Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices book #3) by Cassandra Clare

                                                                  Title: Clockwork Princess

                                                     Author: Cassandra Clare

Pages: 570

Published: March 13th 2013, by Walker Book Ltd

Series: The Infernal Devices book #3

Genre: YA

Stars: 5/5 stars

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

 IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!

Okay, so firstly, my opinions about the main characters are pretty much the same as the first two books. Click here to read the review for the first book and here to read the review for the second book.

Aside from the main characters though, I really liked Cecily, Will’s younger sister. She’s charming, naive and knows how to ruffles Will’s feathers in a way that younger sisters know how to. It was adorable and in a way she was a bit like Will in a female version.  

I also liked Gabriel’s character. He changed from being a stubborn boy from the first two books and this is partly by seeing his family in the wrong and Charlotte’s family in the right. His new attitude was also affected by his attraction for Cecily (which I knew something was going to happen between them two from the first couples of pages) and his desire to be good in general. It was a breath of fresh air to see Gabriel’s new side to him. He was almost a bit like Will, in terms of speaking without thinking haha.

Oh and I would like to take this space by declaring my undying love for Will. Yep, it hasn’t changed and I think I’m utterly, truly in love with him! Ahhh, I’m so sad for loving a book character but he is just soooooo dreamy in every possible way!!!!

Okay so aside from my love for Will, I really liked the themes that were portrayed in this book. One of them if obviously love. The other is friendship. The most obvious one if the friendship between Will and Jem. The readers can see how real that friendship was when their parabatie disappeared and Will went through the emotion of grief and pain. It was absolutely shattering when Jem was in his last moments of being a shadowhunter and Will was there by his side *sigh*. No doubt there was numerous times where I wanted to cry!

That leads me to another theme which definitely made me cry; loss. One of the biggest loss was Jem dying as a shadowhunter and being transformed into a Silent Brother; Brother Zachariah. Ahh that was such a sad moment!!!

Another one was when Will was dying as an old man amongst his and Tessa’s children and grandchildren. Charlotte, Sophie and, Cecily and Gabriel was there too all in their old age. Ahhh, it was such a heartbreaking moment. Of course Will had to die someday, but I preferred it if Cassandra didn’t mention Will dying in such a way. That way maybe, possibly, Will could have survived with Tessa forever. Ahhh, I know that couldn’t be true, since he isn’t immortal butttt!!!! However, his dying scene was beautifully written, especially the part when Jem entered and played his violin, letting the past moments he had with Will play over.

Lastly, I am glad Cassandra made Jem turned back to a mortal even though it took about two centuries haha. That way, Tessa doesn’t have to be alone, until the moment when Jem dies. However, I think that both may feature and die together in the last book of the Mortal Instruments. I just think that’s going to happen, but if that does happen then it just seems like Tessa and Jem were supposed to be together? Mmm, I don’t know.

The ending was bitter sweet for Tessa and for me.

Ahh,  I’m sad the trilogy is finished buttttt Will make another appearance in his 40’s when the main protagonist is Will and Tessa’s oldest son, James in another shadowhunter series after the Dark Artifices trilogy. 

Notables quotes/passages:

“A very magnanimous statement, Gideon,” said Magnus.
“I’m Gabriel.”
Magnus waved a hand. “All Lightwoods look the same to me.” 

“Will rose slowly to his feet. He could not believe he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear that he was, clear as the silver rim around the black of Jem’s eyes. “If there is a life after this one,” he said, “let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.”

“There will be other lives.” Jem held his hand out, and for a moment, they clasped hands, as they had done during their parabatai ritual, reaching across twin rings of fire to interlace their fingers with each other. “The world is a wheel,” he said. “When we rise or fall, we do it together.”

Will tightened his grip on Jem’s hand, which felt thin as twigs in his. “Well, then,” he said, through a tight throat, “since you say there will be another life for me, let us both pray I do not make as colossal a mess of it as I have this one.” 

