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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one. A lot of things happend and it was exciting.
It felt so nice to open up a Cassandra Clare book again from my shelf and dive into her world once more. I didn't have the best reading year last year and reading her books restores some kind of reading faith inside of me. I love this world with all its interesting characters and creatures and settings. It was truly a great book for me.
Onto the spoilers!
Sebastian and Jace's whole bond thing at the beginning was devastating for me. Here Jace goes again, getting swept up and possessed! It honestly was a little annoying to see him in the same kind of state again, but I still enjoyed it after all. Seeing him actually be himself at the ends of the book made me appreciate his character much more. It also made me value his relationship with Clary more as well, seeing Clary miss him so much. Even I missed him! Though he still had some hilarious jokes, it definitely was toned down to amp up his possessed self.
Clary was so strong in this book. She showed so much more character, and truly made sacrifices that were intense to read about. She is a clever and brave character, and I loved that we saw more of that.
Also, there were much more sexy scenes in this book than I would've ever imagined! Between Jace and Clary's constant sexual frustration and Jordan and Maia's intimacy, I kept raising my brows in surprise. But I loved it! Cassandra Clare did it all tastefully in my opinion, and it separates this style of writing from so many other YA books that are too afraid to "go there."
As for Jordan and Maia, I loved them together. They were a realistic couple (as realistic as a werewolf couple could be) in my opinion. They had a dark past with one another, and through it all Jordan patiently waited for her to return to him.
There were also some super darker themes in this book compared to the rest that I've read from this series. We aren't strangers to the "incest" plot line from the previous books, but in the back of my mind I knew Clary and Jace weren't truly brother and sister. However, this wasn't the case with Clary and Sebastian, as they obviously were brother and sister, so to see him nearly rape her and kiss her and confess some kind of crazy, sick attraction to her was disturbing to read, but gave even further insight as to how mentally disturbed and evil Sebastian truly was.
Simon was easily one of my favorite characters in this book. He is relatable, hilarious, and adorable. But don't let him fool you, he is also brave and intelligent. Raising the Angel and pretty much sacrificing himself proved once again that he would do anything for the people he loves. That's definitely a recurring theme in this series.
Of course, Isabelle, Alec, and Magnus were also entertaining to read about. Alec was a bit more sneaky in this story, and it proved to squash his relationship with Magnus (which I'm hoping they can work out in the next one, since I love them together) but I completely understood and agreed with Magnus's viewpoint about the break up. I wouldn't be too fond of it either if my significant other hid behind my back and thought about taking away my immortality. It did honestly seem a little out of character for Alec, but then again perhaps he truly doesn't trust Magnus very much. Their relationship is a bit complicated, and I love it!
I think I've covered most of it.I'm very excited to read the next and concluding book to the series!
Onto the spoilers!
Spoiler
So... I am a little nervous as to try to wrap all of the events from this book into one review. I may miss many things, but here it goes!Sebastian and Jace's whole bond thing at the beginning was devastating for me. Here Jace goes again, getting swept up and possessed! It honestly was a little annoying to see him in the same kind of state again, but I still enjoyed it after all. Seeing him actually be himself at the ends of the book made me appreciate his character much more. It also made me value his relationship with Clary more as well, seeing Clary miss him so much. Even I missed him! Though he still had some hilarious jokes, it definitely was toned down to amp up his possessed self.
Clary was so strong in this book. She showed so much more character, and truly made sacrifices that were intense to read about. She is a clever and brave character, and I loved that we saw more of that.
Also, there were much more sexy scenes in this book than I would've ever imagined! Between Jace and Clary's constant sexual frustration and Jordan and Maia's intimacy, I kept raising my brows in surprise. But I loved it! Cassandra Clare did it all tastefully in my opinion, and it separates this style of writing from so many other YA books that are too afraid to "go there."
As for Jordan and Maia, I loved them together. They were a realistic couple (as realistic as a werewolf couple could be) in my opinion. They had a dark past with one another, and through it all Jordan patiently waited for her to return to him.
There were also some super darker themes in this book compared to the rest that I've read from this series. We aren't strangers to the "incest" plot line from the previous books, but in the back of my mind I knew Clary and Jace weren't truly brother and sister. However, this wasn't the case with Clary and Sebastian, as they obviously were brother and sister, so to see him nearly rape her and kiss her and confess some kind of crazy, sick attraction to her was disturbing to read, but gave even further insight as to how mentally disturbed and evil Sebastian truly was.
Simon was easily one of my favorite characters in this book. He is relatable, hilarious, and adorable. But don't let him fool you, he is also brave and intelligent. Raising the Angel and pretty much sacrificing himself proved once again that he would do anything for the people he loves. That's definitely a recurring theme in this series.
Of course, Isabelle, Alec, and Magnus were also entertaining to read about. Alec was a bit more sneaky in this story, and it proved to squash his relationship with Magnus (which I'm hoping they can work out in the next one, since I love them together) but I completely understood and agreed with Magnus's viewpoint about the break up. I wouldn't be too fond of it either if my significant other hid behind my back and thought about taking away my immortality. It did honestly seem a little out of character for Alec, but then again perhaps he truly doesn't trust Magnus very much. Their relationship is a bit complicated, and I love it!
I think I've covered most of it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First off, I would like to congratulate Cassandra Clare for making book 5 City of Lost Souls. Never in my life was there a book that played with my emotions. From the relationships to truths being revealed. I couldn't put the book down. And I cried. Wholeheartedly cried over the breakup of my favorite Shadowhunter couple Alec & Magnus. 😠PLEASE let there be a happy ending in the next book. My heart cannot take anymore lost over tragic breakups.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No