Blurb (from Goodreads): What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Rating:  (4/5)

Review:

“But it doesn’t change what we are to each other. It’s like there’s always been a piece of my soul missing, and it’s inside you, Clary. I know I told you once that wheter God exists or not, we’re on our own. But when I’m with you, I’m not.”

It’s official, I love Jace! He is just too sweet.

So, about this book. I loved it, really.
I liked the plot and the characters were as loveable as always. Jace and Clary are sweet as ever, and I love how they are fighting to stay together and for each other – it’s just delighting to read about (kind of old fashioned of me to use that word, huh?)
The book was a very fast read and just … awesome! (I feel like I have been waiting for this book for a thousand YEARS!)

However! There were a few things that bothered me a bit – and that’s why it “only” gets four stars.
Like I have said before, I DO NOT like it when the narrator changes too much throughout the book, and the narrator changes ALL THE TIME in this book. I think there were about 6 different narrators, and sometimes it only changed on one page, and then it changed back again, so I was left with a feeling of WHY? !!!
Another thing that bothered me a bit was that the book was clearly centered on Jace and Clary (and the other relationships as well), don’t get me wrong - I love Jace and Clary, and I love reading about them – but come on, is this book ONLY about them?
I think I prefer those kind of books where the romance is a secondary thing, and not the main thing in the book/story.

And the last thing: Clary is the main character right? She is supposed to be the one who acts! But she didn’t! Or well, she does in the end, but no, not really!

But these things are minor things, overall I LOVED this book, and it really SUCKS that I have to wait, what, almost TWO YEARS for the next book, are you kidding me?

My favourite mystery of 2012: The Invisible Ones, by Stef Penney

Investigator Ray Lovell is hired to find missing Romany wife Rose Janko – 7 years after her disappearance. What makes it so good?  You feel like you’re getting an insider’s look into a notoriously private culture.

My favourite comedy of 2012: Hope: A Tragedy, by Shalom Auslander

Laugh out loud funny account of a Jewish-American man who finds Anne Frank alive in his attic. What makes it so good? Absurd humour and lots of it.

My favourite thriller of 2012: Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

A wife goes missing on her 5^th anniversary.  Is her husband to blame? What makes it so good?  The plot is so twisted with characters so engagingly evil that it’s impossible to put this book down. 

My favourite series starter of 2012: Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo

Orphan Alina is taken under the wing of Gravka’s second-in-charge, the Darkling, when it’s revealed that she has an unusual power. What makes it so good? The entwining of dark fantasy with Slavic myths.

The series I couldn’t stop reading in 2012: The Mortal Instruments, City of Lost Souls (Book #5) by Cassandra Clare**

Magic binds Clary’s true love and evil brother together in such a way that you can’t kill one without killing the other. What makes it so good?  Demonhunters in love and difficult moral choices.

Best revamping of a classic:  The Innocents, by Francesca Segal

Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence recast in a tightknit Jewish community in modern day London. What makes it so good? It’s a beautifully written examination of the line between comfort and claustrophobia.

My favourite quirky read of 2012: A Working Theory of Love, by Scott Hutchins**

A recently divorced man falls into a relationship with a girl who’s in a kind of sex cult while working for an IT company aiming to use his dead father’s journals to create a sentient computer. What makes it good?  The father-son relationship between Neill and the computer program based on his dad is bang-on.  A deft balance of humour and heart.

My favourite literary fiction of 2012: The Street Sweeper, by Elliot Perlman

The Street Sweeper tells the story of the intersection between two lives:  that of an ex-convict who befriends a Holocaust survivor and that of a failing academic who stumbles upon a new calling. What makes it so good?  It’s a wonderfully plotted book, with memorable writing.  Devastating and hopeful, without being too Hollywood.  I loved it.

My favourite short story collection of 2012: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, by Philip Pullman*

Classic tales crisply retold. What makes it so good?  Among other things, the endnotes to each story give a brief history of each tale, which adds depth.

Book that lived up to the hype best: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed

A twenty-six year old divorcee candidly describes her experience hiking in the wilderness on her own. What makes it so good?  Strayed is so broken and imperfect, yet so relatable, that you can’t help but go on the journey with her.

My favourite non-fiction of 2012: The Holy or the Broken, by Alan Light*

A history of Hallelujah – one of Leonard Cohen’s most enduring songs. What makes it so good?  The exuberant detail.  I had no idea that Lemony Snicket played “Hallelujah” on the accordion at Neil Gaiman’s wedding in Michael Chabon’s apartment.  Now I know.

