City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare - Restarting August 2nd 2024

[Jenn]

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

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.

[Ashley W]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ My favorite character (and species) has always been the Seelie Queen. I like figuring out what her words really mean. Jace seems like so much work and they never know what he is doing or even what side he is on. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ I like that each character has their own story. Right now I'm most invested in Isabelle. I thought she would always come off as aloof and kind of vain, but I really like how she has developed. The Jace/Sebastian plot is moving a little slowly for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ I am liking Jordan so far, though I was questionable at first because of his history with Mya. The idea of a date with Jace and Clary sounds so sweet, but right now, I think she is just putting herself in danger. Sebastian clearly doesn't trust her or seem to even want her around based on how he talks to her about their plans. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ While I may not be Jace's biggest fan, I really like the chemistry that he and Clary have. Of course, Venice is a city that can make anyone feel romantic. And mermaids! Why hasn't there been more mermaids??? Oh, and Magnus accusing Simon of eating his cat ahaha (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Starting now!

[Ashley W]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ I am surprised that Sebastian is working with demons at all. At least he didn't let it take her hair, whether for Jace's sake or because he might care about her. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[The first chapter was excessively info-dump-y, trying to give a quick recap of everything. I didn't like it.
Also what's with Clary being extremely annoying and whiny at the beginning of every single book and only redeeming a bit towards the end??

Honestly, considering how moody and angst-ridden Jace is, I would've just assumed he took away Sebastian's body to destroy it or something.

Also, if Alec is Jace's parabatai, shouldn't he have felt something when Jace actually died at the lake? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 1
The first chapter was excessively info-dump-y, trying to give a quick recap of everything. I didn't like it.
Also what's with Clary being extremely annoying and whiny at the beginning of ..."

(view spoiler)[ That's a good point. I didn't think about it, but Alec should have felt something, even if it was fast. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ This is dragging so much for me. It seems like it took forever to find out what Sebastian's plan was, which is pretty genius for him if it works. I feel bad for Simon and his mother, but it sounds like his sister might be easier about his being a vampire. Glad Luke is getting better. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ Pretty proud of Jace and Simon right now. If I were Jace, I wouldn't want to face the Clave. And Simon gave up his mark! There are a lot of people who would be interested in that. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ I really didn't think he would get as far as bringing Lilith back. And I can't believe that many Shadowhunters would follow him. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Clary took such a big risk stabbing Jace with the sword instead of Sebastian. It was great to see the werewolves working with them. Maybe the lives won't be so clearly defined anymore and they will work together better? Especially after so many Shadowhunters turned to follow Sebastian. I thought it was so weird that they would be so hateful to the werewolves but have no issue with Lilith. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 1
The first chapter was excessively info-dump-y, trying to give a quick recap of everything. I didn't like it.
Also what's with Clary being extremely annoying and whiny at the beginning of ..."

(view spoiler)[ Clary only ever seems to redeem herself briefly. By book 5, the main character should be more likeable. I get the feeling it’s gonna take me a little while to get into this book as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ I’m glad we’re getting more Maia and Jordan. They’re interesting characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes! They might be my favourite couple from this series. I really like the tension between them and the way they talk, it all seems very healthy.

For some reason, I don't find myself caring for the plot so far. Neither the main one with Sebastian and Jace, nor the sub-plots about Simon or Alec. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

Yes! They might be my favourite couple from this series. I really like the tension between them and the way they talk, it all seems very healthy.

For..."

(view spoiler)[ I’m probably most interested in Simon’s storyline but I’m also not that invested yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I am slowly getting invested.
I think it's just this dead-not-dead thing that's making it less interesting. it's getting repetitive.

The side characters are far more interesting this time as well. I would happily read just about Jordan and Maia and Simon.
Also, during that scene with Raphael, I realised the glow up Simon had had over the previous 4 books. He used to be terrified of Raphael and others. Now here he is, literally daring Raphael to try to hurt him. Even with the Mark of Cain, I'd say you still need that confidence.

Also, I guess we may get to see Tessa sometime in this book or the next one. I think she was kinda acknowledged in a previous chapter. So maybe she has a role soon. That'd be cool. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 7
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I’m also struggling with the Jace and Clary part of the plot. I like what’s happening with all the side characters but the Jace parts are slowing the book down. I think I’d be getting through the story a lot faster without them. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

I didn't get to read much in the past few days. I'm only halfway through chapter 7 so far.
Will try to catch up tomorrow.

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapter 7
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I agree. There's so much going on with the side characters, which is far more interesting than main plot. And all the little parts that we are getting with Jace and Clary aren't doing much for the plot anyway.
Also, with so much switching between different perspectives, it's kinda hard to stay invested. Half the time, I completely forget what's going on with some of the characters until I see them again. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ I don't know if it was just me, but the timing in the previous chapters felt so weird.
And all the jumping between characters is making me feel very disconnected. We aren't really getting to see the complete thing for any part.
It's like the author's moulding the timelines and only talking about characters' presence just as it seems convenient.

I wish we get to see more of Sebastian. He's the villain, the one causing all the conflict. But we aren't getting anything from him. He's made very few appearances, and even those were wasted in mostly unnecessary dialogue.

Also, Alec considering to make Magnus mortal, and to make it seem like a revenge from Camille (which would mean it'd be without Magnus's consent) is SO NOT OKAY!!
I really hope he hasn't accepted that offer!! (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know if it was just me, but the timing in the previous chapters felt so weird.
And all the jumping between characters is making me feel very disconnected. We aren't really gettin..."

