City of Lost Souls

I honestly think this series should have stopped at City of Glass. To me, books 4 and 5 have seemed redundant. In truth, City of Lost Souls could have been a good story, as it does have some enjoyable adventures, and it does improve slightly once one manages to reach Part Three… However, since it is the third time in a row that Clare tries to sell the same “unattainable lover” story conflict, the first two parts of the book become a bit dull: I got the sense of not reading anything new or compelling that would push me to rush through the pages.

Jace, where oh where did Jace go ? This guy gets himself in so much trouble. Now he's disappeared along with the evil Sebastian's body. Of course everyone if frantically trying to figure out what happened. They just went 'poof' gone, no clues left behind. Their search is hampered by the Clave's investigations. Red tape rearing it's ugly head, it's even here. There belief that Jace and Sebastian are both dead comes crashing around them with the stabbing of somebody near and dear to the gang. Life hangs, death is near and nobody knows what to do. Clary can't let him go, she can't let him be dead, never again. The doomed adventure begins. There is major dark mojo and twists to discover. People have changed, or have they ? The only way to know is to jump into the black and hope for a light. My only complaint- It was very good, except the Jace/ Clary- connecting, not connecting, getting together/staying apart..endless teasing. It is time to bring them together or tear them apart this is getting ridiculous ! I know it is YA, but this author has had them to the point of banging the bedpost for 5 books now, 5 ! She makes it so important in the story, they think about it, get all hot and bothered only to pull away at the last moment. This one was the worst for dragging it out for yet another book.

ACTUALLY 3.5 The whole book is all about Clary saving Jace from Sebastisn's evil influence. Ok, then instead of the story's focus at that part, most of the book is wasted in Camille's and Alec's conflict, Maia and Jordan, Simon and Isabelle's love story and Clary's romance. The story deviates in between and comes back. There are 21 chapters and the actual book could come upto maybe 15 or 16 chapters. The book's progress could've been better.