My favourite book of 2012: The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

Teens Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer kid support group. What makes it so good?  “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” — from The Fault in Our Stars

Stay tuned for Heidi’s Best Books of 2012 post tomorrow! What were your favourite books? Tell us in the comments.

*NetGalley was kind enough to provide Heidi and/or Patricia with copies of these books. (NW; The Holy or The Broken;  Fairy Tales from The Brothers Grimm)

**Good Reads First Reads provided Patricia with promotional copies of these books. (A Working Theory of Love; The City of Lost Souls)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Okay, just fyi – TEN IS REALLY HARD. So don’t take this as the only top books I read. But this is what I could cull it to. And this is in no particular order.

1. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Okay, you guys all know how much I love this books and Courtney herself. I believe I used the phrase “rapid machine gun of awesomeness” to describe this book in my review.

2. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

There are far too many CAPS in my review of this book. I mean, really. But I went so gaga for it I themed my prom dress around it. Okay, so that wasn’t originally intentional but it soon became that way.

3. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Not going to lie: this was the first Julie Kagawa book I ever read. I’ve now caught the Julie Kagawa bug and want to read everything from her books to her shopping lists. See my review here.

4. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Historical fiction. Assassin nuns. Fly to the bookstores right now. If assassin nuns doesn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will. It certainly did for me!

5. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This historical fiction piece on World War II made me cry. And I never, ever, should have liked this book because it’s written with a few of my pet peeves. But it’s one of the best things ever, and here’s why.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

It’s Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Do I have to explain it to you? (If so, read my review!)

7. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Okay, okay, I’m still not a fan of continuing the series after what I thought was the perfect ending. But if there was a way to continue the series, this is it – here’s why.

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

High fantasy for young adults. They said it was impossible, but Maas did it. ALL OF THE LOVE. Another review with too much excitement.

9. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

It’s Richelle Mead and Adrian. I love Adrian. I love him so much I might almost love him more than Dimi– oh dear, I feel the fan girls descending. Go read my review for more!

10. What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang

The main character is two girls in one body. That is all. For more, read my review.

Non-Sequel Novels:
1. “Someone who thinks death is the scariest thing doesn’t know a thing about life.” 
- Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

2. “We accept the love we think we deserve.”
- Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

3. “Most people lose the ability to see silver linings even though they are always there above us almost everyday.”
- Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook

4. “Scared isn’t an excuse. Scared is the excuse everyone has used.”
- John Green, Looking For Alaska

5. “You say you’re not special because the world doesn’t know about you, but that’s an insult to me. I know about you.”
- John Green, The Fault In Our Stars

Sequels, Trilogies & Series:
1. “You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.”
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay)

2. “I like the night. Without the dark, we’d never see the stars.”
Stephenie Meyer, The Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse & Breaking Dawn)

3. “Declarations of love amuse me. Especially when unrequited.”
Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls & City of Heavenly Fire)

4. “Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.”
Ally Condie, The Matched Trilogy (Matched, Crossed & Reached)

5. “Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”
Veronica Roth, The Divergent Trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent & Untitled)

6. “And if I have to die trying, I will get out of here.”
Lauren DeStefano, The Chemical Garden Trilogy (Wither, Fever & Sever)

7. “Keep in mind that people change but the past doesn’t.”
Becca Fitzpatrick, The Hush, Hush Saga (Hush, Hush, Crescendo, Silence & Finale)

8. “Every man would fall in love with their voice, their lovely appearance, but no man would ever get past that. They’d never really know the girls for who they actually were, never really love them. It would be impossible for any of the four girls to ever really fall in love and be genuinely loved in return.”
Amanda Hocking, Watersong Series (Wake, Lullaby, Tidal, Elegy)

9. “Sometimes death is really just a metaphor for rebirth. Allowing the old version of one to slip away so that a newer, better, stronger version can stand in it’s place.”
Alyson Noel, The Soul Seekers (Fated, Echo, Mystic & Horizon)

Current Books Waiting on my Book Shelf to be Read:
1. John Green, An Abundance of Katherines
2. Cassandra Clare, The Infernal Devices (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince & Clockwork Princess)
3. James Dashner, The Maze Runner Series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials & The Death Cure) (The Kill Order)

Transcript

Hey everyone this is Meghan from Coffee & Wizards. Today I’m here to talk about this book: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. It is the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series.

