City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

  City of Lost Souls is amazing. I read this book right after it came out in May. I reread it again recently and felt the need to spread the awesomeness that is Cassandra Clare. I love every word in the book. The book is well constructed and the plot is expertly weaved. There's action everywhere, along with tons of romance. And I mean a TON. The bad guys get badder, secrets surface, and there's something around every corner.

  Clary Fray is the main character. This book really shows just how far she'll go to protect the people she loves. She'll do everything from breaking laws to killing, if need be. She's very independent and strong-willed. If she sets her mind to something, there's no way to talk her out of it. And when she's in love, she loves with all heart. Then there's Jace. He's not as big in this book. Not as much is told from his point of view as usual. There's good reason for that too. But no matter how much or little there is of Jace in this book, his wit, humor, and good looks can always be counted on. There's the other characters as well. In the past couple of books the characters that were minor have become much more prominent. Everyone's tale is entwined.

  The plot in this book weaves and twists every which way. The end, never saw it coming. The Mortal Instruments is the main series of books, but there's a prequel as well. In this book more than others, the author will put hints and snippets from the other series. I squealed many times. All of that put together has made me decide to give this book five stars.

Synopsis:

  The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace freed from captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing, so is the boy she hates: her brother Sebastian, who is determined to bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

  The Clave's magic cannot locate either boy, but Jace can't stay away from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith's magic has wrought-Jace and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is determined to kill Sebastian, but there is no way to hard one boy without destroying the other.

  Only a few people believe that Jace can still be saved. Together, Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle bargain with the sinister Seelie Queen, contemplate deals with demons, and turn at last to the merciless, weapon-making Iron Sisters, who might be able to build a weapon that could sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. If the Iron Sisters can't help, their hope is to challenge Heaven and Hell-a risk that could claim their lives.

  And they must do it without Clary. For Clary is playing a dangerous game utterly alone. 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? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

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

Title: City of Lost Souls

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Series: The Mortal Instruments

Pages: 534