Clockwork Prince (2011) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“Background: As the Institute faces a possible leadership change, Tessa and the Shadowhunters are in full swing looking for the Magister. While doing so, Will’s past comes to haunt him, making him strive for possible resolution. Jem and Tessa grow closer through Will’s inability to get close to others, and Tessa’s brother is still up to his tricks. Through the confusion, Tessa is still unsure about her past and her future concerning the Shadowhunters.

Review: Tessa, Will, and Jem are wonderful characters, there is something about each of them that will always pull me back to the story; which is very unlike the Mortal Instruments series, where some of the characters are…well…dicks. I love the story Cassandra Clare has put together. There were so many twists that I was not expecting at all, I was really blown away (esp. in the last few chapters). I think that the Shadowhunters in this series are very humble compared to her other series and that is what makes them so likable and thus the story more enjoyable

Likes:
-Tessa still finding herself...but really not. I enjoyed the interaction between Tessa and her brother; there was finally a little resolution on that front, but only just enough to keep me questioning some things. Also, what is up with Starkweather being all creepy but interested in her? Very interested in where that goes.
-Will and his background finally being revealed. I liked the mystery about him in the first book but in this one he really becomes a character that I like.
-Jem and his happiness, I have a huge soft spot for Jem and maybe that was the intention, but I think it is great that he is finally getting what her wants versus Will always getting everything.

Dislikes:
-I seem to have this problem with Clare consistently, not all of the good stuff needs to happen at the VERY end of the book! It is so bothersome. When I first started this book it was slow, a lot of talking or descriptions, which were nice, but no action. She almost always leave all the action to the very last few chapters and that irks me. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“This was the third time I read this and each time I picked up things I missed the last time around. Cassandra's writing is so full of information and depth that it takes a couple of readings to get it all. Plus I love getting to know the characters just that little bit better. How is she ever going to choose between those two boys? They are both so wonderful. I guess life will have to choose for her. I hope she is happy with the outcome. I am kind of scared to read the next book, because I know people are going to die. But I trust Cassandra to give me a happy ending after all the crying in between.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Re-read annually at a minimum!”

• Rated 4 stars

“ I took my time on getting around to this one because there were so many rumors as to when the final installment would come out. Now that its available, I'm trying to hurry and play catch up.
This book brought up so many questions. Such as "What is Tessa?" and "What is the Magister REALLY up to?" It was the perfect setup for the last book. Had I not waited to read it, I would have been very upset at having to wait so long to finally get the answers to these questions.
The best part of this book has to be the emotion surrounding it. With Clare's writing, the grief that Tessa, Will, and Jem face, is not only read, but FELT by the reader. I honestly felt my heart breaking many times for Will throughout the entire novel. Gah, Will is such a misunderstood character!
I saw that many people were also afraid of the love triangle in this series. Although it is a big part in the story, it is not overwhemling. I enjoyed it, (#TeamWill) besides the times when she was with the "wrong person." lol The triangle is well written and as I said before, sets up for the last installment to the series where Tessa will hopefully pick.
Lastly, something that I enjoyed from the first book to this series, is the characters. They are explained more in depth in this novel. We learned so much more about Will, Jem, Tessa, her brother, Mortmain, and even Jessamine. Although we learned about them in the first one, I feel that they were explained more and the reasoning for their actions is explained. Hence the reason I said Will is misunderstood.
This book will give you some answers and will give you even more questions. It was the perfect sequel novel, and I don't say that often. I am definitely looking forward to reading the last installment to the Infernal Devices series to answer all my questions, such as who will Tessa pick, what is she, and how does the actual Mortal Instruments come in to play at the very end of the story. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“As much as I truly enjoyed The Clockwork Angel, I can easily say that I absolutely loved The Clockwork Prince. This book was amazing from start to finish and I managed to read it in one sitting, only pausing long enough to eat a quick dinner. I could not put it down and now I am so very much looking forward to The Clockwork Princess being released. The ending is on a bit of a cliffhanger [which Clare is quite known to do] and I am glad I waited to read this series closer to the final book's release date.

“His beauty did not blaze like Will's did in fierce colors and repressed fire, but it had its own muted perfection, the loveliness of snow falling against a silver gray sky.”

You may remember from my review of The Clockwork Angel that I was unsure as to who I wanted Tessa to end up with, Will or Jem. Nothing has changed in the fact that I have fallen more in love with both of them, each have something different about them that makes them both wonderful. However I have now made a choice. Will, I love you... but I love Jem so much more.