One thing I do really like about this book and this series is that I find the characters to be fairly memorable. Usually I forget about characters and their names, like, directly after I finish reading the book. But for characters like Jace and Isabel, I tend to remember their names, and I feel like they’re written well enough that I can distinguish them from each other. Now when you start comparing the Mortal Instruments to the Infernal Devices, you can definitely see the parallels when it comes to the characters (Jace vs. Will). There’s some similarities in the set up, which is fine. Cassandra Clare has found the formula for a popular series, and she’s sticking with it. When something’s not broke, why fix it.

I do really enjoy her male characters, in particular. I didn’t enjoy Jace so much in this book. I wanted to. Her female characters are kind of empty a little bit. Clary actually said some things near the end of this book that I was like “You go girl!” So that was nice and unexpected. Four and a half books too late, but gold star for trying.

One thing I really, really loved about this book was the little references to the Infernal Devices. The Angel, Clockwork Angel is in one of the books cases, and there’s some references to Will Herondale, who I love. Magnus makes a nice little comment about what happens to…parabetti? when the other one dies, and I was like “Oh Cassandra Clare, I see what you’re doing there!” And it also made me really sad.

I definitely think I can see some growth in Cassandra Clare’s writing. Her plotting was a little better. She couldn’t quite break away from some of the things… Why is there still incest things happening? Oh, incest.

One thing that super made me happy, though, in the last book there’s a character introduced: Maureen, who I’m pretty sure is based off of Maureen Johnson. And she’s also in City of Lost Souls, and she’s just the greatest. She’s in there super, super briefly, but after meeting Maureen Johnson, as much as this Maureen is like a crazy vampire, I can see the parallels.

So thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this video blog for some reason, subscribe. If you’ve read Cassandra Clare’s books, I would love to hear what you thought about them, and we can, we can talk about them. Let me know what you like or don’t like about them. All my contact info will be down below. And until next time. Thanks. Bye.

Did I miss your review? Link me and I’ll add yours! Add me on goodreads (be sure to let me know in the comments that you’ve added me) to have your reviews linked automatically.

Was anyone else scared for Alec in this part of the book?

  From ~isrslyhavenoidea ‘s deviantART

Magnus and Alec in a pivotal moment from City of Lost Souls

You can blame Richoll for any tears you should looking at this image.

City of Lost Souls begins to feel like season four of a TV series: the original plotlines have played out, there are numerous new characters, and certain storylines are beginning to feel redundant (another book in which Clary and Jace can’t be together? Really?). And from Clare’s writing structure, you would think she was writing a TV series. She jumps from story to story after a brief scene with each character, slowly advancing the plot. All the jumping causes the reader to feel discombobulated; you barely have time to realize which story you’re reading before she jumps back to someone else. It’s a distracting contrivance that she fortunately tones down in the final third of the book (although the contrivance is used successfully in the climactic battle scene).

Structural issues aside, Lost Souls fulfills the needs required of all middle books in a trilogy: it sets up the story for the final installment. We learn what Sebastian’s evil plan is, a vampiric threat looms in the background, and the characters are reaching important moments in their own lives. Soon they’ll have to make serious decisions that will impact their futures. The novel is also full of Easter eggs for Clare’s prequel series The Infernal Devices, which has some of the same characters (since they’re immortal).

City of Lost Souls may not be the best book in the series, but it will definitely leave you yearning for the final chapter in this series (which is due out next spring). And that’s really all we can ask of it.

Related articles

• If this novel piques your interest in angels, then check out Immortal City.
• Three Mini-Reviews from the read-a-thon! (caitieflum.wordpress.com)
• Book Review: City of Lost Souls (thedarkglobe.wordpress.com)

IT’S THE FINAL COUNT DOWN!!! (Yes I know the song is now stuck in your head.

1. Blog at least twice a week (unless I’m out of town).

2. Sight see in Chicago. – This will be my 3rd year going and I am yet to see it.

3. Release a Tracking Bug in a Geocache in Chicago.

4. Finish reading City of Lost Souls. – I can’t believe I haven’t yet.

5. Read Sapphire Blue.

8. Walk in 5k.

9. Make a chainmaille mask.

13. Make a physical catalog of my stuff for sale.

So, what is your 13 by 2013? I’d like to know what others have in mind! Be sure to check back and see what I’ve accomplished and what not and I hope to get it all done by 2013! Thanks for stopping by!

(Edit: the things I have in italics I missed my chances on. Bummer.)