well. I've never thought of Simon as the type of guy to date two girls at the same time, though I can see why he would with these two. They're both great girls. I've always adored Simon, but I never pictured him and Izzy together (at first), even after their little hook up in COB. If he had to choose one girl to date, which one would you want him to choose?
- Camille *gasp* Where you shocked to learn that Camille is back? I was too. What do you think of Camille's offer to Simon? Do you think she has an ulterior motive for wanting Simon to work with her?
Please DO NOT POST SPOILERS. There's some fans who are joining the read-a-long who are reading COFA for the first time.
Posts
What timing. I'm starting to reread the book today. :D
ReplyDelete* I actually really like Simon and Izzy together. I think that because they are so different, they kind of balance each other out. Don't get me wrong, I love Maia too, she is totally sweet, but I just think that Simon and Izzy are good for each other.
ReplyDelete*I think that the first time I read CoFA I was shocked that Camille is back. I think that as I read it a second time that maybe I will pick up on things that I missed the first time. I still don't quite know what to think of Camille.
I agree, I think Simon and Izzy balance each other, and their relationship is good for both of them. And, if nothing else, it's certainly entertaining to read about.
DeleteI LOVE Simon and Izzy together <3.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I read this, I had just finished Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince, so when Camille was introduced in CoFA, then I got more excited than I should have... even if I don't like her :)
Yay, I'm so happy this has started and can't wait for CoLS. To make the experience a bit different I downloaded the audiobook (this is the first audiobook I've ever lsitened to) so you'll have to excuse me if I start getting distracted by Ed Westwick :P.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Camilles concerned I'm excited that she's back for these books, but I really don't know what to make of her and if I should trust her; I don't trust Rapheal either so for me it's trying to figure the best of two evils- and from later events in the books I'm unsure of what Camille actually wanted with Simon- did she truly want him to help her get the coven back, or is she here a tool of Lilith?
And as for Simon and Izzy, I was shocked he was dating both but I do really like them together, more than I thought I ever would. And persoanlly I'd rather Simon ended up with Izzy than Mia.
I've never thought of Simon as the type of guy to date two girls at the same time as well. and I didn't liked the fact that Clary knew about it and didn't do a thing. I feel bad for Izzy... :(
ReplyDeleteI don't trust Camille. I think she want Simon to do something bad.
I too would never expect Simon to date two girls at the same time, BUT I can totally see how it could happen to him on accident.
ReplyDeleteI see why my friend insisted on my reading Clockwork Angel before CoFA. So Camille didn't surprise me too much. I figured I'd be seeing some more ID characters here. Interesting to read this again (and for the first time on my brand spanking new set of hardbacks) because the first time around it was very much a readjustment, having read CoA then CA then back to TMI, you know?
As for Simon and Izzy...I don't necessarily "ship" them. While I love Izzy I feel like Simon needs someone who is totally committed to him, and Izzy is so all over the place.
***sorry, wait, I was reading?! I just saw that book trailer let me find my thoughts lol***
i love the mention of the count on sesame street and izzy's reaction. really shows you that even though they live amongst mundanes they don't REALLY.
I really feel for Simon and his struggle to remain at home yet still be a vampire.
I do like the Simon/Izzy romance, I believe it's fresh and it seems that it's the sign of things changing in the Shadowhunder world, not all downworlders are enemies you know?
ReplyDeleteAs for Camille, I just don't trust her, she gives me the chills.
Setsuko
It surprised me that Simon was dating 2 girls at once, but I can understand how he kind fell into and didn't know how to get out.
ReplyDeleteI like Simon with Izzy...I think they work well togethor...ying/yang sort of dynamic...
And with Camille back, something wicked this way come for sure...
StephAnnee
I can understand Simon's situation. I mean Isabelle and him weren't boyfriend and girlfriend and him and Maia were just hanging out until she kissed him. But even then it wasn't really exclusive so I can understand how he is confused by the situation, and Clary you know is being a best friend and giving advice but not wanting to butt in to drama. As for Camille well I think there is something fishy going on with her, but my guess its going to be good.
ReplyDeleteI'm not starting to read until later this afternoon, but I think I can handle questions on the first chapter before I start.... again... ;)
ReplyDeleteI really like Izzy and Simon together. Basically because I think it's going to take someone really special to win Izzy's heart and I'm kinda hoping that Simon is it.
