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jkaczmarek's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kimpunk4ever's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
relaxing
4.75
wandaka's review against another edition
3.0
This was quite slow in the beginning but I did enjoy it towards the end.
whendevreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book, in my opinion, is the most balls to the wall crazy of them all. I was trying to explain the plot line of this book to my friend & saying it out loud had me feeling a bit crazy myself.
That doesn’t mean the book is bad… I enjoyed reading it. It’s just that SO much happens in this book, and we don’t entirely get a resolution. As well, this book is very slow. This book took me the longest to read of the series so far because of how slow it is. I knew it would get good, I vaguely remembered a plot line from when I read it years ago. But waiting for it to get good was a struggle. In my opinion, all of the plot lines with the side characters could’ve been an entirely different book. The Sebastian/Jace/Clary story was enough on its own, and then you also had the Jordan/Maia plot line and some Magnus/Alec and Simon/Isabelle thrown in there as well.
This book would’ve benefitted heavily from some condensing. While I love the side characters, Jace and Clary are still the main characters of this series. Their story takes precedence over the others.
That doesn’t mean the book is bad… I enjoyed reading it. It’s just that SO much happens in this book, and we don’t entirely get a resolution. As well, this book is very slow. This book took me the longest to read of the series so far because of how slow it is. I knew it would get good, I vaguely remembered a plot line from when I read it years ago. But waiting for it to get good was a struggle. In my opinion, all of the plot lines with the side characters could’ve been an entirely different book. The Sebastian/Jace/Clary story was enough on its own, and then you also had the Jordan/Maia plot line and some Magnus/Alec and Simon/Isabelle thrown in there as well.
This book would’ve benefitted heavily from some condensing. While I love the side characters, Jace and Clary are still the main characters of this series. Their story takes precedence over the others.
cobycoyle's review against another edition
2.0
Just when I thought we got away from incest, here comes Sebastian. Wtf. Completely unnecessary, the story would have been the same, if not better, without it. I was uncomfy.
Also, while I know Cassandra Clare’s background and the whole Harry Potter fanfic thing, I was forgiving of the similarities between Harry Potter and Mortal Instruments….until this book.
“Neither can live while the other survives.” Sound familiar? The plot for this book basically right?
Nope that’s a HP quote, tricked you.
Michael’s sword….Horcruxes…meh same difference right?
And now Jace is dangerous to touch now, no sex for them. Remind you of a different story as well? No? Let me remind you our friend Edward said he was too strong for Bella and didn’t want to hurt her…not like I particularly care or want to read about two teens having sex but like. Come on.
Yet I feel the weird need to keep going anyway, sigh.
Also, while I know Cassandra Clare’s background and the whole Harry Potter fanfic thing, I was forgiving of the similarities between Harry Potter and Mortal Instruments….until this book.
“Neither can live while the other survives.” Sound familiar? The plot for this book basically right?
Nope that’s a HP quote, tricked you.
Michael’s sword….Horcruxes…meh same difference right?
And now Jace is dangerous to touch now, no sex for them. Remind you of a different story as well? No? Let me remind you our friend Edward said he was too strong for Bella and didn’t want to hurt her…not like I particularly care or want to read about two teens having sex but like. Come on.
Yet I feel the weird need to keep going anyway, sigh.
bekkibee22's review against another edition
5.0
Book 5 in The Mortal Instruments series and each book just keeps getting better, I'm really enjoying how the story is unfolding and getting more interesting with all the different plots and turns that come off the main plot.
The characters we are still getting to learn more and some of the smaller characters are coming out so we can get to know them and where they fit with the plot and other characters.
With how much that happened in this book, with all the different elements coming together I am looking forward to what book 6 brings with the war that is coming and how Clary, Jace and others all overcome and work together and what the final outcome will be with Jonathan/Sebastian and the shadowhunters and downworlders.
The characters we are still getting to learn more and some of the smaller characters are coming out so we can get to know them and where they fit with the plot and other characters.
With how much that happened in this book, with all the different elements coming together I am looking forward to what book 6 brings with the war that is coming and how Clary, Jace and others all overcome and work together and what the final outcome will be with Jonathan/Sebastian and the shadowhunters and downworlders.
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
4.0
Another much-awaited book in the Mortal Instruments series. I didn't like the previous one, City of Fallen Angels, too much; I thought it wasn't really "necessary", as the story wrapped up quite nicely in City of Glass. But then came the huge cliffhanger at the end of the fourth book, so I was eagerly awaiting the new adventures of Clary, Jace, and co.
