Can I read this book if I have not read the previous ones in the series?

This book is the fifth installment in a continuous narrative and relies heavily on the events and character developments established in the preceding four novels. Reading it out of sequence will likely result in significant confusion regarding the plot and the complex relationships between the characters.

How does this book connect to the author's other series?

This title is part of a larger shared universe known as The Shadowhunter Chronicles, which includes interconnected series such as The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices. While it functions as a direct continuation of its own specific series, it shares the same world-building, magical lore, and occasional character crossovers found throughout the author's broader body of work.

City of Lost Souls

Reader reviews of City of Lost Souls

Shayma Rsayssi · 2026-11-01T16:46:10.000000Z

I think this is my second favorite book in the series right after city of glass . It was full of relationships and feelings , all kinds of feelings .... I always felt reassured when reading Cassandra Clare's books because based on the last four books and based on the infernal devices trilogy I came to the conclusion that she always finds the right ending so that everybody gets his happy ending at the end , I know I still have to read city of heavenly fire to know what happens but I am so heartbroken by how things turned out and I don't think I can physically or emotionally handle the end of the series. Well first of all , throughout this book I discovered a whole new Alec , I think we never were this close to Alec before , seeing the way he is with magnus just aaaaagh Their relationship is so important and Cassandra Clare decided to rip them apart . I swear I did not see that coming and it broke my heart . They love each other ,Alec made a mistake and was so stupid to even considering Camille's offer but come on magnuuuus you can't just kiss him goodbye and leave him .No you can't . We also had Clary being the usual Clary doing whatever comes to her mind and never thinking about the consequences but that's what defines her, her recklessness I guess . Then we have Simon almost giving his life for Clary , again something we are used to . BBBBBUUUUT we are definitely not used to Isabelle being in love and it just makes me happy and gives me fuzzy feelings seeing her the way she is around Simon ,and even though she loves him she supported him with his decision to summoning Raziel . Well that's trust . Furthermore ,I'm kind of ashamed ( not so much ) to say that I actually hoped that Sebastian ,aka Jonathan , was saying the truth about that good plan of his and about giving Clary a chance to get to know him . I actually enjoyed their time together and I wanted her to consider his offer and to think of him as an older brother . I can't deny that , despite the horrible horrific things Sebastian did , I loved him ( as well as his father ) . More importantly, let me talk about how each and every time I see Will's name I burst to tears . Or each time Brother Zachariah talks about the Herondales and how he has to save Jace . I think in CoHF we will have more of brother Zachariah , maybe even Tessa will show up and of course Will's name will be mentioned again . I hope Malec will be a thing again . Also I hope Iz will make the first move .

The Mortal Instruments Book 5

Urban Fantasy Young Adult

Pages: 535
Published: 2012
Language: English

Synopsis

In the fifth installment of The Mortal Instruments, Clary discovers a terrifying magical bond between Jace and her evil brother Sebastian. Jace is now under Sebastian's control, and harming one means harming the other. As allies race to find a solution, Clary must play a dangerous game, questioning if Jace is truly lost to darkness or if she can still reach him.