Series ~ The Infernal Devices #2
Author ~ Cassandra Clare
Release Date ~ December 6, 2011
Publisher ~ Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source ~ Books a True Story
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.
Clockwork Prince is one of the most passionate and emotional books ever. Really. Forget about the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. This book is long on affection, empathy, and all out love. And I’m not talking about the superficial, “he’s so cute” or “OhMyGawd I want him” type of attraction that I’ve seen so often. No. This is the real thing. Real characters who have invested in each other and have something to lose. Yeah, that kind of real.
Do not be scared away by Tessa being torn between Jem and Will’s affections. This is no ordinary situation. These two guys are friends. Best friends, in fact. But they aren’t trying to one-up each other when it comes to Tessa. Jem stays true to the considerate and thoughtful guy I met before. Now for the unexpected. Will learns truly shocking secrets from his past. They explain a lot. Maybe he’s not a jerk after all. Or maybe he is. Or maybe he is, but it kinda’ makes sense now. Or maybe I have it all wrong. Anyways, let’s just say it’s a revelation beyond what I could ever dream up in my imagination.
Tessa has decisions to make, a mystery to solve, and powers to master. All the while though, she has romance swirling all around her. The thing is, Tessa knows how to handle herself. She is mature and brave and she is able to make level-headed decisions. Smart and confident, Tessa is perfect in her role as heroine.
I have to mention the setting. Victorian London with a steampunk flair. Come on now, how could that possibly not be awesome? The setting is at times bold, with descriptive passages and fantastic details. Other times, the setting peeks in and flutters about like a butterfly. Girls were taught to be formal and proper, there were so many rules. Just imagine how Tessa felt as a Downworlder, where she had freedom and power.
I love all of Cassandra Clare’s books, and Clockwork Prince is my favorite so far. Can’t go wrong with unpredictable revelations, characters I actually care about, and a wicked cool setting.
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