Reread in July 2014 for the last book. I agree with my previous review - definitely the best so far, but I cannot STAND Jace. AT ALL. He drives me crazy. He has family and a parabatai and yet he walks around acting like he can't talk to anyone and he's so tortured and miserable and he just disgusts me. I do like Clary more and more, but I think it's because she acted alone or with Isabelle or Simon for most of this book. I don't really have much more to say. I'm still wondering where the Mark of Cain is gonna go with Simon - when are we going to find out how it's 'cursing' him?

The best so far of the Mortal Instruments series. I was so impressed with this book, especially because you can read my review of City of Glass here (http://vel629vet.tumblr.com/post/16075765679/taken-with-instagram-book-7-60-of-2012) and see that I was very very skeptical about Clare's continuation of the series. I was gripped from the start, and the action didn't stop through to the very last page (spoiler alert: cliffhanger ending).
I really wish I could give 4.5 starts rather than all 5 simply because of the angsty teen sections. For instance, I get tired sometimes with phrases that say something like, "when she saw him she actually felt faint" (that's my wording, not the author's). Or references to character's heart skipping beats or breath catching or any other terrible YA romance cliche. Also, I tire of the torn male character who thinks everything he does isn't good enough or he will never be redeemed yada yada yada...it's a bit too akin to a certain Edward from another vampire series. However, Clare was able to put these sections into the novel without it becoming too much, and I wasn't overwhelmed.
I am currently on a discount hunt for City of Lost Souls (I just don't like buying books full price) and will start it asap.