As far as Camille goes, I don't think I've ever really trusted her. There is just something very sneaky about that vamp.
I'm impressed by Simon's blindness. It's like he refuses to realise how much his life has been changing. He's just there, pretending everything is the same as in the past, but the truth is everything is far too unusual for him. Dating two girls at the same time, for instance, has nothing to do with him. Even the existence of the Mark of Cain is something he doesn't want to deal with. It seems like, had it been ignored, its effects could dissolve.
ReplyDeleteHe reminds me of Aedipus Rex and his stubborn and desperate attempt not to see the truth.
Speaking about Camille, there's a dark mind lurking under the light blonde of her curled hair. The deep core of her soul is unreachable. It's both fascinating and frightening
1. It was always Izzy for me, even when he was dating both girls. Opposites attract, right?
ReplyDeleteBut I felt like they were more meant to be then him and Maia. I felt like Maia and Simon were very similar, so they would make better friends than an actual couple.
C
amille *gasp* Where you shocked to learn that Camille is back? I was too. What do you think of Camille's offer to Simon? Do you think she has an ulterior motive for wanting Simon to work with her?
I was very shocked. I think she just want things for her own gain, like she did in Clockwork Angel. Eternal living people wouldn't waste their time on people that won't help them in the long run (save for Magnus from that because he is just that awesome)
I think Simon is just adjusting to his new life, try as he might he'll never be the same boy he once was. Isabelle in a way represents the future and Maia helps him connect with the familiarity of his past.
ReplyDeleteAbout Camille...wow it was definitely a surprise seeing her reappear
I was shocked at Simon because he's usually more level headed but he's probably conflicted with being a vampire, the Mark of Cain, losing Clary to Jace officially, etc. He's gone through a lot. Even though what he did was wrong, it was his way of coping.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked but ecstatic. I'm so glad characters from the Infernal Devices series are being introduced more and more in the Mortal Instruments series. :D
Don't hate the player, hate the game. Simon is the unintentional player. I think he should be with Maia because he is free to be himself when he's with her. They like the same things. He doesn't second guess his worth when he's with Maia like he does when he's with Isabelle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read about Camille, I was surprised. I know Cassie had said to read the books in the order they come out, so I already knew a bit about Camille. I knew her character traits, which leads me to believe that she does have ulterior motives.
Readalongs. LoveLoveLove them. Well, as for Simon, he’s an idiot. Both girls at once can’t end well. Personally, I’m not exactly Simon’s #1 fan. I think he should end up with Izzy as Maia is my absoulute favorite character (behind Jace and Magnus) and she could do better than someone with two girlfriends. I like Izzy too but she can hold her own. She’s kinda kick-a**.
ReplyDeleteAs for Camille, Ulterior motive? Heck yeah. She doesn’t seem to do things for fun. She wants something and needs Simon, though that does make her kinda desperate, as she is so much more powerful than him.
Now I have a question for you. Was I the only one who thought Camille’s subjugets sounded a tiny bit creepy?
No, not at all! The subjugetes totally scared me too. It's creepy how they're just blindly loyal to her. AND it's even more creepy that she enslaved them.
DeleteI defintely never imagined Simon as the kind of guy that would date to girls at once. But when I read the first chapter, I didn't feel like he was doing it to be a player or to boost his own ego. It seemed, as many of the other commenters have said, that it just sort of happened to him. And now he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and he doesn't know what to do. While I understand that, I still feel like he needs to take some kind of action in order to be fair to both girls. We shall see...
ReplyDeleteAs for Camille, the first time I read CoFA, I hadn't read the ID series, so that was the first time I encountered her. But now I've read them, so it's cool to re-read CoFA, knowing more about her. Also, I think the first time I read through CoFA, my instinct was not to trust Camille because I just thought she must be a bad person if she keeps humans as slaves.
I'm looking forward to reading more! :)
Whoops, I meant "two girls at once," not "to"
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSo exciting!!
ReplyDeleteWell, as for Simon's love life, I have to say I prefer him and Isabelle. It's not that I don't like Maia, but I've wanted Izzy and Simon together since book 1. In love triangles, I tend to go for the best friend guy who never seems to win, which in this case is Simon. So although I knew there was no chance for him and Clary, I've always hoped he could find someone and have a happy ending. I love Izzy's character, and I think her obsession with weird, unsuitable guys is a cover up for what she really wants and needs- a normal boy like Simon. Almost immediately, I could see them together in City of Bones.
