City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments)

"He'd burn the whole world down till he could dig you out of the ashes. I know." - Alec The Mortal Instruments is one of Cassandra Clare's amazing series that never fail to catch the readers' hearts no matter how torturous the plot and the stories are. I know because I was one of those avid fans of the books who first grabbed a copy as soon as it was released, despite of the anticipated heartbreaks and possible huge cliffhanger ending that I will get. I've expected torture and of course, one of Cassie's trademark--huge cliffhanger ending that might result in an open-mouthed, face-shocked, head-banging, wall-thumping kind of moment. Something that will make you throw the book on the wall because of frustration, knowing that you will have to wait another long year to get the next book and see what will happen next to the characters you loved, hated, and rooted for. In short, I expected an extreme roller coaster ride. But I was surprised and relieved to find out that there was no super biggie cliffhanger ending. Cassie spare us from too much torture this time and I wasn't a bit disappointed at all. I absolutely loved this book. Excellent as always. Cassie's writing is beautiful and captivating. She wasn't afraid of turning her characters into something the readers wouldn't have expected. She always nailed it when it comes to her character's development, and I think she's one of the best author in the planet. You won't get all the things that you expected but so much more and you will never be disappointed. The world building is fascinating, the pacing of the story is just perfect, and the characters, well, awesome as ever! Of all the things I loved about City of Lost Souls, it's Jonathan. Jace. No matter what you call him, a Morgenstern, a Wayland, a Lightwood, he'll always be a Herondale. And yes, Herondales' are survivors. I can't think of any other character who is as tortured as him, ever. From one infliction to another, his soul is the most tortured one after his ancestor Will Herondale. His soul must really be pure to survive all the heartbreaks and chaos he's going through. I said it before in my review of Clockwork Prince, that Herondale boys are always the broken ones, when will they find happiness with their true love? Really, when? This is becoming too painful and heart-wrenching. Cassie, please make Jace happy so we could be happy too? Is it too much to ask? "I will have you know I practiced that speech. In front of a mirror before you got here." "So what do you think it meant?" "I'm not sure," Jace admitted, "but I know I look damn good delivering it." "I forgot how annoying the un-possesed you is," Clary muttered. Jace is probably different and I miss the old Jace, the real Jace is annoyingly funny, sarcastic but drool-worthy. But as long as there is Jace, there will always be enough swoon. You get to see more of Sebastian, err Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern. The real, bloody one. All along I feel like there must be something to save not only with Jace but with Sebastian too. I was hoping that somewhere, there is still goodness left on him and that in the end, he is still redeemable. Annoying and sarcastic, but as beautiful and as attractive as Jace, Sebastian is one remarkable character you can't help to love and hate at the same time. He's just an amazing character and I felt sorry for him for what he had become. Once again, Cassie embarked me to a mind-thrilling journey, that made me wondered and hoped for the best for all the characters in the story. A girl can always dream of a happy ending for all, right? But you have to read to find out. In one of the times Clary and Sebastian had been together, he asked her: "Do you think you can forgive me? I mean, do you think forgiveness is possible for someone like me?" "What do you think it would have been like if Valentine had brought you up along with me? Would you have loved me?" City of Lost Souls is one the books you must not miss. An absolutely electrifying read. Engaging in so many ways. With just the right amount of humor, you'll laugh. And you'll feel the characters and ache for them during some heart-breaking moments. You'll see and understand not just Sebastian but also a whole lot of characters you love in the previous books such as Maia, Jackson, Alec, Magnus, Isabelle, Simon, and Brother Zachariah (Yep, that's what I said). You'll have a better glimpse of their minds than in any other books before City of Lost Souls. And as a bonus, readers will get to see some of the most important characters in Cassie's next series, The Dark Artifices. Keep your eyes open :) In all these, I specifically appreciate the other side of Isabelle as she slowly open up to Simon. The side of Isabelle's personality that is only known by Jace and Alec. And who wouldn't love Simon? The ever loving, ever loyal friend of Clary who will do everything to help and save her, even Jace who had saved his life. I loved him even more in this book and he proved just how much a true friend he really is. I picked some of his beautiful lines from the book, and I can't help not to share them with you: "I know we're not much compared to you, but we don't kill our friends. We try to save them. If Heaven didn't want it that way, we ought to never have been given the ability to love." The story is darker, the characters are fiercer, the plot even more complicated--this book will give you one roller coaster ride kind of feeling. The ties that binds family, friendship, and love will be tested and they will have to decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to save the one they love. And I agree, this is less torturous than any of Cassie's other books. And most probably, there will be no I-want-to-throw-this-book-on-the-wall when you're done. So, go grab a copy, there's no reason to hesitate. You won't be disappointed. No man chooses evil because it is evil. He only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks. -Mary Wallstonecraft

