Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare: Review

Clockwork Prince

Author: Cassandra Clare

Pages: 502 pages

Release Date: December 6th, 2011

Status: Sequel to Clockwork Angel; collector's edition with Will's love letters to Tessa.
 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

 

In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather.

I'll be honest with you, it took me about 2 1/2 weeks to finish Clockwork Prince, but I did it! And when I finished the book, I just don't understand why I took me so long, regardless of all the stuff I had. I finished it on Friday, and that was the day when my family came from Alberta- it was the start of a very hectic stay, and I got more reading done than I did when they weren't here (ironic huh, considering the fact that I had more work assigned during this Thanksgiving weekend than I did the week before). 

So Clockwork Prince starts a couple of months after the events of Clockwork Angel. Tessa, Will, Jem and the other members of the Institute are up against the Consul and Inquisitor after the escape of Axel Mortiman from the first book.

During their meeting with the Consul, Charlotte's position as the head of the London Institute is challenged by Benedict Lightwood. Unfortunately for Charlotte, Benedict's challenge is recognized and she is given an impossible task to prove that she is fit for a job in a man's world: find Mortiman in two weeks or she'll lose the Institute to Benedict. In addition to her impossible task, she has to have Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood (Benedict's sons) to train those who live in the Institute that are not up to par with Shadowhunters- in other words, Tessa, Sophie and Jessamine.

Along with having to train with the Lightworms (as Will calls them), Tessa has to deal with the fact that Mortiman is still out there with her 'beloved' brother, Nate. But her troubles don't seem to end there when she realizes that her Jem and Will may also be part of her worries...

I really liked this book: the tone was good, the dialogue was good, the plot is good, and overall most of the characters where very likeable. My favourite parts were in the beginning where the whole group was looking for news on Mortiman's possible whereabouts.

"Reparations," said Jem very suddenly, settling down the pen he was holding.

Will looked at him in puzzlement. "Is this a game? We just blurt out whatever word comes next to mind? In that case mine is 'genuphobia'. It means unreasonable fear of knees."

"What's the word for a perfectly reasonable fear of annoying idiots?" inquired Jessamine.

-Clockwork Prince, page 31

It were little times like this that made me laugh, although the overall tone of this tone was very dark and focused on solving the mystery of Mortiman.

What I liked the most is that we get to see all the characters in action in the book-yes, even Jessamine. I feel like this book was dedicated in developing their characters.

My favourite character in this book was Sophie, because she came into her own and became her own person. Not only that, but thanks to Benedict Lightwood (I think that's the only time I'll say thank you to that Lightworm) and his sons, she was able to learn how to be defensive and much more of a warrior. I seriously was jumping up and down with happiness when I read that part where she knocked Jessamine out with a mirror (or was it a hair brush?). That was golden.

The only character that I didn't like was our narrator, Miss. Tessa Grey. OMG, I HAD A TWILIGHT MOMENT WHEN SHE COULDN'T DECIDE WHO SHE LIKED AT THE END. GAHHH. But no, Tessa and TID are a MILLION times better than Twilight. 

What annoyed me was her inability to not make up her mind with Will and Jem. If she wasn't making out with one, she was making out with the other. I get that her decision is a double edged sword (one will get hurt regardless), but I think she's looking for someone who's secure and someone that's not what she actually needs. I seriously didn't know what to do half the time. I was either made or swoon over the boys, it was a toss up.

I really pitied Will and Jessamine the most in this book. I pitied Jessamine because she's just a little girl who refuses to grow up and be a Shadowhunter- a desperate girl that finally got what she deserved. But regardless, I still feel sorry for her. In my head, Jessamine is smaller and much more childlike in my head. However, out of the two, I pitied Will the most. When he told Magnus the whole story as to why he was trying to find the demon that 'cursed' him, I was crying. And by the end of the book when Tessa makes her final decision, I was balling like a baby.

You don't even understand how I felt when he told her to forget everything that he said to her and when Jem announced everything to the group, I was dead when Will just toasted the happy couple. 

I think that's why I didn't like Tessa near the end though, to be honest with you! I just didn't like how she was basing them on how she felt at the moment and not honking of who she really needs at the moment. And to be honest with you, as much as I love both Will and Jem, I feel as if she shouldn't have chosen either of them; it was too early and she needed both of them.

Overall, this book was amazing, and I was okay with how some little things were left for the next book and how some things just ended. My favourite parts were when Will learned the truth, Charlotte wasn't disowned of the Institute and she announced that she and Henry were going to have a baby.

Oh, and when Cecily Herondale showed up as well!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare: Review

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Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 479
Status: 1st book in the Infernal Devices series
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Recieved From: My school library

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them....

Let me just begin my post by saying that I didn't go to bed till late at night (or early the next morning depending on how you look at it).

I had read the City of Bones and the City of Ashes when they first came out...and that was pretty much it for me. I didn't read City of Glass, and haven't really gotten to buy or borrowing the book. But I always meant to get back to the series-I SWEAR!

Anyways, Clockwork Angel was freaking amazing! I've always wanted to read The Infernal Devices, but I always felt guilty for not finishing the Mortal Instrument. But I saw Clockwork Angel and I HAD to take it (the books always seem to disappear in my school's library).