Poor Simon- he had gone so long without any sort of love life at all, and suddenly he ends up with two girls and isn't really sure how he got there... He really doesn't have a clue, as evidenced by his worry over the term "girlfriend" instead of the two creepy guys going on and on about their "master."
I wonder if Isabelle actually does try the borscht (yum!).
Since the beginning I felt that one way or another Simon was meant for Izzy. Izzy has a strong an independent exterior but deep down you can tell that she truly cares for Simon, maybe even loves him. Tsk, Tsk on dating two girls but Simon was already dating Izzy when Maia made her move, and Simon is such a softie he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
ReplyDeleteCamillie, sweet beautiful Camille. I feel like her deal with Simon has an ulterior motive. I think she is intrigued with Simon's mark, and she feels like he can be sort of a protector if he sticks around.
I'm thoroughly enjoying rereading this book again for my third go around. It still gives me shivers and leaves me on the edge of my seat.
I LOVE all your comments!! I love hosting read alongs, because it gives all a chance to "discuss" the book.
ReplyDeleteI honestly adore Simon & Izzy together. When I first started COFA I was shocked at first, but their relationship makes sense to me. I also adore Maia as well.
I had this feeling since Simon and Izzy first met that they would end up together I don't know why. I was shocked when Camille came into the scene in COFA and I do not like her
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading this book again I felt sorry for Simon. He is being so silly trying to manage two girls but I can understand why he would want to. I think he should end up with Izzy.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all i was in such shock that Simon was dating two girls! But i love the idea of Simon dating Izzy, but at the same time i didnt want Maia to get hurt, shes good to him.
ReplyDeleteBut what i didntn expect was for Camille to be back in the picture, and the offer seems pretty good since Simon is not that fond of Raphael.
First of all i was in such shock that Simon was dating two girls! But i love the idea of Simon dating Izzy, but at the same time i didnt want Maia to get hurt, shes good to him.
ReplyDeleteBut what i didntn expect was for Camille to be back in the picture, and the offer seems pretty good since Simon is not that fond of Raphael.
Opps i think the name i signed up with isnt thr same as the one im posting with HELP!
DeleteI was shocked that Simon had become a "player." He does seem shocked that he is dating both girls. I prefer Simon with Isabelle. :D
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see Camille, but then I became worried for Alec. Magnus did seem rather obsessed with her!
I am enjoying the read-a-long! Great questions for today's chapter.
xo
RJ
I like Simon amd Izzy together, as for Maia is a werewolf and Simon a vampire they're natural enemies. I feel Maia can find someone better than Simon. I was surprised Camille is back, since in TID she doesn't come out that much. Camille's offer was a little weird for me since she hardly knows Simon, for me she is just using Simon.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading chapter one, barely had time during the day.
Really enjoying the Read-A-Long=).
Good Night everyone=)
I like Simon amd Izzy together, as for Maia is a werewolf and Simon a vampire they're natural enemies. I feel Maia can find someone better than Simon. I was surprised Camille is back, since in TID she doesn't come out that much. Camille's offer was a little weird for me since she hardly knows Simon, for me she is just using Simon.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading chapter one, barely had time during the day.
Really enjoying the Read-A-Long=).
Good Night everyone=)
I actually wasn't all that surprised that Simon was dating Izzy and liked them together. Though Izzy always seems so strong and unaffected by the world around her, I think being with Simon allows her to be more vulnerable. I like Simon and Maia as friends, especially now that Jordan has returned and she has to work through her issues with him.
ReplyDeleteAnd Camille. I didn't trust her in CA and I certainly didn't trust in this chapter. Her offer seemed a little too convenient at that point. And she even admitted that she was using him to get the other vampires to come back to her!
I love how the book started with Simon. I think it gave us a nook at the new Simon, well how the old Simon is dealing with his new life. And for dating two girls, I think he is flabaghasted that he as one cool girls friend let alone two and he just doesn't know what to do. But I like that Izzy seems interested in him and worried about his safety when he goes off to meet the master.
