CITY OF LOST SOULS by Cassandra Clare

CITY OF LOST SOULS (Mortal Instruments #5 YA) by Cassandra Clare

CITY OF LOST SOULS is the latest release (May 2012) from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. In their continuing war against the demons and Jonathan Morgenstern, Clary and the Shadowhunters must now face a new enemy that was once a respected member of their own. With Jace missing and presumably under the control of Sebastian (aka Jonathan), Clary’s decision to go against orders will once again risk the lives of everyone she knows and loves.

Several weeks after the disappearance of Jace and Sebastian, Clary is frustrated when the Clave no longer place priority on Jace’s recovery. When the Clave clear Clary of any wrongdoing or involvement in the missing duo’s whereabouts, Clary decides it is time to cash in on the Seelie Queen’s promise. Knowing that this is probably one of the biggest mistakes of her life, Clary is once again thrown into a world of misconceptions and double talk. But it is a stunned Clary who will find both Jace and Sebastian trolling the halls of the Institute looking for a secret to uncover an ancient power.

Luke and his pack of werewolves, as well as  Isabelle, Simon, Alex and Magnus will have their hands full protecting the Shadowhunters and the others from Sebastian’s cruel and evil adventures. But when a severely injured Luke lay dying from his wounds, it is Clary who will make the decision, to disobey the orders in search of the young man she once knew. With the help of Magnus Bane, Clary is propelled into an ever-changing dimension on the other side of the world.

Alec’s relationship with Magnus begins to unravel as his jealousy and mortality shriek their reality with every passing day. But making a deal with Camille who is less than trustworthy will cause Alec more pain than he ever thought possible. Almost losing Magnus to the thrust of a blade will pale in comparison to losing the one person who has loved him unconditionally.

Jordan’s return into Maia’s life will push the couple closer, but his connection with the Praetor alliance will put them at risk. And now that the wolves have been brought in to hunt a rogue vampire on the lose Jordan will lose a friend before everything is over.

Simon’s relationship with Isabelle is fraught with the usual teenage misgivings. Simon’s feelings for Clary overshadow his growing desire for Isabelle, and although neither is willing to admit to their mutual attraction, it is Simon who is afraid to make the first move when it concerns his relationship with Izzy. Meanwhile it is the loss of his mother’s love that will push Simon further away from his family, until his sister Rebecca demands to know what it is that has caused the insane reaction of his mother.

With the revelation of Sebastian’s true intentions, Clary knows she must risk her life to save Jace. But it is Simon who must face the wrath of the Angels in order to separate the connection between Jace and Sebastian. With only the Mark of Cain to offer as payment, Simon will learn what it is to be suddenly vulnerable in the war between good and evil. With the Angel Michael’s sword, Clary now knows that the one person she loves the most in the world, is the one person she must now find and destroy.

CITY OF LOST SOULS is a fast paced storyline that brings many closer together and tears some further apart. Betrayal by her brother is nothing knew, but to know he is truly evil will send Clary spiraling further into a world of hatred and revenge. A fragile love will be splintered, forcing a decision that will bring you to tears, but perhaps it is the actions of a 13year old girl who will give immortality a new name. And the love of a young woman for a Shadowhunter plagued by guilt and remorse will help break a blood connection so tight, that each other will feel the pain of a sword. City of Lost Souls is a wonderful addition to the Mortal Instrument series. Cassandra’s style of anxious love and angst filled heartache was tempered by the action of the storyline and the necessity of building a story. I am looking forward to the final book City of Heavenly Fire-where I am hoping everyone gets a HEA.

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THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS reading order
1. City of Bones
2. City of Ashes
3. City of Glass
4. City of Fallen Angels
5. City of Lost Souls
6. City of Heavenly Fire (2013)

reviewed by Sandy