City of Lost Souls [Hardcover]

 

 

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Despite this series being my most favourite series of ALL TIME I must admit that I was a bit hesitant to read this book. While I had initially liked its predecessor "City of Fallen Angels" (book four in the series) I came to realize through rereading it multiple times and thinking it over for weeks, if not months, that it was in fact not as good as I had originally thought (I originally rated it 10/10, if I were to go back I would now rate it 7/10 or 8/10)- there was a lot of things about it that irked me, for instance seemingly random plot points becoming MAJOR (I don't know about y'all, but I thought that the Lilith thing was kind of a stretch and yet *another* thing standing in Jace and Clary's way? UGH). However, I now realize that my fears for this book were entirely unfounded (or at least a *little* bit unfounded- there were admittedly still some problems with this book, but nowhere near as many as "CoFA").

One of my biggest problems with this book was Sebastian. For weeks after seeing the trailer for this book I was Tweeting, Facebooking, and telling anyone who came within a ten foot radius of me how KICK-BUTT Sebastian was going to be. I mean, how could he not with wings of fire and his declaration of "I am going to burn down the world"? But I am sad to say that he wasn't.That is not to say that he wasn't creepy or evil, because he was as creepy as hell, but more so creepy in a 'I-want-to-make-out-with-my-sister-despite-knowing-FOR-LEGIT-that-she-is-my-actual-sister' rather than 'He's-climbing-in-your-windows-He's-snatchin-your-people up-Hide-your-kids-hide-your wife-And-hide-your-husband' kind of creepy (a la Antoine Dodson). Overall I found Sebastian to be a a bit flat, lackluster, and almost *too* nice (I know, I feel SUPER weird writing 'Sebastian' and 'nice' in the same sentence)- My opinion is that if you are going to be evil, you'd better not skimp out on it, you better be the most evilest, vile, and KICK-BUTT thing to EVER EXIST.

Another problem which I had with the book is that I found the first half to be SO SLOW. Typically when I begin to read a book I have been highly coveted I will literally DO NOTHING until I finish it- whether it be eat, care for the cats, answer the phone- seriously, ANYTHING, but that wasn't the case with this book. I would read it for about half an hour, set it down for a few hours, pick it back up and read a bit of it, and then set it down once again- I just didn't find myself as engaged in the beginning as I was with the earlier books. That being said, I found the second half to be much more fast-paced and unputdownable. An additional problem that I was that I found that at times the plot felt too linear, going from plot points A> B> C> D without any interference (especially towards the end when a highly sought after item was procured), I think that it's nice to shake up the plot every now again, for instance, plot points A> D> C> B.

Complaints aside, there was A LOT about this book that I enjoyed. For instance, I had forgotten how funny Cassie is in her writing. I bookmarked at least 30 different sentences/ passages in the book that had me literally laughing out loud. For instance:

[Magnus's response to Alec questioning him about Camille] "She wasn't very pleasant the last time I saw her. Of course that could be because I've got an eighteen-year-old boyfriend with a stamina rune and she doesn't" (pg. 42).

"I was hoping they'd put up flyers like they do for lost cats," he said. "Missing, one stunningly attractive teenage boy. Answers to 'Jace', or 'Hot Stuff'" (pg. 94).

"Sebastian can't be the greatest company."
"We don't know that. He could be absolutely fantastic at Scrabble" (pg. 114).

And I thought that it was really nice to see the snarky Jace that we have come to know and love in the first three books, rather than the way too mopey, bordering-on-depressed Jace we saw in "CoFA".

Believe it or not, but I have never really been much of a Clary fan. I can't pinpoint exactly why she always rubbed me the wrong way in the earlier books, but she did. But in this book? I not only didn't find myself wanting to pull my hair out/ groaning in frustration at everything that she did, I also actually came to like her. I think that why I had this change of opinion was because in this book she gave a lot more thought to everything that she did, she didn't have to rely upon anyone to physically defend her- she was able to do it herself, and most everything that she did in this book was selfless.

Furthermore, I also enjoyed the other characters of this book- Jordan and Maia didn't make much of an impact on my in "CoFA" but I was rooting for them the entire book- I think that they make a really cute couple. I also really enjoyed Izzy letting down her guard in this book, it was nice to see her being not only vulnerable, but real. As for Alec and Magnus? I've always had a thing for them, so obviously I LOVED seeing them play a larger role in this book, however, I must admit that they did break my heart a bit. I also really liked that the parents played a lesser role in this book than they did in "CoFA", I personally wasn't a fan of Jocelyn- I was happy to not have to read of her incessantly chastising Clary for her feelings for Jace in this book to the extent that she had in "CoFA" (I mean, pot meet kettle, anyone?).