ReplyDeleteAnd meeting Camille (again for ID fans) was awesome. It really gives your the perspective of how young Simon is as a vampire and how old many other vampires are. Makes you worry about Simon and indeed wonder what Camille's motives are
Becoming a vampire has changed Simon. It pretty much gave him confidence that he never had before. Now he is acting like any other boy so yes I can see him dating both Izzy and Maia. I love him with Izzy, they just make such a great couple. Maia seems more like a best friend, like when Simon and Clary tried to date. It seems that Simon and Maia are trying too hard, while him and Izzy it's just natural that they like each other and like being with each other.
ReplyDeleteCamille is a very interesting character and I was a little shocked she is back but at the same time glad she is. Plus this is Cassie Clare so no one is ruled out to come back lol. It is so hard to figure Camille out and while I do see why she would want her spot back as leader of the vampires, but it does seem a little too convient that she would ask Simon for help. The timing is too perfect so I wouldn't put it past Camille to have an ulterior motive.
I don't think that Simon meant to date Two girls at once. I think He doesn't have much experience with dating and let the situation get out of control, poor Simon he's too much of a gentlemen to hurt either girls feelings.
ReplyDeleteAs for Camille I think she is very powerful. She had Simon feeling as if he wanted to please her, to do what she wanted. Rafael dosent have that effect on Simon I wonder why she does? I am surprise about how much she knows about Simon's life, at one point she says I was told you would be slightly peculiar Who is She talking to about Simon?
I do think that Simon and Izzy are a good thing. Totally agree that Maya is more the friend type - after all they both became Downworlders by force and had no choice to it.
ReplyDeleteHaving lost Clary to Jace and having become a vampire must have played havoc with both his self esteem and sense of reality; also he still is only 16! I don't think his dating both girls is him playing, just inexperience and a lot of confuision going on in his own life. Also I would think that neither relationship is strong enoug for real hurt to befall either girl: they are probably going to be very angry at him - but I do hope that it is Izzy he ends up with. I like them as a couple, like many other people above, I do think opposites attract!
hhm Camille, I do dislike Camille a lot - in both series. At this point of the book, it is still very unclear what her "agenda" is for Simon; a power thing for sure and maybe more? When I first read the book, I thought that in effect it would be good if Simon started frequenting vampires and started to learn about his new life; although I totally understand why he wouldn't yet. Cheers untl chapter 2 you all
I think Simon and Izzy are great together, especially since Simon is finally starting to get more confident in who he is. I also believe he didn't realize he was dating both girls at the same time. Clearly Isabelle doesn't take many relationships seriously, so why should Simon? But that doesn't mean they shouldn't have a discussion about it sooner rather than later. Even at 16 he should know a woman scorned...
ReplyDeleteAnd Camille I'm not sure about. I know she has been around long enough to keep herself alive and that can be hard to do without allies. But I'm not sure how trustworthy she is or can be. Simon needs to learn more about being a vampire so he can figure out what she might be using him for.
Love Simon's humor.
ReplyDeleteI don't see Simon with either girl long term; But I like Maia with her Ex better. I don't really see Izzy settling down with anyone for a while.
So I was shocked that Simon was dating two girls but those two makes it even more shocking!! I'm not sure what it is about Izzy that I don't think works with Simon. Maybe it's that I need to see Izzy deal with her commitment issues before I can "let" her have the fabulous Simon. I love Maia and think she might be a tough little cookie for Simon. Guess we'll see.
ReplyDeleteAs for Camille - yeah I don't trust her.
Valerie
StuckInBooks.com
Yeah, as much as I love Izzy, she seemed like the type that would eat Simon for lunch, but he has always been sort of enamored of her.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read CoFA, I hadn't read any of the ID books, so as soon as they started making references to "a long time ago" I had to rectify that, of course
I'll answer the question about Simon. I think he should pick Maia, Izzi is with him to piss er parents.
ReplyDeleteI am a complete Simon/Izzy shipper! To me they just make perfect sense together. Izzy is this wild, tough-as-nails vixen on the surface and Simon is a level-headed, gentle guy who perfectly balances her out and brings out the "real" Izzy in her. They are a perfect ying and yang.
ReplyDeleteCamille seems to be driven by a strong sense of self-preservation and that's the very reason she's still around. She seems to be the kind of person that puts her own interests above anybody else's and I can't imagine her doing anything in life unless she stands to gain something in the process.