Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare-Review

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 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. (Summary from book)

Cassandra does a great job in building her world in the Victorian Era London. London is burning with betrayal, passion, intrigue, secrets, and lies, all layout in an action packed carefully laid plot to unhindge our beloved Shadowhunters with these Infernal Devices.

I will say, Cassandra, more than any other YA author that I’ve ever read, has managed to totally capture the Victorian time period in her novels. I have never read another book that encompasses the culture, the literature, the art, the mind-sets and even the way they speak, and the twisted beauty of that time period as Clockwork Prince.

This book has the love triagle like no others. Its perfect. I never once thought Tessa was being selfish or silly. Her choices are mature and well thought out. There are some moments with Jem that will make you swoon and also with Will.

Will’s walls are crumbling down. Years of playing the cad and inciting loathing like armor had one kink, while keeping other from loving him, it couldn’t stop Will from falling in love with Tessa. He’s on a missing to find a cure for his curse and get the girl. Unsurprisingly Jem has a similar idea as he sets his sights on Tessa.

Cassandra has a way of creating characters that you just can’t help but feel bad for them. Both Jem and Will are hurting so bad, and you really feel for them. Their friendship is awesome, having a parabati is a great thing, better than family. Here is a quote from book that really sums up parabati connection.

“Jem: “Whatever part you [Will] might act to the contrary, I see you as you really are, my blood brother. Not just better than you pretend to be, but better than most people could hope to be.” Pg 481

This book was more of a character-driven book for me, but I still enjoyed how complex the fantastic plot is, and the cool urban fantasy feel to it.

I really believe that Clockwork Price was far more superior to it’s predecessor. (Clockwork Angel) And that is saying a lot, as it was also amazing. She successfully combines all the wondrous romance of the period and infuses it with a whole new life within her supernatural Shadowhunter world.

I will warn you, it drops a huge bomb on us at the end, and will make you cry, have tissues handy, and be warned. :) There is a cliffhanger in a huge way too.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Cassandra Clare's work, or even if you enjoy some romance in a supernatural world. Even if you have not read The Mortal Instruments, you can still read this series first. It does not matter. They tie in together nicely, but still are separate. This is more of a Prequel to The Mortal Instruments. Be sure to read Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices) first, so you can enjoy this story to its fullest.


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