City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Walker Books

Pages: 496pgs

The Story

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.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away - not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith's dying magic has wrought - Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he feared: a true servant of Valentine's evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

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 Shadowhunter's future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell - a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace's soul. She's willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhutners in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

The Review

Having been extremely disappointed in Cassandra Clare's previous novel, City of Fallen Angels, you would know from my review that the events not to mention the characters were crazy and ridiculous. In other words I was less than thrilled to read her fifth installment of The Mortal Instruments series, however as I read more raving book reviews, saw the gorgeous cover in person and flew right through the pages of this continuation of one of my favourite YA fantasy series, even to my surprise I found this novel not only proved how much of a better writer Clare has become but it also placed a little bit more faith into myself when it comes to this series alone because CITY OF LOST SOULS was such a vast improvement which made me very, very thankful for! Phew!

I won't get into any major details regarding the plot because it's . . . well . . . rather too hard to explain to you, especially to the new readers and since I don't want to spoil things. But everything that had happened in the actual novel was awesome and equally as thrilling in every possible way, so I had no problems in that department. So instead of boring you with small little details, I'll just get straight down to the point of the characters themselves.

Firstly there's Jace and like always he isn't quite himself in this new installment, but that comes as no huge surprise to me since he's a very complexed character which I'm sure many of you are already aware of by now. While there are plenty of Jace fans out there and while I do have some respect for his character and sympathize with everything he's been through, but quite frankly I don't care about Jace at all now. At least not like I used to. I mean, of course I love him to bits because he's damn right hilarious and a little bit of a romantic at heart - not to mention a fiery little fighter - but I'm quite tired of his character and his personal "issues". Really tired in fact. Now along with Jace, there comes our central and sometimes misjudged character, Clary Fray, whom personally for me is an up and down character for most people, and let's just say she isn't a favourite character of mine either in all honesty. After all, time and time again, Clary has made many stupid decisions throughout this series and I never had any real respect for her, only, to my surprise, something changed in this book for her character. For once, I gradually came to like her (I know what the hell?!) because her decisions were right instead of always wrong, but just when I liked her, towards the end she only proved me right again when she made another stupid decision after another . . . but then she made another right decision . . . so again, she's an up and down character that you'll either love or hate her for. But the point is . . . while she still remains a non-favourite character of mine, but I have a lot more respect for her, at least more than I ever used to have which is good since she's come so far in this series!

With the two main characters out of the way, what I love most about Cassandra Clare's book's and her writing is her supporting cast aand the variety they always seem to come in. Simon . . . Isabelle . . . Alec . . . Magnus . . . Maia . . . Luke . . . Jocelyn . . . heck even Sebastian were fantastic as always and they were the main reason why I loved this book so, so much more than the previous installments. I mean, despite the complications in this series (trust me there's plenty of them in this particular book with all emotions running high) but what never fails to change is the larger role the supporting characters seem to play and the fun factor they forever bring to each and every single book in this series. For once, as far as I can see, the supporting cast isn't faded into the background . . . they actually DO something to keep the action flowing rather than SIT back and wait for Hell to freeze over. Take for example in CITY OF LOST SOULS, the supporting cast seemed to have taken the lead in the storyline and were productive in finding ways to save our Jace and Clary from Sebastian's evil plans, and clearly the spotlight was totally stolen by Simon and Sebastian - and my Team Malec of course - which was a great turn especially at this point of the series because their characters developed into something much more than I originally hoped for, so thanks again Cassandra Clare for writing these delightful supporting cast of characters and allowing them to grow into fine, fine characters at that!

Now before I end this book review, I won't even mention a single word about my Malec since I'll probably burst into tears over them but moving on . . . as for those people whom hated with absolute passion over Sebastian's character, the one we first met in the third book City of Glass and made the whole Jace/Clary relationship go out of whack, I think everyone will soon change their opinions about him. At least a little while. I mean, for sure, Sebastian (or rather Jonathan) is still the same old ruthless-demon-spawn-of-a-young-boy who will always have tricks up his sleeves when it comes to Jace and his sister Clary, but I'm one of those few whom absolutely love him and appreciate him as a character. I know . . . I know . . . you probably think I'm crazy for saying this right now but I've always loved Sebastian. Always! He's the total package in a villain. He's mysterious, he makes you sympathic towards him at certain times, he makes you question his loyalities and his motives, he makes you laugh, he makes you forever on edge when he appears . . . honestly what's not to love about him? And trust me here folks . . . he rocks in this book because you know he's bad but you are always captivated by him and wanting to know what he will do next. I just love him, okay? He's a total evil-doer!

Overall, there's so much to say about CITY OF LOST SOULS and yet so little space to express all of my feelings and emotions that are currently running through my mind right now. But with every character, every scene and every action leaving you on the edge of your seat to a point of no return, not to mention beautiful little references to Clare's Infernal Devices series (I mean you are so killing me here with mentionings of Will and the Clockwork Angel necklace), this fifth installment of The Mortal Instruments series was a true delight to read and it was a fine book to prepare me for the last book in this series, Heavenly Fire, which is coming out in a few years time. Man oh man how will I cope until then, huh? I mean, c'mon what's going to happen to my MALEC!!!!!!!!!! *infinite cries* That's for another time folks . . . !!!