The story starts off with Will and Jem discovering a body of a dead girl in the streets of Victorian London. Immediately, they suspect the murder probably had Downworlders involved, and Will takes it upon himself to solve the mystery.

We are then introduced to Tessa, who has arrived on a steamer, expecting to be picked up by her older brother, Nate, but is instead picked up by the Dark Sisters, Mrs. Black and Mrs. Dark, who claim that her brother had told them to pick her up.

It then skips to a couple weeks later, where Tessa has been kept locked up in the Dark Sisters house and has been forced to tap into powers she didn't know she possessed: shape-shifting. She later escapes from the house after being rescued by the ever gorgeous, sexy and mysterious William Herondale.

Tessa soon finds herself at the doorstep of the London Institute and the mercy of the Enclave, where she is thrown into a world of mystery and deadly secrets.

I'm not going to say anything more (don't want any spoilers), but if you wanna know more, GO READ THE SERIES!

 

What I loved about this series is that it has brought back my love for the Mortal Instruments series, and now I'm really upset that I stopped at the City of Glass.

Clockwork Angel lived up to it's reputation. The plot was wonderful, the characters were amazing, and there was a lot of foreshadowing with the future books and the Mortal Instruments (which I liked).

What I love is the plot! OH THE BEAUTIFUL PLOT! I don't know what kept me reading: to find out if they'll figure out who the Magister is in time, what really happened to Nate, if Charlotte and Benedict, or Will and Gabriel, would kill each other or something, I don't know. The book was so compelling and beautifully written that I was completely enthralled! 

I especially loved the characters, and as I progressed, I that guilt I felt for not finishing TMI just started to eat me alive!

I love Tessa: she's badass, a bookworm, and she's got some pretty awesome powers. And not to mention, she has some pretty awesome comebacks:

Jessamine ignored him. "Is it dreadful, being so evil? Are you worried you'll go to Hell?" She leaned in closer to Tessa. "What do you think the Devil's like?"

 

Tessa set her fork down. "Would you like to meet him? I could summon him up in a trice of you like. Being a warlock, and all."

-page 68, Clockwork Angel

Like if I was there, I would've being letting out a whoop of laughter like Will (if I wasn't, you know, drooling all over him).

Will and Jem are so beautiful together. I love the way they compliment each other. But I just hate being torn between the two (it's my heartache for Jace and Simon all over again...dang)! Although, I can tell you I could've used a little more Magnus Bane. But he was in the book, and I'm fine with that (because it's just not right if Magnus isn't in it). 

The only character I didn't like was Jessmine. I don't know, I guess it was her description and the way that she acted that just made me think of her as a doll half the time, and whenever she had any lines, I would read them in the highest pitched voice I can ever muster. I just didn't like her, especially at the end after what happened with Thomas. That was tragic.

My favourite character though has got to be Henry. He's just so...I don't know. Sometimes I would get upset because he was so oblivious to Charlotte and how she felt, but there would be times where he was affectionate. I think what makes him my favourite character is the fact that he's so much like the 11th Doctor. Think about it: he's always locked up somewhere, working on something crazy; he's wife is strong and takes control of everything; and he's very puppy and childlike. But at the same time, he can take control of the situation and be the Shadowhunter he is and you can tell he does care about his wife. The only main difference is that Henry's ginger, and the Doctor will never be ginger (sorry Doctor).

But seriously, Clockwork Angel was beautiful, and I'm so happy to say that I was able to get the second book from my school's library! YAY! Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on TMI really soon.

Overall, 3.5 stars out of 5 for Clockwork Angel! 

Blogger Life: Book Haul (#1)

It's Saturday and the end of summer! I'm actually more of a fall person (because, who isn't a fan of wearing big, comfy sweaters?), but sadly, I'm not as hyped for fall as I thought I would be. No, it's not because it's raining like crazy here, but because I have a book problem.

Currently, I'm reading these books:

 

I have already started reading Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto and Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (and I'm in love with both), and I will be starting Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor real soon! (I will probably be finished Heaven and CoA by tonight, considering I don't have any homework ^_^).

But that's not my book problem. I have enough books to keep me busy for probably a little over a week (homework problems...sighs...), but the books in the second picture (excluding Daughter of Smoke and Bone) aren't the books that I have reserved. Sure, I've always wanted to read them (I heard Harlan Coben is awesome. I hope he won't go Moffat on me though), but the ones on my list still haven't arrived from the library and it's almost been a MONTH!

My school library isn't very updated (but I have given my librarian a list of books to get), but the public library is the worst! I'm happy that I get books for free and I'm happy that I can renew these books and keep them longer than my school's library system, but they are just so slow!

I get the wait list thing, and I'm fine with that! I just HATE it when they put a book that you really want to read in the library system, get you to reserve it, and later find out that it's not in the system!

Like why do you torture me like that? And then when you go to check on when they'll have it, it just says AVAILABLE SOON. Thanks library, THANKS A LOT! How am I to borrow books for free if you don't even have it/ won't tell us when you'll have it?

Now, I guess I just have to wait. And update my resume and hope I can get a job. I really need more books, my poor bookshelf hasn't been updated in awhile.