Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare: Book Review

Summary (via Goodreads): 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. 

Review: The last book in the Infernal Devices series...and the last book with Tessa, Will, and Jem. For me, this book was a huge trial in how City of Heavenly Fire (the last book in the Mortal Instruments, releasing May 2014) would turn out. What kind of endings was Clare prone too? 

With this book, I found the disappearance of Tessa most disappointing. It was almost as if she had turned into Clary. Tessa was a mellow, level headed, sensible girl who fit in well with her time period. She was the character that I related to the most and was very fun to read about. However, in this book, she became rash and sassy, too much like Clary from the Mortal Instruments. Her character had a total shift and lack of development that was really upsetting in the last book. 

Will or Jem? Well, in all honesty, this didn't really close well either. Some might say that she preserved both of their good character, but the ending was just too sappy for me. She didn't really pick either, which really compromised both of their feelings. Much like Magnus, another immortal character, I expected her to have one person who she really loved, not too. It destroyed the reputation of either being a true love.

And as for our side characters, they were all pushed together in an insta-love mess. You know, characters can be single throughout an entire series. It's a thing that can happen. 

This book was also much too long. It would have packed a bigger punch like the first two if it had wrapped up quickly and beautifully. However, the relationships and battles dragged out for too long without much to offer when they were all wrapped up. Including the epilogue. I'm probably the only person who didn't like the way it ended, but I did enjoy at least having the little bit of closure that we got from all our characters. 

Did you like anything? Yes, yes I did. Namely MAGNUS and HENRY!! Favorites in the entire series. This book definitely had some things that kept me reading but it was altogether just not complete by the end. 

Rating: 4/5 stars

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare Review

Rating: 4/5 Stars
If you have not read Clockwork Angel, the first book in this trilogy, this review still has spoilers! If you have not read Clockwork Prince, you will be safe.

Overall, I thought this book was slow. Until the last 100 pages or so kicked in. It seemed like we spent a whole lot of time doing just about nothing, including multiple failed attempts to find Mortmain. Charlotte has been set up to find Mortmain, or she will lose the Institute, so you would think that is the major priority in this book.

Except, no, not really.

During this book, we get the "conclusion" of the love triangle. Throughout the failed attempts, Tessa is accompanied on her missions by either Jem or Will and stuff happens. Mostly in carriages and under balconies and pretty much everywhere. This book is mainly Tessa's decision between the two as they are finally put under equal light. In the end, she does make a decision, even though it may not be right for her. This part is the only thing that really grabs readers, until the main chunk of action at the end.

There is some exciting stuff going on with London, as well as the expansion of Will's backstory which was very intriguing. We also got some more of Magnus Bane, whom I am always a fan of, but not so much Camille, who I am also a fan of. Jessamine's character is also expanded upon more, but you have to wait until the end to see that story line really unfold. Sophie also gets more book time with a new love interest :).

So, in essence, the book is like a Clockwork Angel - part 2, which I guess it should be considering it's a sequel. I wouldn't say it suffered sequel syndrome, but it definitely had some side effects.

I highly suggest this series (at least what I've read of it) and it is MUCH better than the Mortal Instruments. I will probably not get around to Clockwork Princess for a while, maybe January? Late December? Hopefully this book packs more of a punch. It certainly has room for it.