{ City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare }

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

May 8th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry

Format: Hard Cover

Source: My Bookshelf!

From GoodReads:

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 most 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 Shadowhunters’ 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 Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.


My Review:

I have said it before and I will say it again. Cassandra Clare speaks to my soul. I will be the first to admit that okay, this may have not been the BEST BOOK EVER! But, this series is one of my guilty pleasures. And I will admit that the whole Clary and Jace thing has gotten off track. Luckily we have other relationships to feed off of.

First off, Simon! I must say that after the last book I was starting to see Simon in a whole new light and now? Huge, Simon lover here!! Simon really has grown so much over the past 2 or 3 books. The developing relationship between Simon and Izzy is so very appealing. They are both so strong, so funny and so very stubborn. You have to love it. Okay...and the whole biting scene? One of Clare's best scenes ever!

And of course, I am still a huge Magnus Bane lover! He has to be one of the best characters out there. I just love every scene he is in. He brings so much emotion. He makes me laugh, cry, laugh, frustrated, laugh, angry, laugh...well you get the picture. I just love him. Right now, I am feeling very heart broken and worried for Magnus...and Alec. I can not wait for COHF!!

Putting aside my love for this series and this book, I will admit that the biggest portion of this book, dealing with Clary, Jace and Sebastian was a little...well, not really needed and a little weird. I think that most of us can agree that Sebastian's incestial tendencies were a little creepy. However, I get where Clare was going with all of it. Sebastian is crazy and the true definition of evil. I get it. And he does it well. But could the story have gone on without it? Perhaps. It is what it is and it did not deter me from going forward with this series, or lessen my love for this series or for Clare. I still adore them both. And I loved this ending! I know many people out there wanted a nice happy ending to this 5th installment. Not I. Not at all. I loved it! I just wish I did not have to wait so VERY long for COHF!!

In the end, I whole heartily recommend this book and this series. If you have not jumped into this one? Please do. It is one of my top favorite series and always recommend it to everyone I know. Thank you once again, Cassandra Clare.

Rating: 5+ Stars!

{ Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare }

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Dec 6, 2011 by Margaret K McElderry Books

Format: Hard Cover

Source: My Bookshelf!

From Goodreads:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Review:

First off...Cassandra Clare. Are you trying to kill me? Seriously? OMG!

Looking back at my review for Clockwork Angel, I whole heartily believe that I overrated it. Clockwork Prince totally blew Clockwork Angel out of the water! As I have said before, Cassandra Clare speaks to my soul. I cannot fully explain it, but she truly is a cure for what ails me. Cassandra Clare has a knack for creating incredible characters. Whether they are characters that we love or love to hate. Every single one of these characters are embedded into my soul. I love them all!

Tessa has grown so much since the first book. I felt much more connected to her and truly caring for her on every level. She is a very intelligent young woman, funny,strong and learning about herself and the world around her. What more could you ask for. Jem is still very much, Jem. We all love him. He is that sensitive, caring, just all around great guy. While I love Jem, just like the next person, I don't LOVE Jem. My...okay, Tessa's... heart belongs to Will. Will...my Will. Okay, yes, I have a bit of a book crush on Will. Will...as with Jace from the Mortal Instrument Series...is strong, snarky, hilarious, loyal and just downright hot! Okay, okay. I know he is only 17, but somehow this book felt so much more sophisticated than Clockwork Angel. At times I really forgot that these were teenagers. I felt so connected to these three and their lives...again Cassandra Clare is a master!

Once again this book also confirmed my ever growing love of Magnus Bane. He is such a great character. There are many dimensions to Magnus and I know there are more to come. He is one of those characters that I would love to meet in real life...okay, I know he only lives between the pages of a book, but seriously, would he not be a blast to hang out with?! The things that spew from that mans mouth!

A great moment for me, was seeing the relationship building between Charlotte and Henry. These two are just so cute. For those that have read Clockwork Angel, I know you are thinking...'what are you talking about?'...but, Cassandra Clare had me in tears. You have to read it to understand.

I could go on and on about each of these characters. I am truly a lover of Character driven books. I know that many reviewers have complained that the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices are one in the same. 'There is absolutely no difference in the plots of these two series'. 'The characters are the same.' Well, okay. You may have a point... to a degree. This series takes place before The Mortal Instruments. This is the story of how it all began, so yes, of course it will be similar. As far as the characters? Okay, sure. I can see similarities. So what? I still adore them all. If I had, but one complaint. It would be the whole love triangle thing. It can be a bit exhausting and quite frustrating at times. But would I change it? No. It is what it is and I love every moment of this book.

In the end, would I recommend this book/series? Yes, oh yes, oh yes. If you love character driven stories? If you enjoy your share of snarkiness and sharp witted characters? If you love adventure and a bit of magic thrown in for good measure? If you are a fan of Victorian era, Steampunk romance? You will adore this series. If you have read Clockwork Angel and feel the series is not really worth continuing? Please... give it another shot.

And Cassandra Clare? You will be the death of me. You know that, right?

Rating: 5+ stars!

{ City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare }

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

April 5, 2011 by Margaret K McElderry Books

Source: My bookshelf!

From Goodreads:

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of the City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someones 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, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary's plan to live as normal a life as she can - training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that is deeply personsonal consiquences for them - concequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

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

My review:

I am a HUGH fan of this series and this 4th installment did not disappoint. I was a bit nervous going into it as I had seen a very large mix of reviews. I did not read too many because I did not want to be influenced at all. But seriously. People out there either LOVED it or HATED it. I am one of those that LOVED it. I will be honest and say that the whole Clary and Jace thing was on the verge of being quite annoying. I am so glad that this book seemed to mainly focus on Simon. I love Simon. I always did, but now I REALLY love Simon! Seeing how Simon goes through the process of dealing with becoming a Vampire and what that really will mean to his life and his relationships with his family, friends, the Downworlder community and Mundane community is fascinating. Simon is such a great character. I absolutely love the relationship that is developing between him and Isabelle. We get to see the true essence of Izzy and I am bouncing to see where the road leads for these two!

I am definitely still on team Jace. However, I did feel that his self loathing at times was a little drawn out. Cassandra Clare definitely was close to drowning Jace in it. I understand where it was coming from. Jace has a lot to work through and that in turn results in a ton of internal struggles, but Cassandra Clare needs to be very, very careful.

There were a few new characters that were introduced into this book and I really look forward to seeing if they continue on with the next one. Although, Maureen made a small appearance in this one, it was a HUGH appearance. I really hope we see more of her in the next book. She could definitely add even more dimension to Simon's life! I really loved the addition of Jordan to the story as well. He definitely has added another dimension to the male dynamics of the story and another great character full of humour and sarcasm...which I always love!

Overall this book was amazing, especially the last 150 pages or so. Talk about intense! And what a cliffhanger! Are you kidding me? You are killing me! Must I really wait a whole year? Really?

If you are already a fan of the Immortal Instrument Series, you will not be disappointed in this one. If you have not entered into this world yet? What are you waiting for.

Rating: 5 stars!!