Mundie Moms

Saturday, April 21, 2012

City of Fallen Angels Read-A-Long Day 4: The Art of Eight Limbs



Welcome to Day 4 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 4: The Art of Eight Limbs
  • We're only through chapter 4 and Simon has twice been told/reminded that he hasn't accepted he's a vampire, and that he's turned his back on his true nature to walk with the daylighters. Do you think some of Simon's problems would be solved if he just accepted he was a vampire and left his "human" life behind? Honestly I can't blame him and I think I would do the same thing he is. What would you do? Give into your natural vampire side, or try and fight to remain as "human" as possible?
  • What to you make of the riddle "Blood calls to blood, under the skin. But love and blood are not the same." the Queen of the Seelie Court said to Clary. Do you think she's just messing with Jace & Clary, or do you think she's trying to tell Clary something about Jace? 

Please DO NOT POST SPOILERS. There's some fans who are joining the read-a-long who are reading COFA for the first time. 

26 comments:

  1. Poor Simon...I can understand his need to not let go, but at the same time (being the Army Wife I am, lol) I would have to say he needs to suck it up (ha, get it...ok it's too early for this right)and carry on. Giving up what you know is hard to do though!

    That riddle has always gotten me...I think she is trying to give Clary hints about her and Jace, but with the Seelie Queen you just can't tell. I like to think deep down she is really just trying to help, but Ms. Clare has made it perfectly clear through out the books that you can't trust the Seelie Court!

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    1. LOL I'm right there with you on Simon. I understand he's not wanting to let go, but he is a vampire now and he needs to let it go and fully accept what he is.

      I totally agree about the Seelie Queen. I think her words ring true, but I think she's twisting them the situation that's going to be revealed towards the end of the book.

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  2. *I think I would do the same thing as Simon, especially since he has friends who know about it and still love him. I couldn't imagine how hard it all has to be on him. I do think he needs to let go though as hard as it is.

    *The Seelie Queen has a way to twist everything, so I do believe there is truth to it since she can't lie. I don't think it applies directly to what we think it does though.

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  3. *I can't blame Simon, but he HAVE to let it go. he can't keep going on like normal human being. because he isn't. and that fact will never change.

    *I think that the Seelie Court trying to tell Clary something about Jace, but twisting it. she likes messing up things, so I can't really trust her... but... it dose't sounds like something she made up.

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  4. SO here's the thing about Simon - he gets to be who he chooses to be. Yeah, he's a vampire but that doesn't mean he has to do as all the other vamps do. I'm a human - does that mean I do as every other human does. No! I'm me being a human. So Simon has to figure that out for himself. Just cause all the other vamps choose to hang out together in some coven doesn't mean he has too. And he has things they don't - like the ability to walk in the sun. I say go with it Simon - do your own thing. It's a precious gift - choice. Spend it how you want.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  5. * I feel for Simon wanting normalcy and finding only the strange. I think that Simon needs to find out all there is to know about being a vampire, so then maybe he can try and balance both life styles together.Eternity is a long time to be clueless about what you are.
    * The seelie queen seems to know a lot about things that go on outside her court perhaps it's a warning.

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  6. Simon is trying desperately to hold onto his humanity, and I do not blame him. I actually respect him for it. Plus, he is a Daylighter, which allows him to appear more human. It is interesting to see how his Mark of Cain curse is playing out, like in the last chapter. And if you think about it, Cain was the ultimate embodiment of man's sinful nature. So it is ironic that a vampire would also have that particular curse.

    The Seelie Queen is definitely messing with Clary because of her infatuation with Jace. Saying blood calls to blood is meant to remind Clary of her past insecurities. But what I want to know is what the Seelie Queen ISN'T saying. The fairies do lie by omission all the time.

    Thanks for hosting the read-a-long! I am enjoying it so much.

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  7. I would probably try holding on to my humanity. My morals would be too strong to give into the vampire side.

    And I think the Seelie Queen is sending a message. Though she is manipulative, I believe she does want to help Clary. She's never hurt Clary - in fact, she helped Clary and Jace become a couple indirectly.

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  8. Simon can't accept that he's a vampire. He just shouldn't. That would destroy the inocent boy-next-door persona that he gives off. And I like that about him. (Though I still think that Alec or Magnus is my favorite!!!) He is strugleing with it but the second he accepts that he has to give up Clary and also Izzy and Maia (even though he shouldn't be dating both of them at once, just saying) he would also have to give up the semblence of a family that he has with his mom and sister.

    And the Seelie Queen? I think that she is a witch that was stung by a b. I think that she had a meaning behind saying that but didn't want Clary to figure it out. So she gave off the appearence of being a jerk while giving a message. She was probably standing behind a tree somewhere laughing while Clary was going "What does it mean? The world is ending because of what she said!" And now I am picturing the Seelie Queen creeping behind a tree staring at a confused Clary.

    Happy Reading!

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  9. I don't blame Simon. It's easy enough for him to think that he can keep living the same life, especially since he can walk in the day. Plus, I would be so sad if he turned his back on everything from his old life, especially Clary. If it were me, I'm sure I'd be just like him and try to hang on to my old life. Although I'd also want to test out some of the special vampire powers!

    As for the Seelie Queen, I have no idea. She creeps me out, that's all I know. I hate that she torments Clary and tries to make Clary feel like Jace doesn't desire her.

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  10. Oh, also, this chapter has so many great one-liners, like Jace's thing about the earth splitting in half, Clary's line about the mooose, and Simon's sad attempt at vampire politics.

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  11. Oh Simon, I think he should continue to hold on to his humanity but just needs to be more careful about where he keeps his blood.. He should leave his blood at Clary's and then just do a better acting job at dinner.

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  12. I would do the same as Simon if I were in his place- I mean, the whole first trilogy happens in the span of what, four weeks? To have your life turned totally upside down in so short a time and then somehow have to keep going... I admire Simon for trying to balance things, for attempting to stay himself even when things have fallen apart and it would be so much easier in some ways to give up and do whatever. It's like Peeta in the Hunger Games when he talks about wanting to remain himself, no matter what happens.

    As for the Seelie Queen's riddle, it strikes me that perhaps she isn't talking about Jace. Sebastian/Jonathan in City of Glass was attracted in a weird way to Clary because they shared blood. He desired her, but didn't necessarily love her. There are some other things I think she could be warning Clary about, but I won't say them to avoid spoilers.

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  13. While I think Simon will have to come to terms with his vampirism; he has only been changed for a short time...I hope he keeps his humanity...Magnus would be a good role model...he is very human and 800 yrs old.

    The Seelie Queen is trying to tell Clary something...but in her own twisted way...for her own amusement...helpful I'm not so sure of..

    StephAnnee

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  14. I would do the same thing as Simon, I wouldn't be able to let go of my humanity either. It must be difficult to try to be around the ones you love and have to walk on egg shells to keep them. Just because he's immortal now and a child of the night doesn't mean he's lost his kind and compassionate soul. But in the same token he needs to accept the fact that he can't change the events that have brought him to this point.

    The Seelie Queen likes to use a lot of riddles and trickery. I feel like in this instance she is referring to the fact that the magnatism between Jace and Clary could possibly be just because they share the same blood. She wants to make Clary doubt that Jace actually loves her and make her miserable because Clary declined the queen's offer.

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  15. I don't blame Simon for trying to be human. Being a vampire wasn't something he really choose. I would try to stay a close to my human friends and fight it. As for tr Steele queen I don't get it and she creeps me out.

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  16. I do think Simon needs to resign the life of a mundane and start the life of what he is now, a vampire. Of course problems there are everywhere but Simon is living the wrong life.
    If I were turned into a vampire I would have to evemtually understand that I can't live like a mundane but as a vampire.
    The Queen is probably messing around with Clary, making her think and think over the stuff she is going through getting her confused, also making Clary to doubt herself.

