City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5) in Q&A with Cassandra Clare

Aug 14, 2012 RLC rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-paranormal-romance

4.5 stars

As I've stated before, I am an unabashed fan of this series and it's author. In fact, The Mortal Instruments series is my favorite series. I have been saving COLS for my vacation, so that I could read it at will and enjoy it to its fullest, and I did!

This book is not perfect. It started a little slow for me, but once it picked up about midway through, I could not put it down. This book encapsulated everything I love about this series. It brought the larger story (Clave & Downworlders v 4.5 stars

As I've stated before, I am an unabashed fan of this series and it's author. In fact, The Mortal Instruments series is my favorite series. I have been saving COLS for my vacation, so that I could read it at will and enjoy it to its fullest, and I did!

This book is not perfect. It started a little slow for me, but once it picked up about midway through, I could not put it down. This book encapsulated everything I love about this series. It brought the larger story (Clave & Downworlders versus Demons & their earthlybound facilitators) back to life with an amazing villain returning to wreak new havoc and set us up for a thrilling conclusion to the series! Even though we are left with several interesting cliffhangers (including missing bad guys, an impending war, questionable loyalties, broken relationships, unimaginable angel & demon powers, etc.) that I am dying to be resolved, I still think the book ended in a fair way, leaving me temporarily content, but eager for the next edition.

In COLS, Jace and Clary are together again, showcasing the best parts of their relationship, and exchanging their best dialogue in a way that we haven't seen since City of Glass. The part with them in the Epilogue could possibly be my favorite Jace and Clary exchange ever and that's saying something, I promise, since I love so many of them. I loved (and hated - curse you CC) the developments with the relationship between Alec & Magnus, and Izzy & Simon as well. I thoroughly enjoyed their individual character development in this book, seeing more of their vulnerabilities, strengths, hopes, etc. I cannot wait to see where their stories go next. I also really enjoyed Jordan and Maia's parts as well. I did miss not seeing as much of Luke as we usually see, but all the other key players did get their fair share of page time. Fans of this series and individual characters will not be disappointed.

There is only one dig (aside from the initial pacing) that I feel I need to share. I love the character of Clary. She is loyal, smart, brave, creative, somewhat reckless, etc. However, I do have one big peeve with the way she is written. I get that Shadowhunters are warriors and get hurt a lot. However, the drama with which her physical and emotional pain is described is simply over the top for me. It is a huge peeve I have and I just needed to voice it - sorry CC. Ironically, Jace's wit and charm almost always offset it for me, so it all works out.

Another triumph in a great series! Highly recommend!

...more

Like · see review

Jan 20, 2011 Reeva rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!

Cassandra Clare is an amazing author. The world she has created is so life-like and entertaining. I love it. I love how original her world is. I love the characters. I love how into the story I get because her writing is so impressive. But...

I really wish she would have ended this series as a trilogy. I still love the books, but the same things just keep happening over and over. Clary and Jace, always something pulling them apart or getting in the way. There were a few surp ...more

Like · see review

May 21, 2011 Amy Halbern rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult

My Favorites so far are City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass and this one. I was not in love with City of Fallen Angels. It was a little bit of downer. I really liked this one and even can say loved this one. Towards the end it dragged a little but I loved the epilogue. I loved how in this book it reflected back on the previous books, especially City of Ashes. There was a lot of situations that were brought to life that needed to be brought to life. There were also a lot of bitter sweet m ...more

Like · see review

Aug 05, 2012 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Cassandra Clare has done it again!

Like · see review

Dec 12, 2011 Steph rated it it was amazing

I liked this book a lot better than the last one. It went more into detail with the characters and we saw the reasons behind their decisions more. I felt the character development was way better. I cannot wait for the next book.

Like · see review