SPOILERS BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW what a Rolla-coaster ride of craziness!! God I just love Cassandra Clare. This has to be my favorite series of all time and it just keeps getting better. I can't believe I have to wait another whole year for the 6 and final book in the Mortal Instruments series. The sexual tension in this book is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Ok so let's get down to business. I think I will start with Maia and Jordan. I love the way Cassandra has all the different side stories of the characters going on at the same time, but this was the cutest. With the help of their isolation from everyone else their relationship was able to grow into what they had before they were bitten and I wanted that from Jordan's arrival in the last book. Isabelle and Simon - these two just need to start dating and get on with their lives. I think this is the relationship that frustrates me the most. But I'm sure they will work it out in the end. Magnus and Alec - WOW who would have thought that's how that was going to work out. Love shockers like this. But I really do hope they work it out in the next book. Also I wait eagerly for the big revel of Magnus's father EKK. There was always going to be a lot of work involved for both parties in this relationship and they have a long way to go. Sebastian / Jonathan - This guy is way more messed up then I had ever imagined. But I love how we were able to get to know his messed up mind and how he thinks. What a wonderful villain. Luke and Jocelyn - I really hope these two get to settle down together soon. Such a cute couple that seemed to get the brunt of the early issues that arise. Jace and Clary - Well what can I say Clary is just the crazy I-love-Jace-and-will-do-anything-for-him girl that we love, of cores she dives head first into the dangerous and scary world of what is Sebastian. I think she got way more then she bargained for. I can't help but love her for it. Ahh and then there is Jace talk about multiple personalities this book is full of them between Sebastian and Jace. I can't help but feel such a loss for the Jace that we love and know in this book as he is not himself for most of the time. With those little snippets of the real Jace mixed in with the always charming yet dark person Sebastian controls has my heart aching through the whole book. The story plot was as always amazing with it taking sharp twists and turns that you would never even imagine would be coming. I am certainly Biased when it comes to Cassandra Clare's writing as she is my favorite Author but with that said this is sure to keep you hanging on through gritted teeth and jumping up and down because you just can't stand to go another year without the 6th and final installment of this truly astonishingly wonderful series.

This book ended up being better than the last one, City of Fallen Angels, (for me) however it still lacked a little of the luster that the first three had for me. There was very little action or rather fighting and very few demons. Although, I really liked the direction Cassandra Clare is taking with this series. The plot was a little slow and very little actually happened during the length of the book except a lot of information about Shadowhunters and Downworlders. Sebastian/ Johnathan's plot was interesting enough, but it still seemed like a direction Valentine would take then again he is Valentine's creation. I felt like Sebastian was sneering through it all (which I thought was perfect for him.) I think that the reason he seemed so pleasant was because one of his main objectives was to bring Clary to the "dark side" and it looks like what he says to her affects the way she thinks of herself, but she is too smart for him. The fact that he wants to take it a little "too far" could have something to do with her rejection of him and his plan (Way to go Clary! Although it would have been interesting if she had gone in that direction. (not with the gross stuff, but towards his plan)). Jace acted like a robot, doing only what Sebastian wanted, this was very frustrating, and I know that he can't help being this way, but I missed the old Jace, the one with a back bone, who wouldn't agree with Sebastian! However, I really enjoyed his commentary. The only thing that had any resemblance of him was his connection and love for Clary, super glad of that. There was that one brief moment where he was himself and was self-sacrificing (yay!). However, here is a thought if he finally figured out love made him stronger than why for these last two books has he been getting weaker? I hope that in the last book, we'll see a vengeful and butt-kicking Jace (crossing fingers!). Other than those few issues, I still really liked the book, the characters grew for me especially Magnus, Alec, and Isabelle. But more than that I love how they have such strong human emotions, Clary's mom, Jocelyn, is definitely a mom and is still trying to control Clary. Also, the comedic moments were great! There were also a few mysteries introduced that I cannot wait to find out the answers too. I really did enjoy this book, it was very hard for me to put it down. Definitely worth reading!

