Work has been busy and the job hunt continues at its sloth-like pace (I’m at a grand total of 3 applications). I’ve binge-watched Luke Cage, Iron Fist (bleagh, don’t do it, guys– see this article for further dissuasion), and The Defenders, along with a whole season of Grimm (which I started back when the show first premiered, btw), and read four books, none of which I’ve reviewed. Damn, and I had so many thoughts on them, too. Anyways, here’s my attempt to get back into the game (how many times have I said that before?). 
Today’s featured book: City of Lost Souls (Book #5 of The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare.
Format I consumed it in: E-book, from the library down the street from my house.
The premise: Yes, I am aware I have no review up for City of Fallen Angels, and I don’t know if I ever will, because quite frankly, I don’t really recall where it starts and ends. I’ll think hard about it after this review is done and upload it right away if I’m able to remember. SO, CITY OF LOST SOULS… the Clave/Council announces that they’re putting the search for Jace on the back burner ’cause let’s face it, more important shit is happening. For example, the wards over Moscow are being destroyed. Wards over other major cities are at risk. Alicante’s wards still need to be reinforced! Clary, predictably, doesn’t take this very well, so she makes up her mind to keep looking for Jace on her own. Fortunately for her, Izzy, Alec (and by default, Magnus), and Simon agree to continue searching. Clary makes the terrible decision of going to the Seelie queen, her most trustworthy and helpful highness, for assistance, and things really kick off from there.
MEANWHILE, Camille is still lying low around New York and trying to persuade Alec to help her with her nefarious plans by talking to him about Magnus’s past and offering him ways for him and Magnus to be together forever. Simon continues to deal with the negative consequences of being a vampire. Jordan and Maia try to enlist the Praetor’s help. And Mr. Creepy McCreeperson (a.k.a. Sebastien a.k.a. Jonathan Morgenstern) is being the absolute creepiest person ever for a YA novel villain. YEESH. You’ll see when you get to his part. My goodness me.
My thoughts: I truly believe my enjoyment of this “sequel trilogy”, as I’ve labeled it, has been greatly enhanced by my reading of The Infernal Devices. There are some TID easter eggs in this second set of Mortal Instruments books that got me way more excited than they should have, let me tell you that.
Things I liked about CoLS: Aline introducing Clary, Alec, and Izzy to her girlfriend Helen and thanking Alec for inspiring her to come out (awww)! Simon’s new status as voice of reason/comic relief in the group. Magnus’s apartment being turned into a halfway house/safehouse for shadowhunters and other non-humans who are on the move. Simon and Izzy! The more intimate glimpses into Magnus and Alec’s relationship. Jocelyn and Marys trying to be good moms/partners/shadowhunters/action-takers/role models.
Things I disliked about CoLS: All that time wasted describing Clary and robot-Jace’s dates in detail. Clary’s terrible, reckless choices. Okay, so she eventually redeems herself, but who the fuck thinks it’s a good idea to do what she did during that very crucial moment about 2/3 of the way through the book? Alec and Magnus’s lack of communication, although that didn’t bug me as much as it should have until THE VERY IMPORTANT, INFAMOUS MOMENT NEAR THE END WHEN IT TRULY MATTERED. The rehashing of the Lilith plot– good god, is this Supernatural? She needs to go. And finally, MAUREEN. I cannot stand her. Perhaps I’m biased against annoying 14-year-old girls; I don’t think so, considering I work with them quite often as a teen services-oriented library person. But the thing at the end with Camille? What the fuck? Did anyone else think that was a WTF moment? ‘Cause I most certainly do. I hope Cassandra Clare explains it in a way that makes sense in the last book so I don’t feel ripped off.
My rating: Overall, a 4/5. I quite enjoyed reading this book. Sure, I was creeped out and spent more time cringing and yelling “OH, COME ON!” at the characters than I would’ve liked, but it was still a pretty good book. Half a star off for the ending (the last 20 or so pages) and half a star off for Clary’s *MOMENT* that I mentioned earlier.
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