“Of course you can have a true Shadowhunter name," Will said. "You can have mine."
Tessa stared at him, all black and white against the black-and-white snow and stone. "Your name?"
Will took a step toward her, till they stood face-to-face. Then he reached to take her hand and slid off her glove, which he put into his pocket. He held her bare hand in his, his fingers curved around hers. His hand was warm and callused, and his touch made her shiver. His eyes were steady and blue; they were everything that Will was: true and tender, sharp and witty, loving and kind. "Marry me," he said. "Marry me, Tess. Marry me and be called Tessa Herondale. Or be Tessa Gray, or be whatever you wish to call yourself, but marry me and stay with me and never leave me, for I cannot bear another day of my life to go by that does not have you in it.” 

Book Trailer:

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices book #2) by Cassandra Clare

Author:   Cassandra Clare

Published: December, 2011 by  Margaret K. McElderry books

Pages: 516

Series:  Series #2 of the Infernal  Devices  trilogy

Ratings: 5/5

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 know I’m reviewing this late buttttt fans of Infernal Devices WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED by the second instalment book in the Infernal Devices trilogy; Clockwork Prince (you can find the review for Clockwork Angel here). Clare pulls the reader into the inner workings of Shadowhunter politics as Tessa, Will, Jem and friends try to hunt the location of the Magister. I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK (I had goosebumps in every passage I read and I made the ‘eeik’ sound any time I came across a romantic part....which I’ll tell you, is at least in every two chapters or so)!!!!

This book broke my heart....literally. It’s currently being held with some sellotape!  All of these characters are fighting or yearning for something. I got to know each and every one of these characters on a more personal level. Clockwork Prince conjured up a lot of emotions in me as Tessa tried to understand her feelings for Will and Jem. The two blood brothers who cannot be separated! Whoo, I’m getting all hot again!

So we’re back in Victorian London with Tess, Jem, and Will (which I love, considering I’m from London... not the Victorian era of course lol).  They’re still on the lookout for the Magister, and brother Nate. On the other hand, we see a lot of emotions being poured and opening up from both Will and Jem to Tess, creating the true meaning of a love triangle. Nevertheless, it’s never an easy ride where love is concerned, as there is a traitor amongst their midst, who happens to be acting on...well what else could there by, but none other than passion itself.

In terms of the character, I really, really, really love Will. I think he is the perfect description of a guy which every girl secretly dreams of (sigh....going too far?). At the end of Clockwork Angel, I found him to be very arrogant and I slightly disliked him for the way he treated poor Tessa. However, that was before we learnt that he has a cursed upon him, which prevails him from loving anyone or, more importantly, anyone loving him. Hence why he acts like a jerk. Nevertheless, my heart went out to him, as we learn about him more in this book and the sacrifice and struggle he has gone through for someone so young. What made me fall in love with him even more, aside from the extremely well description of his appearance, yes IN LOVE was that he desperately tries to find a way to stop this dreaded curse when he realises his in love with Tessa! Fangirling here, but I literally clutched the book and HAD to carry on reading.  I love the way Cassandra toyed with our opinions about Will. In the first book some readers might have disliked Will, due to his horrible attitude that has no explanation whatsoever. Nonetheless, this book, we are plunged into the other side and feel extreme tragedy for him, especially when his family gets involved, which only makes things worse.

But, just like Tessa, I too, am confused as to which guy she should pick. Of course, instincts say Will, not only because his so GORGEOUS, but he makes her blood sing on fire. There is real passion between the two and Tessa’s constantly seen trying to get Will out of her head, even when she’s with Will. However, Jem is also very, very likeable. His so gentle and fragile, no one wants to hurt him, especially when he as possible so little time left! He makes Tessa smile and be happy with herself But that’s all and Tessa wants more than that. But Jem NEEDS Tessa, he actually feels alive and stronger whenever she’s around and returns his affection. Oh gosh, the girl has got herself in a pickle here! Talk about stumbling into a magical institute and having two gorgeous, yet different boys fall in love with you! Every girl’s dream!

Tessa, herself is loveable. I normally do not like girls who toy with boys’ heart or is really fickle and change their mind about two boys but I see Tessa as the exception. She’s funny, witty and confused. The way Cassandra place her in this story, it’s hard not to like her. Poor Tessa is so confused and hurt about everything, which also includes about the two boys she’s living with, especially Will’s hot and cold passion for her. It doesn’t help that both Will and Jem are both so likable too! Oh Cassandra, how you have placed at such a difficult position. The girl can’t seem to get a break.