I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding secondary characters in this book, for instance, who exactly Magnus' father is- I think that whoever he is he can really shape the outcome of "City of Heavenly Fire". Also, I am really curious about Brother Zachariah- I think that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to him and I have an inkling that he is somehow connected to, if not one of, the characters from "The Infernal Devices". Furthermore, I am also intrigued by heavenly fire itself- admittedly I understand little about it, so I am curious as to what role it will play in "CoHF".

All in all, despite my complaints I did VASTLY enjoy this book- I thought that it was a much worthier companion to the original three books than "CoFA" was. I thought that Cassie did an amazing job weaving together all of the various elements from the earlier books in this book- and I LOVED the fact that she didn't just answer questions with more questions like she could have. I also was a fan of the new plot elements she threw in here and there. I cannot wait to see what the last installment of this series, "City of Heavenly Fire" has in store for us!

CITY OF LOST SOULS (Mortal Instruments #5 YA) by Cassandra Clare

CITY OF LOST SOULS is the latest release (May 2012) from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. In their continuing war against the demons and Jonathan Morgenstern, Clary and the Shadowhunters must now face a new enemy that was once a respected member of their own. With Jace missing and presumably under the control of Sebastian (aka Jonathan), Clary's decision to go against orders will once again risk the lives of everyone she knows and loves.

Several weeks after the disappearance of Jace and Sebastian, Clary is frustrated when the Clave no longer place priority on Jace's recovery. When the Clave clear Clary of any wrongdoing or involvement in the missing duo's whereabouts, Clary decides it is time to cash in on the Seelie Queen's promise. Knowing that this is probably one of the biggest mistakes of her life, Clary is once again thrown into a world of misconceptions and double talk. But it is a stunned Clary who will find both Jace and Sebastian trolling the halls of the Institute looking for a secret to uncover an ancient power.

Once again Luke and his pack of werewolves, as well as the Isabelle, Simon, Alex and Magnus will have their hands full protecting the Shadowhunters and the others from Sebastian's cruel and evil ideals. But when a severely injured Luke lay dying from his wounds, it is Clary who will make the decision, to disobey the orders in search of the young man she once knew. With the help of Magnus Bane, Clary is propelled into an ever-changing dimension on the other side of the world.

Alec's relationship with Magnus begins to unravel as his jealousy and mortality shriek their reality with every passing day. But making a deal with Camille who is less than trustworthy will cause Alec more pain than he ever thought possible. Almost losing Magnus to the thrust of a blade will pale in comparison to losing the one person who has loved him unconditionally.

Jordan's return into Maia's life will push the couple closer, but his connection with the Praetor alliance will put them at risk. And now that the wolves have been brought in to hunt a rogue vampire on the lose Jordan will lose a friend before everything is over.

Simon's relationship with Isabelle is fraught with the usual teenage misgivings. Simon's feelings for Clary overshadow his growing desire for Isabelle, and although neither is willing to admit to their mutual attraction, it is Simon who is afraid to make the first move when it concerns his relationship with Izzy. Meanwhile it is the loss of his mother's love that will push Simon further away from his family, until his sister Rebecca demands to know what it is that has caused the insane reaction of his mother.

With the revelation of Sebastian's true intentions, Clary knows she must risk her life to save Jace. But it is Simon who must face the wrath of the Angels in order to separate the connection between Jace and Sebastian. With only the Mark of Cain to offer as payment, Simon will learn what it is to be suddenly vulnerable in the war between the good and evil. With the Angel Michael's sword, Clary now knows that the one person she loves the most in the world, is the one person she must now find and destroy.

CITY OF LOST SOULS is a fast paced storyline that brings many closer together and tears some further apart. Betrayal by her brother is nothing knew, but to know he is truly evil will send Clary spiraling further into a world of hatred and revenge. A fragile love will be splintered, forcing a decision that will bring you to tears, but perhaps it is the actions of a 13year old girl who will give immortality a new name. And the love of a young woman for a Shadowhunter plagued by guilt and remorse will help break a blood connection so tight, that each other will feel the pain of a sword. City of Lost Souls is a wonderful addition to the Mortal Instrument series. Cassandra's style of anxious love and angst filled heartache was tempered by the action of the storyline and the necessity of building a story. I am looking forward to the final book City of Heavenly Fire-where I am hoping everyone gets a HEA.

see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com

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