Point of View

Cassandra Clare tells her novel “City of Lost Souls” in the third-person limited-omniscient narrative mode. The third-person narrator acts as a common thread that links together numerous characters and various subplots that are ultimately interwoven into a single overarching plot that focuses on Clary’s attempts to save and secure the freedom of Jace. The third-person narrator allows the reader to jump between characters, situations, and subplots easily, since the style of the narration does not change. The limited-omniscient aspect of the narration adds a level of suspense and drama to the novel, as the reader, narrator, and characters only learn about events in real-time. This includes events ranging from the summoning of Raziel to what side Sebastian is truly on.

Language and Meaning

Cassandra Clare tells her novel “City of Lost Souls” in language that is straightforward, contemporary, and brief. This is done for...