Latest Read: City of Lost Souls

Here are the basics ...
Book: City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) 
Author: Cassandra Clare
Website: http://www.cassandraclare.com/
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy


[Note: If you haven't read the previous books, you might not want to read this review yet!]

My thoughts ...
Short summary:  The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.  Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation.   (Source: GoodReads.com) 

The good:  I love this series and Jace and Clary are two of my favorite fictional characters (ever).  So reading about them is like visiting old friends.  Clary is still her usual feisty, stubborn, leap before thinking self.  Jace spends most of the book possessed (although even possessed-Jace is snarky and playfully arrogant) but during his rare lucid moments, his tenderness and love for Clary still makes me swoon (I'm such a girl).  Also, even though these two are at the center of the story, I felt like we got to know the other characters more too - Isabelle, Simon, Alec and Magnus.  I loved how the four of them formed this little Scooby gang and fought together for their friends (and their world).  With every book, more obstacles are thrown in their way and a war is clearly coming between the Shadowhunters and whatever hell Sebastian is trying to raise. As always, it's interesting the way the author merges angels, demons, nephilim, warlocks and werewolves into one book (yes, this series has everything!) and makes it work.    

The bad:  This series was originally meant to be three books and when I read the "new" ones, I can't help but think that maybe the third book should have been the last.  The characters and mythology are still great but the plot isn't as fast-paced and focused as the previous books. I think part of the problem is that I keep comparing the two sets.  Even though they're one series, there's a clear divide in my opinion.  Other things I didn't like: too many scenes with minor characters that I didn't care about and Clary was starting to describing Jace's good looks in detail a little too much (so unnecessary). 

Do I recommend?:  The series as a whole is still one of my faves and it's one that I always recommend to readers who like YA fantasy.  Despite the things I didn't like, Cassandra Clare's writing is still addicting to me and I can't wait for the last book (as long as Jace and Clary get a happy ending, of course!).   

Happy reading!