    Spent the day again with my friend from yesterday hahahXD

    Good Night everyone=)

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  17. I feel so bad for Simon and I can understand him wanting to try to remain as human as possible. He never asked to become a vampire and the life he had before is something he still wants. Embracing his vampire nature might make things easier, but he isn't a normal vampire now that he is a daylighter and has the Mark of Cain. I know I would try to keep up my human existence as much as I could.

    I don't trust the Seelie Queen at all. They can't lie, but what they do say is what they believe to be the truth. You never really know what you're getting with them. The Seelie Queen could possibly be trying to trick and tell them the truth at the same time. Grr!

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  18. Here I am! I'm starting the read-a-long at chapter 4 'cause I've left for Austria and I hadn't Internet there.
    Poor Simon! He's so cute and I love the fact that he's still fighting against his real nature. Maybe some problems would be solved, if he would accept his real nature, but then maybe the Simon we knew since the first book wouldn't be the same.
    Awww *w* I love the scene of Jace and Clary at the park, they're simply adorable! And I can't stand Jace's sufference any longer. The Seelie Queen is hard to understand because what she said could be some kind of spoiler about the end of the book but at the same time it could be something to trick Clary another time.
    x

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  19. I hated how this new life weighed on Simon. He wants so badly to keep his humanity, but he is not human.

    I think that the Seelie Queen is trying to tell Clary that she might have to choose between Sebastian and Jace, at some point.

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  20. I bet that all of Simon's problems would be solved if he accepted being a vampire and joined a coven. But Simon never takes the easy way out and I admire him for holding onto his humanity. That's what keeps him from becoming a monster. I think I would fight for my life just like Simon. I don't see how one can't survive while trying to be normal at the same time. Sure it's a little harder because your tired during the day and human blood calls to you, but there are still other ways of getting the blood you need. I think it's very important for Simon to remember who he was so he doesn't do something he will regret.
    It's very hard to take what the Seelie Queen says as the truth. Yes faires can't technically lie, but they can stretch the truth so it's practically the same thing. So I'm not sure where the Queen is going with this, but I think it's more to mess with Clary because she never did accept anything from the Queen back in City of Glass.

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  21. I think that the whole reason readers can sympathize with vampires is they have a human side. I think that Simon is doing the best he can and would be totally crushed if he left his human life totally behind him. His friends are too important to him. Even though Camille brought up some valid points, he wouldn't be Simon if he gave in totally to his vampire side. Hopefully he can find a balance.
    The Queen and her riddles... hmm...

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  22. I fine Simon's ability to walk with the daylighters a gift.Yes he may be holding on to his humanity and not accepting his vampire side but if I had a gift to walk in daylight as a vampire,I would so take advantage of it. It could be a warning for them or she could just be messing with them bc she likes doing that sort of thing.I cant give my real opinion without it being a spoiler.

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  23. Well, I think that for Simon that letting go of the human life and embracing his vampire life just isn't as easy. He was already immersed in this world of supernatural as a human, and about 75% of his life is still associated with those same people, whether human or vampire or whatever. Then his daylighter abilities only further set him apart. He wouldn't really fit in with his kind. What my ramble is supposed to mean is that he hasn't had to, and doesn't necessarily need to, abandon everything from his human life, which makes him think he doesn't need to abandon any of it.

    Seelie Queen? That quote confused me the first time. What I can say now is that I think I have another understanding, but I don't want to leave spoilers so....

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  24. I like the Sabestian/Clary spin on the "calling Blood to Blood" angle. And don't the Fey consider all Shadowhunter's as sharing the same blood- the blood of the Angel.

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  25. I think the Queen of the Seelie Court is trying to tell something to clary and to Jace too, some thimes the blood is more powerful than love.

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