Clockwork Prince
The Infernal Devices #2
by Cassandra Clare
Hardcover, 502 pages
Published December 6th 2011
by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN 1416975888
Source: bought
4.5 stars
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.
I was a huge fan of the first three books in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series but have to admit that she lost me with City of Fallen Angels as well as Clockwork Angel, the first in the Infernal Devices series. I didn’t finish either book. I know hardcore Cassie fans will think I’m crazy but I just felt a loss for where my favorite writing and characters had gone. I decided to give things one more try with book two in the Infernal Devices. I wasn’t disappointed with Clockwork Prince. The thing I love about Cassandra Clare is her rich descriptions, witty banter between characters and the inclusion of literary classics within her storyline. I finally felt like things are back to what I fell in love with in the first place. The steles are back, the feel of magic and loyalty, the rich world building. Clockwork Prince is set in Victorian London, a mix of steampunk and paranormal with several scenes of romance. I wouldn’t pass this one on to a young teenager, which is my main complaint about CP. There are two very steamy scenes that have a more adult romance because of the detail. There is also mention of drugs, moderate violence and lots of innuendo. So if you are a parent, I’d give the series a read yourself before you pass it on to a teen.
Overall this is my favorite of the last three Cassie has published. It has peaked my interest in how the MI and ID series overlap as well as the family lines. Does anyone want to help me out here? Have you found the family links intertwining between the two series? I’m also curious to see how things shake out between Tess, Will and Jem. I get the feeling she loves both of them for very different reasons and is concerned about coming between them as parabati. I’m so glad our questions are finally answered about Will’s walls. I loved every interaction he and Tessa have. We see a depth to Will never before shown. Jem, while kind and attentive is not in my mind the most appealing. Maybe she ends up not choosing either! Guess we will have to wait until book three to find out. Even at over 500 pages, I’m guessing most readers will devour all of Clockwork Prince in one sitting. The beautiful seamless writing of Cassie Clare is back!
Jessi E. (The Elliott Review)
I definitely loved this one the best out of the Infernal Devices books so far. It’s hard to decide if I like it better than all of the Mortal Instruments books since they are at the top of my list. But it does come VERY close.
Munnaza
Everyone keeps telling me that this is the best of Cassandra Clare’s books, and your review only makes me want to start reading the Infernal Devices now. Thank you so much for the review! I can’t wait to check it out!
karen
Like you, I kind of lost interest while reading the first book, and kind of disliked Clockwork Angel, but Clockwork Prince, was pretty much better than what I was expecting.
Will grew on me, but so did Jem, and Tessa. for me it was a favorite of the year.
Sara
I wasn’t as into this series with reading Clockwork Angel as I was with the TMI books, but Clockwork Prince changed that for me. Cassie sure knows how to write a triangle and really pull your heart in both directions. I do agree that this book should probably be for more older teens. Thanks for the review! 🙂
sarabara081
France
Clare makes it so hard for us to decide who we want Tessa to end up with. It is utterly painful, and wonderful at the same time. You wish that she could be with Jem because this is probably his last, and only chance at happiness, and Will because well I don’t want to reveal anything but your heart will just break- basically he deserves to be happy with Tessa. I honestly don’t know if I can wait for Clockwork Princess – I’m going through serious withdrawal! Go out and buy this book, you will not be sorry!!