--- But there was something about the coldness at the back of this Jace’s eyes that shook her, something far off and unreachable that made it harder than ever to push away the question always at the back of her mind: Is any of the real Jace still in there? Is there anything left to save? --- Soo, Jace is gone and is being influenced by Sebastian and I am not okay 😭 Seeing Jace act all buddy-buddy with Sebastian hurt my soul so much! I missed Jace! 😭 And then seeing Jace be himself, but not really? Doubly hurt. Every time he says something quippy, he sounds like Jace and it makes me laugh. But then I remember that he's tied to Sebastian and he's not really himself and I just 😩 Stop making me laugh when I want to cry. --- “Clary?” Jace tilted his head to the side, studying her face. “You do—you still love me, don't you?” “I love Jace Lightwood,” she said. “I don’t know who you are.” --- As for Alec and Magnus, we saw them quite a bit in this book, since in the last one they were away on the vacation they went on in The Red Scrolls of Magic! They are so cute together and they are just my favorite! However, Alec is kinda freaking out when it comes to Magnus and his immortality and he himself being mortal... that I get. What I didn't get and found kind of annoying was that he was also freaking out about the number of lovers Magnus has had in the past. Like, it’s not his fault he’s lived for that long. And you couldn’t possibly expect him to be alone for hundreds of years. So what the heck! This was a weird turn on their relationship and I just really hope they figure things out because I really do love them together! And one character who finally got his shit together is Simon! Finally! And also good cause I love him and Izzy together. That time he told her a bedtime story and the bedtime story turned out to be Star Wars? Cutest thing ever! 🖤 And another couple that were also being super cute were Jordan (aka Kyle) and Maia! One interaction that I really enjoyed was a conversation between Isabelle and Jordan and Jordan telling her to go and tell Simon how she felt and just giving her advice. It was very unexpected but heartwarming, and that’s why I loved it! And the interaction between Simon and his sister... that broke my heart! I just adore the characters in this series... they’re all great! And yes, they do have their issues and they’re far from perfect, but that’s what makes them so interesting! And I of course love Clary as our main character. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little iffy on some of her decisions, but she’s really smart and can handle herself. Her fighting skills have improved and she is just awesome! All she needed was a little training. And I also just have to mention that apparently one of her favorite anime is Bleach... I LOVE Bleach!! She has good taste in anime. We should be friends 😉 Lol. So I obviously loved this book, even with the slowness in the middle. I love the characters and I just missed the hell out of Jace throughout this whole book. But that incredible fight in the end made it all worth it! I’m very interested to see how this will all end, because Sebastian has some awful things planned. I don’t think I’m ready for the end. It’s going to break my heart. I know it 😩

Haven’t read yet but can’t wait to start reading them all I got the whole series and I know it’s going to be better than the tv show and series.

My fiancée loves this series! Great price too!

Good read

Clary and Jace aren't exactly a normal couple. In fact, they have probably had the most traumatic and bizarre relationship as any couple in history. From assuming they were brother and sister, still being attracted to one another, being attacked, death, etc., they are a bizarre couple from the word go. And in The City of Lost Souls, the fifth book in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, their relationship doesn't get any easier. Clary thought it was over. Sebastian, her real brother (and also known as Jonathan Morgenstern), was defeated, Lilith was killed (or as killed as the oldest demon in history can be), and Jace was safe. She couldn't have been more wrong. When she returns to the roof, both Jace and Sebastian, who was supposed to be dead, are gone with no trace. They can't even be located magically. After an exhaustive search, the Clave can't afford to keep everyone looking for Jace. They are ready to close the search, but Clary refuses to give up. She will do anything to find him, even go to the Seelie queen. When she tries to steal the payment for the Queen from the Institute, she sees Jace, with Sebastian. As thick as thieves, the boys who were once mortal enemies seem to be the closest of friends. Clary had thought any manner of things could have happened to Jace, but she never imagined he would turn to the dark side. When Jace and Sebastian show up at Luke's apartment to get Clary to join them, it is clear to her that something had to have happened to Jace to change him. When they attack Luke and stab him with a demon metal knife, she knows she has to do something. But when it becomes clear that anything that happens to Sebastian also happens to Jace, their connection becomes even more frightening. One can't be killed without killing the other. Clary knows the Clave will consider Jace collateral damage in an effort to get rid of Sebastian, so she decides to do the only thing she can do- make them think she is going to join them in order to find a weakness in their connection. But what if there is no weakness? You know when you follow a TV show for a long time and you start to think about how many times the main couple has broken up and made up, or how many guys the main girl has dated, or how many times the main characters have almost died, and it seems laughable? Like when you think about how many kids died in Buffy the Vampire Slayer over her years at Sunnydale High, but no one ever thought it was fishy? That is starting to happen to this series for me. I mean, really, how many times can Clary and Jace be in mortal peril or have their relationship completely destroyed, only to pick up the pieces and start again? Now, I have to say, I enjoyed the story, as always. But I am starting to go weary of Clary and Jace. In fact, I wanted to skip through their half of the book, but I just couldn't do it for plot's sake. Instead, the true gems for me are in the supporting characters. The relationship between Alec and Magnus is simply fabulous (well, honestly, Magnus is simply fabulous and by influence, so is Alec!). I love having a serious gay couple in young adult literature where they aren't romanticized or too perfect, but rather experience the same insecurities any couple faces, gay or straight. This is a great for all young adults to have experience with. In addition, Simon and Isabelle are a great couple. As complete opposites both supernaturally and humanly, they are full of twists, turns, and surprises. I honestly felt these characters were more interesting than the same old Clary and Jace nonsense, and would have been happy to just have their stories in this book. But alas, there are bigger things at work, and we must have Clary and Jace together again for the big, final, epic battle that is surely to come in the final book of the series. (Wait. Didn't it end already?!)