The Rating 4 1/2 / 5 stars

City of Lost Souls Cover Reveal!

I wasn't going to put this cover up, but I thought what the hell. So what do you guys think? I absolutely love it! While I still think Clary's model is a bit too tall to the Clary I imagined in my head but whatever . . . it's the best cover of all The Mortal Instruments books and not to mention really beautiful!

Also if you haven't seen the USA Today Online article early this morning (yes I waited), which was the original site who posted this awesome cover, they also included an exclusive lovely-but-very-concerning prologue from the City of Lost Souls book. How cool is that? You can read the prologue by clicking the link here.

So what are your thoughts on the cover & prologue?

Aren't they both a killer?

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Release Day: 5th April, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Pages: 424pgs

The Story

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone's killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leavings tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary's plan to lead a normal life as she can - training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. But as Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them - consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon - the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side - can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher then ever in City of Fallen Angels.

The Review

Far out, I honestly don't know what to say about this book! From Cassandra Clare's previous Mortal Instruments installments, her writing lured me into this amazing world of hers and from her world building to her very addictive characters that we all love - the good and the bad - I love everything she has too offer to us readers. While I still remain true and loyal TMI fan, and while I was very excited to hear she'll be writing another three books to the Mortal Instruments series . . . I however, found myself a little disappointed with this fourth book.

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS was utterly darker - which I loved since I'm weird like that - but what I loved the most was that we got to see more of Simon! Hooray! I mean, let's face it: he's my favourite boy character, well, apart from the utterly hilarious Magnus and Alec. Apart from that, I found the characters have changed in this book - more so, Jace, and because of this brooding-complicated-stubborn-a-little-bit-typical-and-boring-old Jace, there is a reason why I'm a Simon fangirl! He has life in him and he's the DEAD one! At the end of City of Glass, I wanted the Jace and Clary relationship to go much deeper (it has at times), but instead, it turned around into something that made your head spin around and around until you wanted to sink down and die. I know I'm a bit dramatic there . . . but DAMN IT! If you think CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS is going to give you happy, romantic scenes . . . think again!

I admit, there were major letdowns in this book - 1) Jace is still wanting Clary but is holding back and I guess for a good-but-stupid reason, 2) because I expected major action but I got predictable action that I could see a mile away (for those who've read it, you know what I'm talking about), 3) there were hot makeout scenes that I found pointless, and 4) Well, I haven't got anymore reasons but I think Jace should just DIE and I know that's mean . . . but really? I love him to bits, don't get me wrong, but he's worse than Edward. Even though it seems Simon loves another (I won't say whom exactly), but I still think him and Clary should've got back together . . . they mesh well together. Jace is just . . . well, an eye-roll boring. If I hear him mutter something that resembles, "I love you but I don't deserve you cause I'm Mr. boy-who-was-brought-up-by-an-evil-mastermind" I will scream!

Okay, despite my blabbing, let's talk about what I did love! SIMON! KYLE! MAGNUS! ALEC! CLOCKWORK ANGEL references! As I mentioned above, I love Simon to bits and for those who were all Jace fans . . . I can definitely tell you that you'll love Simon more than him! We get to see his vampire transition in the installment and I was thankful for seeing into his life, rather than focusing on the whole Jace-Clary scenario. TEAM SIMON for life, I say! His character has developed a lot more and we really DO get to see what a loyal friend he IS! As for Kyle, I already knew who he was when I first met him! I won't say anything more about Kyle, for those who haven't read the book, but I loved him to bits too! Despite his dark past (you guys will know about this once you read it) he is truly a super-dooper nice character!

Now, onto my favourite couple of TMI series . . . Magnus and Alec! Words can't describe how much I love these guys! I was a tad bit disappointed that they didn't get much of a role in CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS but their little fights over Magnus being immortal and how Alec is just a 'toy' to him . . . it was just do adorable! I think the reason why I gave this book four stars is because of them, because despite the dark cloud that lies on top of the other characters, these two characters came through with a bucket of sunshine! They lightened the mood! Lastly, I was so excited when I read some CLOCKWORK ANGEL mentionings . . . ones that referred to Will and then . . . there's was that cameo appearance from the CA vampire, Camille. That was pretty cool.

Needless to say, even if I found CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS too predictable, I did enjoy reading the book and its twists-and-turns along the way! It was a hard one to put down and it was a great addition to the Mortal Instruments series, though I hope the next installment has more surprises for me, which I know will happen considering the cliffhanger than made you wanna hit someone! Well, not literally of course! That would be rude and stupid. Anyway, CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS is definitely a book you should pick up, but be warned: there's no sparkles and rainbows waiting for you there!

The Rating

4/5 stars