The love triangle between Tessa, Will and Jem is what makes the Inferno Devices such a good book. Although I have touched upon this before, I think it’s best to elaborate it a bit more here! HOT HOT HOT Will and sweet, quintessential nice Jem. They both love Tessa and both engage in some very scandalous actions with Tessa. I mean woo hoo, there are a lot of bedroom scenes (or things that should have happened in the bedroom!). But what astonished me the most was how she engaged with some skin to skin action with Jem! JEM!! Not Will, who is the most likely subject, but quite gently JEM! However, Jem still acted like a gentlemen in that particular scene. Awww! However, Tessa never once returns Jem’s affection with the three simple words, despite Jem saying it numerous times. She just smiles and nods her head, or whispers words of encouragement to Jem, who, poor soul, lights up like a firefly. Tessa is only there for Jem because she feels is she doesn’t he will be heartbroken (you right there) and that will lead him to a miserable death. She’s trying to make him happy for as long as he lives......which isn’t that long, despite what she really wants is a black haired, sapphire eyed boy who looks at her with such intensity that it makes any girl want to be with him!

BUTTTT because Will is so loyal, he allows his blood brother and the one he cares a lot so dearly have his happiness, even though it is killing Will inside out. All that trouble and he allows Jem have his love.  AWWW WILL!!! Shedding a tear here.

Of course, we are still kept on suspense and excluded from Tessa’s actually origin. Although we are given some insight what her parents may be in several chapters, it just left the readers hungry to know that full truth.

Learning about Will’s apparent ‘secret’ felt like an inflatable balloon. There was so much built into it, that I felt it should have been bigger and actually true however, that minor disappointment was made up for the awesome story itself and the epic love triangle.

My adulation for this book is two-fold. First are the characters and the relationships amongst them, which I have gone into a great deal. But second is the how Cassandra describes the enticing Victorian era with a very mythical and magical twist. Not only are there mechanical creatures, but there are demons and angels. I know most YA books have some sort of supernatural element in them, which is what mostly makes them YA to begin with. However, I have to give props to Cassandra for the way she describes them. She has an imaginative mind that allows her to create characters that seem so real and only adds to the settings and the story.

I do have some theories though for what the next book might contain. Firstly, I think either Jem will die (NOOOO) or he starts to like someone else, someone who appeared at the end of the book (but that seems unlikely to happen). Secondly, Gabriel Lightwood might, out of revenge, toy with the person who appeared at the end of this book. Thirdly, Tessa might be related to Mr Starkweather (the head of the York’s institute), due to him always looking at her as if she knows her, his concern about her well being, and the repeated mentions about his granddaughter.

On a side not, I enjoyed the recurrent use of poetry at the start of each chapter as it added a little extra interest.

I love that both books ended on cliff hangers and I cannot wait for the last book; Clockwork Princess, which comes out on March 2013. 

Notable quotes/passages: 

“Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention — but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest. He could make you happy.”

Vlog review (check out ThePageTurners1 link for more):

Book Trailer:

Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices book #1) by Cassandra Clare

 Infernal Devices: Book One-Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (August 31, 2010)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Series: Infernal Devices #1
Rating: 5 of  5 

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: James, 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

Well I think Cassandra Clare has out done herself again! This new series is absolutely brilliant, more so then ‘Mortal Instruments’ (although the down side is that juicy Jace is not in it). Tessa Gray has been kidnapped and told that she is not human. Poor Tessa’s life has gone upside down and nothing is as if it had seemed to be. She has been told that she is in fact a warlock and is needed by her kidnappers to contact the dead. All Tessa knows is that she needs to flee this torturous house and find her missing brother, whom the kidnappers had said was in grave danger.  She needs to  find help and surprise surprise, like any story involving a damsel in distress, that help comes from a dashing dark knight, who is called Will Herondale, a Shadowhunter (although I’m not complaining. If Will came to my rescue, I’ll be more than happy to play the part at being weak and hopeless!).

