Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: December 6th, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Steampunk/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Romance
Synopsis:
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. The special Collector’s First Edition will include a never-before-seen letter from Will to his family! 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.My Thoughts: I would like to start by saying, I am so glad I discovered Cassandra Clare! This book was set as the book of the month to read for a book group I'm part of a couple months ago. I had to read the first in the series first, Clockwork Angel, and I did, and it was amazing to say the least, then I joined the waiting list at my local library to read this one. I waited for months, and finally, I got my turn to read the book! It was so worth the wait, this book does not disappoint! I only wish I had discovered these books sooner. I love her writing so much I went out and bought the series that this series is a prequel to, The Mortal Instruments, and I am so anxious to read them!
This book really sucks you in, you will find yourself attached in someway to almost all of the characters. We all know that most YA books have a love story, and also common is a love story with a twist, or a love triangle, forbidden love, you get the idea. This book, has a love triangle that will drive you mad! (I mean this in the best way possible) Tessa has two possible suitors, each of them carrying their own baggage along, but each an excellent choice in unique ways. Both these men, Will and Jem, are desperately in love with Tessa, and Tessa also loves both of them, whatever will she do?! I loved the romantic scenes in this book, they were so wonderfully written, so intense and bursting with emotion, while reading them, I could feel my own heart beating faster, and my eyes drinking up every word and still being thirsty for more! As is common, there is always the question, which team are you on? Which guy are you cheering for? I am without a doubt Team Will! I love both Will and Jem, but I really feel the attraction and connection between Will and Tessa is so much deeper and intense. There is of course no loss of love between Tessa and Jem, but even still, I feel that the Will's love for Tessa surpasses that of Jem's. You can't help but pity and feel your heart ache for each of these boys, the way it plays out towards the end made me yell out loud. You will understand what I mean when you read it for yourself, seriously, go read this!
Poor Tessa is surrounded by a world of unknown and confusion, she doesn't know who she is, where she might come from, what the future will bring, where her powers come from, and more. I fell in love with Tessa, I love her strong-willed, courageous, but at the same time, gentle, loving, and oh so caring and thoughtful in concern of those she loves, character. She is a wonderfully developed character, as are many others in this story, you will find yourself feeling for and with her as she tries to find out where in the world she belongs.
I really don't want to say to much about the story line for this one, I don't want to give one ounce of the greatness away. There is heartbreak, betrayal, love, sadness as well as pure happiness, action, drama, mystery, suspense, and more! I just love Cassandra's writing, reading her stories is fun, and it flows so beautifully, it makes her books almost possible to put down. I was up way to late at night reading, it's the kind of book that keeps you awake because there is no point where you aren't dying to see what happens next! You will reach the end and wish that there was more, I know I cannot wait to read Clockwork Princess, waiting for it's release is going to be hard, but I have faith that the wait will be totally worth it.
