Audiobook Review: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Title:  City of Lost Souls
Author:  Cassandra Clare
Narrator:  Molly C. Quinn
Series:  5th book in The Mortal Instruments series
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date:  May 8, 2012
Source:  purchased audiobook
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love?

Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

I don’t know what more I can say about these books that I haven’t already said in previous reviews.  The characters are well-defined with unique motivations.  The imagery is beautiful, even when it’s used to describe horrifying things.  And the plot, as always, is full of twists and turns.  It’s one unpredictable event after another.  That, or I’ve just given up trying to guess at what’s going to happen, and so I’m shocked at every turn.  Either way, me likey.

I know everyone is ready to see Sebastian finished off, but honestly, I really liked the insight we got into his character in CoLS.  Yes, we already knew he was creepy and murderous and a bit incestuous, but we thought that was all Valentine’s influence…or at least I did.  But now?  That guy is evil on a whole other level than I expected.  Should have seen it coming, right?  Maybe.  But Sebastian has more than proven he’s a psychopath hell-bent on destroying the Shadowhunters and everything they stand for.

Good thing Clary’s not going to let that happen.  Sure, she has to go along with things for awhile, earn Sebastian’s confidence and trust, but she’s not going to go down without a fight, especially when Jace’s life is on the line, as well.  And she’s still got all of her friends working on a solution, even while they deal with their own plethora of personal problems.

As for Jace, well, I missed his sarcastic banter and witty retorts, his self-proclaimed “rapier wit”.  He was so docile in this installment that for a moment, I actually liked Sebastian’s character over his.  At least Sebastian had passion and fortitude, even if his goals were lofty and maniacal.  Jace gets a chance to redeem himself in the end, though, and that’s all that matters, right?  He really earns that LIGHTwood name, doesn’t he?  Hehe.

I think Molly Quinn did an amazing job with the audio.  There is such a vast group of characters in these novels, and though it might have been slightly better had there been a male narrator at certain times, her portrayal of Clary was everything I thought it should be.  This is the first time I’ve listened to one of the books in this series, but I’m convinced Molly Quinn is the right woman for the job.  (I actually thought she'd be great as Clary in the movie, but apparently the casting peeps didn't feel the same way.  :C )

You should know by now whether you’re a fan of this series, but just in case …you are.  What’s not to like about it?  The heroine is a head-strong, fiery red-head.  The love interest is most definitely swoon-worthy.  A nerdy yet loyal best friend.  Vampires, werewolves, warlocks, crazy demon-invoking spells involving blood.  See?  :D

Oh, and in case you’ve been stuck under a rock and haven’t started this series yet, City of Bones, the first book, is only $0.99 for Kindle and Nook right now!  Get it while it’s cheap, people!

Rating: 

Read More

Labels: audiobooks, book trailers, cassandra clare, favorites, reviews, simon schuster, the mortal instruments

My Favorite Reads Giveaway Hop

Yay!  It's time to showcase some of our favorite reads and how better to spread the word than with a giveaway?!?  Up for grabs, I have one of my favorite YA series:

In City of Bones, the handsome Jace introduces fifteen-year-old Clary Fray to the world of the Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world. She’s sure that Valentine, the evil and powerful Shadowhunter, is responsible for her mother’s disappearance, but she’s about to discover much more…. In the second book, City of Ashes, Clary’s mother remains in a mysterious coma, and danger abounds now that the Shadowhunter world knows Valentine is still alive—and that Clary and Jace are his children. Will Valentine succeed in making the Mortal Instruments his forever? In book three, City of Glass, Clary has to use all her ingenuity and newfound magical skills to get herself to the secretive Shadowhunters’ home country in an attempt to cure her mother’s enchanted sleeping sickness. When Valentine attacks the city and destroys the demon towers, the past tangles inextricably with the present as Clary and Jace face down their father.

** The boxed set up for grabs contains the first three books in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassie Clare.  It is the paperback boxed set and it is pre-loved, though gently.  I've since bought myself the boxed set in hardcover so that all of my copies for this series match.  In case you weren't aware, I'm a little neurotic like that.  :D **

I bought this series in 2010 when I was trying to discover something new to read after finishing The Hunger Games.  However, it sat on my shelves for a few months before I finally gave in and gave it a read.  And then I immediately pre-ordered City of Fallen Angels and read it in a day when it arrived.  Okay, I lie.  I pre-ordered it but I couldn't wait a few days to start it, so I downloaded a copy to my Nook for immediate reading pleasure.  (Again, I'm a little neurotic, especially when it comes to my books.)  Anyway, I have City of Lost Souls waiting for me at home, and I can't wait to get caught up on review books so I can get to it.

Before entering the Rafflecopter form below, just a reminder that this giveaway is for US residents only and the winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be selected.  Also, again, please be aware that this boxed set has previously been read but is in good condition with minimal wear and tear.  Thanks for entering and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now that you've entered here, be sure to check out the other stops and see what everyone else's favorite reads are:

Read More

Labels: cassandra clare, favorites, giveaway hops, giveaways, must-read, the mortal instruments

Uncovered - 1/4/12

Alas, after much anticipation, the cover has been unveiled for City of Lost Souls, the fifth book in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series:

Finally, a cover with Clary AND Jace!!!  And now I wait with baited breath until the release on May 8th.  *sigh*

Also, there's been another cover redesign in the middle of a series.  This one is for Black Heart, the third book in Holly Black's Curse Workers series:

 I'm partial to the old covers myself.  I think they just showcase the series better:

What do you think of the new covers?

Read More

Labels: beautiful covers, cassandra clare, cover redesigns, curse workers, holly black, the mortal instruments, uncovered

Teasers, Pleasers & Other Fun Stuffs...#4

All the things I found on the internet this week that made me swoon, giggle, or just wish I had a time machine so I could travel to the future. Enjoy!

First up, I continue my quest and love for all things Vampire Academy/Richelle Mead.  Which is kinda strange considering I JUST stumbled upon VA when I bought an audiobook on sale from Audible.  But, hey, it doesn't matter how or how long, just that you finally did, right?  So, here's the latest trailer for Bloodlines, featuring Sydney Sage:

Jace Wayland was making his way up the ranks in the YA Crush Tourney, eventually coming out on top and taking the coveted title, and now Cassandra Clare's readers are reaping the benefits:

Illustration by Burdge-Bug on Deviantart

Jace's POV on the Manor Scene in City of Glass










By Palnk on deviant-Art



Of Loss:  Will's perspective on the events of Clockwork Angel, page 285-292

And because of Jace's win, there's more to come!!!

Behold, Jeff Hirsch's The Eleventh Plague now has a trailer:

The novel will be released on September 1st.  Check out my review now, though, to see why any fan of the dystopian genre should definitely pick this one up.

Read More

Labels: bloodlines, book trailers, cassandra clare, dystopian, teasers, the infernal devices, the mortal instruments

TGIF #2

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads!  In this weekly feature, Ginger poses a question to her followers and then asks everyone to link up at the end of the post, sharing their responses.

This Friday's Question:

Character Envy: If you could be one character from a book, who would you choose & why?

At first glance, this question seemed easy.  I mean, the first name that popped into my head was one Hermione Granger, and I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to have that reaction.  But before I give in to this gut instinct, I thought I'd analyze what makes a truly great character for me personally.  (Admittedly, I'm only looking at trading lives with a female character, as that's what I know best.)

#1   Strong sense of self
#2   Intelligent
#3   Sense of humor
#4   Kind-hearted
#5   Spirited
#6   Honorable
#7   Determined
#8   Different
#9   Pragmatic
#10 A good friend

Pretty much, it would have to be a character that I'd want to be friends with in real life.  Now, of all my favorite book characters, do any fulfill all ten requirements, epitomizing what a truly great character means to me?  Of course, Hermione is all of those things.  But what about Gemma Doyle?  Sure, she does.  What about Katniss Everdeen?  Totally, but she's been through a little too much for my liking and has years of sadness ahead of her, so maybe I wouldn't want to be her afterall.  Hmm...so that leaves Hermione and...wait, Violet Ambrose is pretty awesome, too.  Man, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Okay, I'm calling it before I get in too deep.  I'd want to be Gemma Doyle.  Yes, because she's all of the things I listed, but mostly because she gets to wear awesome gowns and live in England at the turn of the century.  Yes, for me, it all comes down to fancy dresses and beautiful scenery.  Oh, and the magic, too.

But if there was a BONUS requirement that held more weight than the others, it would be this:

#11 Gets to make-out with hot boy (or boys, as the case may be)

And then I'd have to say I'd want to be Clary Fray/Morgenstern, because who among us didn't imagine ourselves in her place in the DSAS?

Read More

Labels: harry potter, tgif, the gemma doyle trilogy, the mortal instruments