I ‘eeiked’ at their first encounter. I love it when the first time the two protagonists meet they can’t stand each other, thinking that they are superior then the other (in this case Will was the character who thought he held an air of authority), yet there is obvious tension between the two. Double eeik.

So anyway, after the bantering and bickering between the two, Will eventually, rescues her and takes her into the London Institute where she is told she will be safe. However she thinks differently, what with a mysterious Magister looking for her and wanting to use her powers for his own dark use and the fact that she still does not know where her brother is or the true identities of her parents. Tessa wants answers!

I was extremely excited when characters from the ‘Mortal Instruments’ series were in this book such as Magnus Bane and Camille. I love it when books from different series interlink with each other, especially with these two series. ‘Infernal Devices’ is a prequel to the ‘Mortal Instruments’, set in the Victorian period. Both series helps to answer some unanswered questions in either one.

The character in ‘Infernal Devices’are all unique from the characters in ‘Mortal Instruments’.  They all hold their own personal pain and hurt, which Cassandra has written so perfectly, making them seem like they are real and relevant. However, Cassandra has made Will quite similar to the way Jace acts and behaves, both being sassy, arrogant but self-destructive and inflicted with long term wounds. I guess it’s because they are related, it made sense for them to act quite similar and I guess no book is complete without that one bad boy that all girls swoon over (including me). Jem is another Shadowhunter in the Institute, a close friend to Will and one who also likes Tessa.

It seems like there has to be two guys who likes the main girl (mind you, a girl who always has something wrong with her) and they always seem to be described quit the opposite to each other. However, I really don’t mind the typical plot in this book. Jem is described the antithesis of Will, a fairer, slender and gentler boy who is fiercely devoted and carers deeply for Tessa and is not afraid to show it, unlike Will. Although I desperately like the whole bad boy image from characters such as Will and was willing for both Tessa and Will to take their confused relationship to the next level. I could not but help to feel annoyed with Will for deliberately hurting Tessa on several occasions and because of this; I began to like Jem even more. His really sweet and treats Tessa well.

Tessa’s character grew on me. At first I thought she was a dull person (and the sombre, grey setting in the book, made me to believe that it reflected brilliantly on her character). However, after I saw that she was actually trying to actively help and change her situation I started to like her (unlike Bella, who just screamed into her pillow after Edward left her and made no effort to move on!). Yet, throughout the whole book, she still seemed to be a lost, confused girl who was still getting her bearings. Well I suppose that is the best reaction anyone would get after finding out you are not who you thought you were and things other then humans and animals existed. I did expect more action and courage from her, but again I must admit she did try to get out of her shell and not accept the fact that she was easy prey. Cassandra did acknowledge the fact that young ladies during this period of time would not do half the stuff Tessa had done. It would have been seen unlady-like (although I don’t know how that would have been since the book is fictional and such things do not exist in real life).

I was rather happy that Cassandra wrote this series set in London. Again, it allows us to compare with ‘Mortal Instruments’ and its setting in New York. She depicted a different picture for ‘Infernal Devices’, one where the characters were dealing with the slums of London, rather than the fresh snow or the exotic summer that ‘Mortal Instruments’ seemed to have. But also, it shows us how Shadowhunters behaved in another period of time and most importantly, because I’m from there! The Victorian period also gave it the much needed spooky, darker, sinister feeling that Tessa and the characters were dealing with. Again, Cassandra wrote a setting that very much complements the plot of the book.

Overall, this book has everything, romance, tragedy, action, similar to ‘Mortal Instruments’ yet it is much darker and intense. I have a theory that some of these characters will show up in the fifth book of ‘Mortal Instruments’. Although, technically they would have died years ago, I think Cassandra would somehow find a loophole, to include these characters. Considering that they were mentioned a lot in the fourth book of ‘Mortal Instruments’, it might be possible.

I can’t wait for the second book; ‘Clockwork Prince’ and know who Tessa will choose between Will and Jem, to unravel the secrets of the past and to know the many unanswered questions such as Tessa’s true parentage.

Book Trailer: