Verb Vixen

The Mortal Instruments

The City of Lost Souls- Cassandra Clare

The City of Lost Souls is the 5th book in the Mortal Instruments series.  In true Cassandra Clare style there is a lot going on and having had to wait so long since I read the last one, it took me a minute to remember all the different connections among people. The Mortal War may be over but this book has plenty of danger, action and consequence. I loved the Isabelle storyline—she’s much more vulnerable and relatible than when we first met her.  Clary is still reckless and headstrong and lovable. Jace is not himself, again, but there’s glimmers of that charm and snark that we all enjoy.  Alec, dear god, Alec is crazy boyfriend. CRAZY. And that’s all I’m saying about that. Simon is feeling less like sad love triangle best friend and more like a hero in his own right, which is so well deserved.  I’m not convinced of the additions of Maia and Jordan yet but what are you going to do.  Also, this book had substantially more uh, “Sexy times” than previous books. Not that I’m complaining. I’m not.  Look Shadowhunters may look good in black, but they look better in nothing.

This next part of my review is not going to be like my others. There will be ranting and maybe some spoilers so read on, or not.

THE F. SERIOUSLY. We are how many books into this series and Clary and Jace are still not together? Uh uh. No. Just, no. I love this series, I love the world, but you gotta give me something to latch onto here. I’m sick and tired of them being torn apart, of Jace not being himself because of possession or twinning or whatever the hell else it is. JUST LET THEM BE TOGETHER DAMMIT. End rant.

Overall: A- (primarily because of frustrations with Jace and Clary)

The City of Lost Souls is out now. Order your copy here.

Follow Cassandra Clare on Twitter @Cassieclare or on her website here.

My Top Ten Books of the Year

Wherein I give you 11 books because of a loophole. Here’s my Top Books of 2011 in no particular order:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: If you can read even the first 20 pages without being pea green with envy and wishing you had written some of those sentences, you are either an idiot or a far better person than I.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver: Oliver just shines when it comes to good prose within a heroic tale. Half of my book is highlighted because of the sentiments of her sentences. Couple that with the brilliance of her dystopian tale- a world where love is a disease that is cured, a heroine that has such spark, a sacrifice worth making. Just thinking about this book, you need to mop me up from the puddle on the floor.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: Oh the cleverness! Beautiful writing within a beautiful story. Morgenstern is playful: the non-sequential time narration, the vivid imagery, the sensations.  I loved the Victorian setting here and in some characteristics it reminded me a bit of Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell (but in the most delightful way!). In the end may it be said, we are all reveurs.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini: It takes a certain kind of genius, a genius very few possess, to take a story that everyone knows and to twist it into something new and wonderful. Angelini takes the Trojan War and mythology to new heights with this contemporary setting and a pair of lovers that could light up the night sky. This is the only book that I finished and immediately read again. In my life. Please re-read that and let it stand as testament to how honestly wonderful I believe this series to be.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins: I fell straight up in love with a boy named Cricket. CRICKET. That’s how you know Stephanie Perkins’ is the queen of YA contemporary. You’re reading a romance without realizing it’s a romance and OH does it suck you in.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin: Psychologically thrilling plot, a stunning cover, and the smexiest boy ever: Noah Shaw. Yes please. Hodkin hits all the right notes if you’re looking for something dark, unnerving, but sinfully appetizing as well.

Shatter Me by TaherahMafi:Think X-men meets dystopian. Our heroine is fierce, her love interest is swoon-worthy, and the world they are fighting in is terrifying if only because it rings possible.

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz: For sheer comedic value alone, Spellbound makes the list. It is one of the few books that made me laugh out loud. Multiple times. In public. I might have snorted in one of those highly unattractive moves that you have no control over. Add in medieval curses, the NY setting, a fated romance and a DJ boy that could make you drool and this book is filled with pure win.

The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare: Ok so I’m purposely late to the game here but I knew I would like them so I needed a few books out before I started reading. I read the first 4 books in one day. Can I just say: JACE. CLARY. AH! These books filled the void left by Harry Potter for me. The world Clare has created is fascinating and filled with such interesting characters: good, evil and all the gray in between.

The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare: Ok I know, I’m a little late to this one too but I wanted to have at least two books I could read sequentially before starting the series. Will Herondale takes hot to a whole new level. The balcony scene? The attic scene? Seriously. A note: the audio books with Ed Westwick narrating…I’m pretty sure you could get pregnant just by listening.

BONUS: Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith: Technically it comes out in 2011 so this is me cheating and giving you an 11th book. THIS BOOK IS UNBELIEVABLE. Seriously, it is a book that I will come back to time and time again and never tire of. It’s a contemporary YA that will take you through every emotion possible.

Also in Non-Fiction my favorite of the year was Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton.