REVIEW: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices, #3

Publication Date: March 19th 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Hardcover, Collector's First Edition, 568 pages
Useful Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Book Depository

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

Clockwork Princess was one of my most anticipated releases of 2013 and not just for one reason... The previous book in the Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Prince, absolutely left me speechless, so naturally I couldn't wait to read how the story would finally wrap up. And what an ending did Clockwork Princess provide!

But let's take things from the beginning. To every reader that has read even a single book by Cassandra Clare, it's no news that this author knows how to grasp your attention and make you travel in fantastic worlds. And here, after having read and the final book in this prequel to the Mortal Instruments series, I just have to say that Infernal Devices is so much better than the MI and so much more mature. At least it felt that way and in any case I found myself enjoying Infernal Devices much more. And the thing I have enjoyed the most is the way the love triangle was written. Shocking, I know! I usually absolutely hate love triangles. But in Infernal Devices it was one of the best triangles I have ever read in a long time, maybe ever. In this story the triangle was there, centre to everything that happened throughout the whole story but at the same time it wasn't the sole focus of the story. It felt just natural, something that was absolutely essential for the narration and not just a trend.
And now that things have finally ended and I got my answer with whom Tessa finally ended up with and especially after that epilogue I can only say one thing: every reader will feel satisfied with how things wrapped up, at least in the romantic department. But I, felt that it was just too good to be true. That last 15 pages or so were so fitting to the story but they made me feel that I was reading a fairy tale with an ending that was too good for everyone. Yeah, one could say that I'm a bit torn towards that ending....

You see on a deeper level, I wanted for Clare to end her story the way she did. It was the best way for such a triangle to be solved. But still, no matter how fitting, no matter how I wanted it to end that way, I still felt that it was a bit unrealistic. As unrealistic after a moment felt for me the reactions of Tessa, Will and Jem. Who on earth is so civilised when such truths emerge? But that's a matter of preference. Because whether I liked the ending or not, it was written in such a way that I couldn't possibly not love it.

As far as the story is concerned, Clockwork Princess is the most action packed of all three novels in this series and that was to be expected. I loved every twist and turn of the plot and I literally devoured this book in a matter of hours. The best part for me? The genealogical tree at the end of the book. Silly I know to love such a detail from a great book but I can't help myself!I love those kind of details and I only wished that there were more characters' lineage there :)

All in all, Clockwork Princess was one of the best books I read by Cassandra Clare and even if I didn't agree 100% with the ending, I couldn't see how things could end otherwise. Any other ending would be a compromise to an outstanding series. All I can say now is that I can't wait for the new series Clare has in store and takes place after the MI.Something tells me that that series will be the best one yet!

Waiting on Wednesday: Clockwork Princess

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My selection for this week is:

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date:March 19th 2013

Publisher:Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pre-Order via Book Depository

Summary from Goodreads:

Danger intensifies for the Shadowhunters as the New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy comes to a close.

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy.

What I think:

Oh well, if you have already read the previous two books in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, then there's no reason for my to justify my selection today... :) This series is simply incredible and if I may say so, I like it even more than Mortal Instruments. I even like the love triangle in this one and that is a rare occurrence for me, believe me! Clockwork Princess is simply one of my most anticipated releases for 2013!

REVIEW: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: December 6th 2011

Publisher: Walker Books

Paperback, Collector's Edition, 496 pages

Buy via Book Depository

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.

What can I say about Cassandra Clare that hasn't been already said? What more to say that will do justice to her and her work? I think that everything has already been said. Cause Clare and her books are really totally worth of all the attention they are getting!

Clockwork Prince is AMAZING! I mean Clockwork Angel was really good, a book I trully enjoyed reading, but Prince is even better. The way the characters evolve in this book, the way their feelings and thoughts are unfolded before the readers' eyes is done in such a way that leaves your heart broken. Tessa, Will and Jem just left me in total awe in this book. Or rather Clare left me awed with the way she handled her characters and the relationship between them.

In Clockwork Prince we are not dealing with a usual love triangle. In no way. The love triangle here isn't just a trend as it is in most books I've read so far. The love triangle is essential and so well formed and delivered that just leaves your heart broken. By the end of the book I was sad about all three of them. Clare just focused on the emotions of her characters and that worked in advantage to the story. Believe me, there's been a few days since I finished reading this book and I'm still stunned over how amazing it is.

I won't actually say anything about the story itself of this book. No need to spoil things for you. If you have read even a single book by Cassandra Clare you already know how good a writer she is and how addictive her stories are, so you know what to expect already. Every element that makes all her other books so successful is present in Clockwork Prince. So, just pick this book and everything else that Clare has written and enjoy the ride!

 

READING: City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments,#4) by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: April 5th 2011

Publisher: Walker

Paperback, 424 pages

Buy via Book Depository

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.


But nothing comes without a price.


Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.


When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.


Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Cassandra Clare just worked miracles again with City of Fallen Angels!To be completely honest with myself,when I first heard the announcement of a 4th book coming to The Mortal Instruments series and then the new one,stating that the series will be extended to six books in total,I was both excited and a lot apprehensive too.We all thought that the story had reached it's conclusion,and although it's not the first time a writer decides to resume his story after the end has come,in many cases,that decision wasn't all too successful.I myself,have come across such cases,and because TMI series is among my favorites ever,I was both excited and afraid...

But I shouldn't be...Cause Clare knows exactly what she's doing,and she's doing it really well.At least that's how I feel about her work!Her writing style is amazing,and I love all those descriptions of places and facts but what I love the most about her work,is that everything in her story is set in such a way that plays a crucial role for the future,or has its place in the past.Every detail and every event just has it's meaning,waiting to be unraveled sometime later in the story,if it's not immediately connected with the past.I mean the connection that many things have with The Infernal Devices series just awed me!I knew that the two series are connected but not interfering with each other,but still,reading this book just amazed me!

I loved how the characters evolved.Especially in Jace and Simon's case the evolvement was huge!Jace was by far my most beloved character in the series,what with his being sarcastic and all,but in CoFA,all the events of the past three books seem to have affected him and the way he behaves.He is still the adorable Jace we were all used to,but now he haves to come to terms with all the shocking truths he learned about himself and what he thought were real in his life.And all that,just made me love him even more...!We get to see more of Simon also!Truthfully,Simon was never among my favorite characters.I liked him surely,but I wasn't mad about him.In CoFA though,we get to know him a lot more and all that I learned about him made me like him and understand him,more than I could in all the previous three books combined.

In general,most characters although remain more or less the same,despite Jace,they just grow through the tragic events they went through.

I'm aware,that many people just found too much the romance in this book.I've read some reviews stating so,but I just couldn't mind such a thing.The romanctic plot between Jace and Clary is as good as ever,and the rest,well,I though that went along perfectly with the story.Any romantic element in CoFa,I thought that went along with the story and complemented it rather than be the main focus or abstract the reader.I just loved to see more about others as well,and just not Jace and Clary!

All in all,CoFa just managed to reignite my interest in a story I though had ended and I just can't wait for the next book.I can't wait for The Clockwork Prince either and believe me a reread of both those series is well needed and I will do it before the final installments get published.I just want to be aware even of the tiniest detail when the time comes!

READING: Clockwork Angel(The Infernal Devices,#1) by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: September 6th 2010

Publisher: Walker

Paperback, 478 pages

Buy via Book Depository

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.


When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.


Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.


Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.


As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

OMG!!!Really i can not say much about Clockwork Angel!It is THAT good!I was a big fan of Mortal Instruments series also,so it would take for the first instalment of The Infernal Devices series to be a really bad book for me not to like it.And it was far from bad...

Clockwork Angel has everything all three books of The Mortal Instruments series had.It was action packed,with well developed characters and if i may say so,here,the characters were even better.At first i thought that Will was just another Jace,Jem,another Alec and Jessamine another Isabelle,but i was really mistaken...Will and Jace certainly share the same way to deliver witty answers and a wicked sense of humour but Will is a far more dark character than Jace was for me, with secrets of his own that thankfully and frustratingly aren't revealed yet and Jem and Jessamine prove really soon that they are quite different.I know,comparing characters from this new series to the previous one isn't really nice but having read Mortal Instruments i find it rather unavoidable.

The plot on the other hand was more than amazing.The writing style was exceptional, something all Cassandra Clare's fans are accustomed with.Twists and turns in the story made you anxious to know how things evolved and the romantic element was just perfect.Not too strong an element in this story,but apparent and wonderfully built.Some of the twists i must admit that i saw them coming,but not the full extent of the events,something that just added to the plot element.

Before anything else,i have to say that the setting of this book was by far,the best part for me.The Victorian era England presented here was plainly engrossing!I enjoyed the contrast between the Shadowhunter women and the rest "mundane" women who at that time were expected to do nothing else but marry and stay home.I liked that contrast and how could women of both races feel imprisoned in the role a certain society expects them to fulfill.

All in all,Clockwork Angel is an amazing first book in a series that promises to be as exciting as Mortal Instruments and maybe even more.Cassandra Clare's writing style is addictive and more mature and she manages to create heroes you tend not to forget.Too bad the next book in the series won't be released until next year.I can't wait to put my hands on it!