(view spoiler)[ I agree about the disconnect. We’re a decent amount of the way through the book and it feels like nothings really happened because of all the perspectives we have to shift between.

I don’t like that Alec was considering making Magnus mortal. It just doesn’t seem like something he would do. He also needs to think about his relationship with Magnus and decide whether he can make it work or not. I’m getting bored of the whole Alec not trusting Magnus thing. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Chapter 9
I don't know if it was just me, but the timing in the previous chapters felt so..."

Yeah, I agree. (view spoiler)[I understand that he has his insecurities, but it would definitely be better if he just talked to Magnus about it, instead of meeting with Camille for "advice" (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[This is getting boring. Especially the Jace and Clary parts. It's the same thing over and over again. There are more descriptions of Jace than one will ever need in their life.
Even their relationship is pretty boring, there's nothing to it that makes you want to see them together. We get to see only two aspects of it- they "telling" us how much they love the other person and what they would sacrifice, or just them kissing whenever they are together.

And about Maureen. What even was that? The author completely took her out of the picture after that one scene in the previous book. She was never mentioned again. At first, i wasn't even sure if Simon just saw a glamour or if she really had turned into a vampire. And now she is back again out of nowhere...

Also, I think in the last few chapters, the main plot kinda got brushed under the rug. It was all very romance and relationship-centric.
I feel like if all i've read so far in this book was just cut out of the series, it would have made little difference. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I haven’t had much to say for the last few chapters apart from that I was bored but it feels like we could’ve hit a turning point in the story. We’re finally finding out something about Sebastian rather than him just being there. I think Sebastian’s plan will be revealed soon. It’s like we’re on track for the first time in the book.
This book could’ve been cut out though if they just told us Sebastian’s plan at the end of the last book. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Done
(view spoiler)[ Well, that was boring. It doesn’t feel like we’re any closer to an ending for this series than we were after the last book. This whole story seemed irrelevant and dragged out. The next book best be better than this. I don’t have high hopes though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Aaron wrote: "Done
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I feel the same. I kind of want to take a break from the series. I want to know how it ends, but if I try to read it now, I know it will take me forever. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Ashley wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Done
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I agree. I’ve not been reading anything apart from this and it’s taken me days to get through. I need to get back into reading with some good books before attempting the next. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Done! It's been a while since I read this much in a day, but I'm glad it's over.
(view spoiler)[
The last chapter (not the epilogue) was the best part of the book. But it still wasn't enough to make up for those 400 pages of nothing I had to trudge through to get there.
And that unnecessarily long and boring epilogue further took away any excitement from the war scene.
Everything at this point just feels like plot convenience. Like what's with the characters (especially Jace and Simon) never dying?
I don't think there was any point to this book. Nothing was accomplished. The little bits that did happen here and there could've easily been added to the 4th and the final books, without any need for a whole another sequel. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Let me know whenever you'd want to read the next one.

[Aaron]

Akshita wrote: "Let me know whenever you'd want to read the next one."

What about the start of April? Gives us a bit of time to get mentally prepared for the next one.

[Akshita]

Aaron wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Let me know whenever you'd want to read the next one."

What about the start of April? Gives us a bit of time to get mentally prepared for the next one."

Yeah. Sounds good, given that the next one is quite chunky, more than 700 pages... 😳

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting August 2nd 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Yolbooks]

I am starting today, but it will probably be slow progress.

[Ashley W]

Yolbooks wrote: "I am starting today, but it will probably be slow progress."
Same. I'll be reading it all month most likely.

[Ashley W]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ I knew Shadowhunters were harsh, but they just don't seem to care that Jace is missing at all. I get that it's a dangerous job and they go missing a lot, but he is also a special case and has abilities that the rest of them don't have. I would think he would be a higher priority. Also, finding him would lead them to Sebastian. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

I already finished it, but am feeling unwell, so updates will come later

[Ashley W]

You got through that so fast! But then I read so many books at a time, it takes me forever lol Hope you feel better soon!

[Kay-Mika]

Ashley W wrote: "Chapter 1
[spoilers removed]"

Since when has The Clave ever been smart?

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[Going to the Seelie Queen and asking her for help is such a stupid idea (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[Clary, Alec, Izzy and Simon sassing the Seelie Queen XD (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ What is that b*tch up to? and yes, I hate the Seelie Queen. She is more trouble then she is worth. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ Then you know more about your neighbors than I do about my. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ Is Jocelyn suffering from postpartum depression? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ "Is your inner vampire different from your outer vampire?
"Definitely. he wants to wear midriff-baring shirts and a fedora. I'm fighting it.
Clary smiled faintly."So your inner vampire is Magnus?"
🤣 (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[What are Sebastina and Jace doing at the institute? Let me guess, steeling for the Seelie Queen? (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ What book do they want? Who do they want to summon? And why? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ Camille's back. Which can't mean anything good. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ What is stopping Maja?
Her being a werewolf? That is a hindrance, not a reason.
That's like getting your period and decide "Nope, can't live my life the way I used to any longer."
It's ridiculous. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

and yes, sorry, but I'm not partaking in this month challenge, so no book updates for me, which means you get all my notes

[Yolbooks]

Kay-Mika wrote: "Ashley W wrote: "Chapter 1
[spoilers removed]"

Since when has The Clave ever been smart?"

I agree Kay-Mika