Me lo recomendaron y me enganché. Amor, poderes sobrenaturales y mundos paralelos. Antes de acabar el primer libro, ya piensas en el segundo!

Llegó excelente. Muy bien empacado y sin ningún detalle en las orillas. En tiempo y forma

Il libro mi è piaciuto tantissimo e non ho avuto problemi a leggerlo nonostante sia in inglese

Cover Das Cover ist einfach nur göttlich. Es ist das beste der Mortal Instruments-Reihe bisher. Die Farbgebung ist wunderschön, auch wenn ich gedacht hätte, dass die Schrift am Buchrücken lila wäre und nicht rot ? (ich besitze die amerikanische gebundene Version) Und auch der Titel ist einfach unschlagbar. Es klingt so mystisch. Das Cover der deutsche Ausgabe ist noch nicht bekannt, da das Buch vermutlich erst 2013 erscheinen wird. Eigene Meinung Zwei Wörter,, die dieses Buch perfekt beschreiben : dramatisch und tragisch ! Ich habe nicht die geringste Ahnung, wie ich die 2 JAHRE aushalten soll, bis der letzte Teil kommt??? Das Ende hatte jetzt keinen Megacliffhänger, aber man möchte natürlich trotzdem unbedingt wissen wie es weitergeht und was alles noch geschehen wird! (Man hat zwar Clockwork Princess um sich die Zeit zu verkürzen, aber bis dahin dauert es auch noch ewig :/ ) Isabelle und Simon nähern sich langsam an und man sieht, wie Isabelle etwas von ihrer Mauer fallen lässt. Man merkt, dass sie wirklich Gefühle für ihn hat, jedoch kommt mir das von Simons Seite nich ganz so stark vor, aber sie sind definitiv vorhanden. Alec und Magnus haben das Sterblichkeitsproblem immer noch nicht gelöst und Camille ist dabei auch keine große Hilfe. Sie macht es eher schlimmer. Manchmal möchte ich ihr echt den Hals umdrehehn. Wie kann man nur so fies sein ??? Maia und Jordan ... nun dazu kann man nicht viel sagen, denn sonst würde man die Storyline der beiden verraten und diese hat sowieso schon nicht so die Megalänge und es war nicht sehr spannend oder überraschend. Trotzdem war es ganz nett von beiden zu lesen, aber sie werden niemals meine Lieblinge übertreffen (Alec, Magnus und Isabelle hehe XD) Also jetzt nichts weltbewegendes, aber trotzdem schön ^^ Clary macht sich mal wieder auf eine Mission ihren geliebten Jace zu retten. WAS AUCH SONST ? XD Aber es war schon beeindruckend von ihr, dass sie sich in diese Situation begeben hat, denn sie hatte ja keine Ahnung was sie erwartet. Und man hat auch mal eine ganz andere Seite von ihr gesehen. Das war insgesamt recht interessant. Was mich zu Sebastian bringt. Er ist irgendwie böse, aber ich finde irgendwie auch nicht. Okay er hat echt eine gestörte Einstellung zu Gut und Böse und was getan werden muss, damit die Welt die richtige Ordnung bekommt ... kennt man ja ne, aber sonst wäre er ja auch nicht der BÖSE !!! XD Es gibt auch ein paar Verweise auf die Infernal Devices Reihe und an diesen Stellen war es so ... tragisch? Ich hatte so ein Gefühl von Trauer, die plötzlich kommt, auch wenn nichts trauriges vorhanden war, nicht wirklich zumindest, aber ich glaube es kommt daher, dass mich das Ende von Clockwork Prince immmer noch nicht loslässt! Wo wir grad bei Ende sind - das Ende von CoLS war auch wieder super/traurig/einfach toll gemacht. Ich weiß nicht wie Cassandra Clare das immer schafft! Alles in Allem ein tolles Buch, hauptsächlich durch Verlust und Tragik geprägt, doch der wunderbare Sarkasmus der Charaktere ist glücklicherweise immer noch vorhanden. Das einzig Schlechte was man wohl bemängeln könnte ist, dass es das vorletze Buch der Reihe ist. Aber daran lässt sich ja leider nichts ändern und es gibt danach ja noch The Dark Artifices um sich zu trösten :)

A lot of series by the time they get to the 4 or 5th book get boring and dragged out leaving the reader to silently think "hurry up and end it". I am happy to say that Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series is not one of these. Without giving anything away to those who haven't read it yet, I have to say, it kept me consumed, reading late into the night. Highly recommendable to anyone who wants to be immersed in great series with clear defined characters, plots, twists. This author is one of the best of the young adult writers.