Part of The Mortal Instruments, book 5
First published 2012
Clary faces her worst nightmare when she reunites with Jace. Lilith's demonic magic has fused Jace's soul with Sebastian, her murderous brother, transforming the boy she loves into a servant of darkness. The Shadowhunter governing body wants Sebastian dead, but killing him means destroying Jace too. While Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle negotiate with Seelies, demons, and the ruthless Iron Sisters to find another solution, Clary embarks on her own perilous mission. She must navigate a deadly gamble where failure costs not only her life but Jace's eternal soul. Every choice forces her to question whether the person she's trying to save still exists inside this corrupted version of her beloved. As Sebastian's influence grows stronger, Clary confronts an agonizing truth: saving Jace might require sacrificing everything she holds dear.
Genres: romance, fantasy, young-adult, paranormal
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, sacrifice
Setting: City of Lost Souls
535 pages · Hardcover · Margaret K. McElderry Books
Content warnings: violence