City of Lost Souls starts two weeks after the events in the previous book. The Clave has been searching for Sebastian and Jace, with no results. Clary, Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus have been trying to track them too. But Jace can't stay away from Clary, and comes back to take her with him. Thus, Clary learns a shocking truth: Jace and Sebastian are now linked, and hurting one equals to hurting the other. Plus, Jace is not the same boy Clary fell in love with; his will and ideals submit to Sebastian's. Clary tries to discover Sebastian's evil masterplan, while the rest of the gang is looking for a way to sever the link between him and Jace.
I liked this book far more than City of Fallen Angels. It seemed way more interesting: the link between Jace and Sebastian, Valentine's apartment, the search for an angelic blade... I loved the travelling apartment. Think of the benefits: one day in Paris, two in Rome, one in London, three in Berlin... Ah, the wonder. Travelling without leaving your home. The stuff dreams are made of (well, I'm exaggerating, but still, I'd love it). I also liked that we learned a bit more about the Iron Sisters and got to see Jocelyn in action.
I liked it how Clary can't really bring herself to care for Sebastian, yet she isn't so sure he doesn't care for her. I had the distinct feeling Sebastian's feelings for Clary are more than slightly incestuous (gross), but still, he makes for a very interesting character. The relationship between Alec and Magnus is another interesting point. I was almost sure of how it would end, what with Alec plotting with Camille and everything. Seriously, Alec, can you be more stupid than that? But I'm also prety sure they will be together again by the end of the series. The name Camille taunts Magnus with - Will - made me extremely curious. Was Magnus in love with Will Herondale? I guess we'll only learn about it in Clockwork Princess. Which is still ten good months away. The suspense is killing me.
As for Simon, will he and Isabelle get together already? Also, I wonder what will happen to him now that (spoiler!) he doesn't have the Mark anymore. I guess Rafael will try to kill him. Not cool. I love Simon to pieces. And I very much need my own "Clearly, I've made some bad decisions" T-shirt!
I'd recommend this book to fans of the series. If you haven't started this series so far, what are you waiting for?
Cover attraction: beautiful. Probably the most beautiful cover in the series so far, and I believe it refers to something actually happening in the book (doesn't Clary wear a red dress at a certain point? Well, she does, but Jace was wearing the same colour then, so it's not really accurate.) I read it somewhere Clary will be on all the covers for the second part of the Mortal Instruments series. I guess the next cover will feature Clary and Sebastian. I also would've loved Jace and Sebastian together for this book or the next one. Too bad the publisher vetoed that.
City of Lost Souls starts two weeks after the events in the previous book. The Clave has been searching for Sebastian and Jace, with no results. Clary, Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus have been trying to track them too. But Jace can't stay away from Clary, and comes back to take her with him. Thus, Clary learns a shocking truth: Jace and Sebastian are now linked, and hurting one equals to hurting the other. Plus, Jace is not the same boy Clary fell in love with; his will and ideals submit to Sebastian's. Clary tries to discover Sebastian's evil masterplan, while the rest of the gang is looking for a way to sever the link between him and Jace.
I liked this book far more than City of Fallen Angels. It seemed way more interesting: the link between Jace and Sebastian, Valentine's apartment, the search for an angelic blade... I loved the travelling apartment. Think of the benefits: one day in Paris, two in Rome, one in London, three in Berlin... Ah, the wonder. Travelling without leaving your home. The stuff dreams are made of (well, I'm exaggerating, but still, I'd love it). I also liked that we learned a bit more about the Iron Sisters and got to see Jocelyn in action.
I liked it how Clary can't really bring herself to care for Sebastian, yet she isn't so sure he doesn't care for her. I had the distinct feeling Sebastian's feelings for Clary are more than slightly incestuous (gross), but still, he makes for a very interesting character. The relationship between Alec and Magnus is another interesting point. I was almost sure of how it would end, what with Alec plotting with Camille and everything. Seriously, Alec, can you be more stupid than that? But I'm also prety sure they will be together again by the end of the series. The name Camille taunts Magnus with - Will - made me extremely curious. Was Magnus in love with Will Herondale? I guess we'll only learn about it in Clockwork Princess. Which is still ten good months away. The suspense is killing me.
As for Simon, will he and Isabelle get together already? Also, I wonder what will happen to him now that (spoiler!) he doesn't have the Mark anymore. I guess Rafael will try to kill him. Not cool. I love Simon to pieces. And I very much need my own "Clearly, I've made some bad decisions" T-shirt!
I'd recommend this book to fans of the series. If you haven't started this series so far, what are you waiting for?
Cover attraction: beautiful. Probably the most beautiful cover in the series so far, and I believe it refers to something actually happening in the book (doesn't Clary wear a red dress at a certain point? Well, she does, but Jace was wearing the same colour then, so it's not really accurate.) I read it somewhere Clary will be on all the covers for the second part of the Mortal Instruments series. I guess the next cover will feature Clary and Sebastian. I also would've loved Jace and Sebastian together for this book or the next one. Too bad the publisher vetoed that.
lexion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0