Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince

(The Infernal Devices # 2)

By: Cassandra Clare

Pub. Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 498

Source: Bought

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 was my most anticipated book of the year and when it finally was released, I was not disappointed at all! Cassandra Clare is such a fantastic writer and I really had no complaints. How could I? The 19th century London setting was magical, the writing was perfect and the characters have a way of breaking your heart and causing you to fall in love with them at the same time. I adore this series, it is one of my favorites and I am so looking forward to the conclusion, Clockwork Princess.

The main character, Tessa, is someone that I truly admire. She is so strong and determined. She has been through a lot in her life, but she still gives her whole heart to those she cares about. Tessa is exactly the kind of female protagonist that I like to read about!

Oh, and the boys! Jem and Will are both amazing. I am whole heartily Team Will, and have been since Clockwork Angel. I always knew that the mean, hurtful Will wasn't the real him and I was relieved to finally know why he acts the way that he does. And boy, is his back story tragic.  Even if I wasn't Team Will, it would have been hard to not feel for him. I am excited to see how he tells everyone what he has been hiding and how they handle it.

Besides Tessa, Jem and Will, the other characters are also fantastic! Charlotte and Henry's marriage always made me sad but there was a scene between them that was so beautifully written and I am so happy to see the two of them happy and actually in love. We also get to meet Gideon, who I absolutely adored! I am looking forward to more of him.

Without giving too much away, I understand that Tessa is in love with both Will and Jem. She thought she never had a chance with Will, and when she got together with Jem, I wasn't surprised. This is one love triangle that I think is going to end horribly, and I am not looking forward to that.

Overall, I loved Clockwork Prince. There was nothing to not love about it. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I never knew what was going to happen next and there were surprises at every single corner. This is one series that is not to be missed. There is just something about these books that make a wonderful reading experience.