Clockwork Prince

Cassandra Clare

Dec 2011 · The Infernal Devices Book 2 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

True love is shrouded in secrets and lies in the enchanting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when it becomes clear that the mysterious Magister will stop at nothing to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, tortured Will and the devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal and fueled by revenge. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa is drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa answers about who she really is? As their search leads to deadly peril, Tessa learns that secrets and lies can corrupt even the purest heart.

Ratings and reviews

This review contains SPOILERS. Read at your own risk. OMG, this book! OMG! By the Angel, why did I wait so long to read this series? Then again, on the other hand, perhaps I am glad that I waited until all of the books were out because I do not think that I could have waited to find out what happens from book to book. First of all, this book gouged out my heart and put it back together over and over again. This book devastated my heart again and again. I'm not okay, all right? I thought that the characters from The Mortal Instruments series were my babies and that I could never love any Shadowhunters (or Downworlders!) as much as I love them. I was wrong. While The Mortal Instruments characters will always be my babies, this mama has adopted The Infernal Devices characters and brought them into her heart. I have so much love for these characters and this brilliant world that Clare has envisioned. After I finish The Infernal Devices series I will be starting on The Dark Artifices series and I simply can't wait! This world will suck you in and refuse to let you go but, trust me, you won't mind a bit. The world building in this series is fantastic! Truly so, because it has so many elements. It is not only a Shadowhunter book, but one set in 1870's London. I can't even imagine all the research that went into perfecting the world held within the pages of this series. I love having a different perspective on the Shadowhunter world. It's historical and in a different locale than Clare's other Shadowhunter novels. I love how Clare's Shadowhunter books build off of one another. Everything ties together in the end. There are different lines of Shadowhunter families spread across the ages and we get a glimpse of different generations of Shadowhunters. Information and events from The Mortal Instruments series tie in with those of The Infernal Devices series, and it is done so flawlessly. It's so magical the way these histories flow together. My favorite part of this book and this series is the characters. They have so much depth and play off of each other so well. I immediately liked the characters from the start of the series, and those feelings only deepen in this book. These characters have become so special to me. Clare has a vivid way of implanting you right into the story so that you live it along with the characters. It's quite a gift to have, and quite impressive. The plot gets so much better in the second book. We only scratch the surface of things in Clockwork Angel, but things really start to get interesting in this book. We get to see new characters and how they tie into the London Shadowhunter world. There are lies, deceits, and secrets galore in this! It is truly riveting. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. The romance in this is quite spectacular. So emotional. There is a love triangle that is written so expertly that there are hardly words to describe its splendor. The main character grows close to two different boys, and it is utterly convincing and warranted. Some love triangles are flat and unbelievable, but not this one. This is probably the best one that I've ever read. I know that Clare has done a mind-blowing job with the love triangle because I am seriously torn as to who I want Tessa to end up with in the end. I don't want either boy hurt, nor Tessa. Ugh, if only polyamory were acceptable in 1870s London... Overall, this book was perfect! If I had to impart one thing to you about this book it would just be GO READ THIS SERIES ALREADY! I am serious, though. You need this series in your life. Once you have finished you will kick yourself for not reading it sooner, such as I did. I will immediately be picking up the last book and then try not to cry because it is the last book of the series. Why couldn't this series have six books like The Mortal Instruments series, yeah?

I have to say that Cassandra Claire did not disappoint. I have yet to read the Mortal Instruments, so I can't really say whether there are any similarities between them, but I don't think it's one of those cheep serials where the first book is awesome and then the series goes on a steady decline from there (I'm looking at you, Suzanne Collins). I especially love the way she made other characters involved with the story instead of having EVERYTHING revolving around Tessa. It was a really neat ironic twist as well when Tessa said she would marry Jem when Will finally realizes that he can love her (I feel for Will because, honestly, I thought he was great from the time Tessa smashed his hands with that pitcher in the Dark Sisters' house). I also think Henry is just down right hilarious. He's my second favorite character after Will, and I hope he sticks around. I can't wait to see how Cecily fits into everything, and I'm curious to see what part Tessa has to play in Axel Mortmain's plans so I won't be sleeping until Clockwork Princess comes out! Although...(and PLEASE I mean NO harm at all in saying this), it WAS a disappointment that Tessa didn't end up with Will, and if you take a look at the 12 out of 3058 reviews, that disappointed many. I hope C.C. can prove that was a good decision. And for all you people who said it, it is NOT like a bad soap opera, and EVEN though it is a classic love triangle, why do you think clichés stuck around? BECAUSE THEY GRAB PEOPLES' ATTENTION. For all you people that think Jem should just die in a hole, I do agree the love triangle does get in the way of the story a little, but that's what sequels are for, and the indecision drives me crazy in a good way that makes it interesting. Really, we could have done without the "I love you Jem! Or do I love Will?" thing, but it adds a little angst to the story, which is a break from the "OMG THE ROBOTS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD" thing. It also included much more character development, which, as a writer myself, I know is very important. C.C. is one of the great authors out there.

I love this series, it's dark secrets, the automations, the magic,mysteries and even the love triangle. Oh, the love triangle is down and dirty, tugging back and forth, leaving my heart in two. There is a major betrayal, a lie revealed and a heartbreaking revelation, as well as death. A must read for fans of this series. If you have not read the previous books go back you need the background. The book ends with a cliffhanger. A good one too, I am torn which way I want it to go. Sigh, I wait for the next book.

About the author

Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles. She is also the coauthor of the bestselling fantasy series Magisterium with Holly Black. The Shadowhunter Chronicles have been adapted as both a major motion picture and a television series. Her books have more than fifty million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and three fearsome cats. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.