“Your place is with me. It always will be.”

Unfortunately I have a feeling that my heart is going to be broken into a million little pieces. I know Tessa still loves Will, this is obvious so either she could break Jem's heart and go with Will still. Or, and this would shatter me completely, Jem could die. Even writing that makes my heart speed up faster and I feel sick to my stomach. I don't know if I will be able to recover if Cassandra Clare kills Jem. I will be broken.

But at the end of the day I know that either Will or Jem are going to be broken hearted and either way it is going to be so very sad. I do really love Will and I can see why Tessa still has feelings for him. Because in this book we have finally found out why Will always kept people at a distance and why outwardly he appeared to be so mean to them. Then when he was finally able to open his heart to Tessa, to tell her how he really feels, it all appears to be too late. The previous damage of being cruel and pushing her away has been done... Honestly in any other story he would be the most swoonworthy guy and please don't think I don't love him because I do. It is just for me, next to Jem, he is second best.

“Yes, she doesn't really look like either of us, does she? Perhaps she's a girl who's fallen madly in love with me and persists in following me wherever I go."

"My talent is shape-shifting, Will, not acting," said Tessa, and at that Jem laughed out loud.”

The story itself has continued on seamlessly from The Clockwork Angel. The shadowhunters are still trying to locate The Magister and to put a stop to the clockwork army they know he is creating. This book actually only covers a span of around two to three weeks which when you think about it, a lot happens in that short span of time. As mentioned above the ending is complete cliffhanger and I sat there for a minute just staring at the final page. I must say that it was difficult to refrain from starting this series earlier but I am so glad I did. It has been wonderful being able to go right into the next book once I am finished with the one prior. I am only having to wait a day before Clockwork Princess is due to be released.

“She had never imagined she had the power to make someone else so happy. And not a magical power, either--a purely human one.”

Tessa continued to impress me, as she did in book one. There are of course a few times where I questioned her thought process but overall I find her to be a strong character. She is never one to back down from a challenge and she is always putting herself and her ability out there to help when needed, thinking very little of the dangers involved. She simply wants to help her new found family and however she can do that she does, no questions asked.

“I feel myself dissolving, vanishing into nothingness, for if there is no one in the world who cares for you, do you really exist at all?”

Thankfully we are able to see even more of Magnus Bane. He is such a dynamic character and has been and always will be one of my favorites. He cares so deeply and wholeheartedly for those he calls his friends. He puts up a good show of trying to act indifferent but we all know what a softy he is. He also keeps the laughs coming...

“Did you just kiss me?" Will inquired.

Magnus made a slip-second decision. "No."

"I thought-"

"On occasion the aftereffects of the painkilling spells can result in hallucinations of the most bizarre sort."

"Oh," Will said. "How peculiar.”

Now, back to Jem (James Carstairs). Of course you already know I love him but I feel I need to expand just a bit about why that love runs so deep. Jem is probably the most caring, kind hearted and sweet character I have ever read. I honestly do not believe there to be a bad bone in his body. He stands up for his new family, he is devoted, he loves with all his heart, he is a great friend and dear God I really am going to never forgive Cassandra Clare if he ends up with a broken heart or worse... *sigh*

“I know," he said, looking down at himself self-consciously. "I am not-I mean, I look-"

"Beautiful," she said, and she meant it. "You look beautiful, James Carstairs.”

Okay, you probably understand my feelings now. I love this series, I love this book, I love Tessa, I love Will and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jem. Please if you haven’t read this series do not hesitate to start it. I am on countdown now to The Clockwork Princess and hopefully I will not need too many tissues to dry my tears. Please let there be a happy ending....

“He dropped his voice, so low that Tessa wasn’t sure if what he said next was real or part of the dream darkness rising to claim her, though she fought against it.

“I’ve never minded it,” he went on. “Being lost, that is. I had always thought one could not be truly lost if one knew one’s own heart. But I fear I may be lost without knowing yours.” He closed his eyes as if he were bone-weary, and she saw how thin his eyelids were, like parchment paper, and how tired he looked.

“Wo ai ni, Tessa,” he whispered.
“Wo bu xiang shi qu ni.”

She knew, without knowing how she knew, what the words meant.

I love you, Tessa.
And I don’t want to lose you.”

Christine
Rainy Day Reads
www.rainydayreads.com”

• Rated 5 stars

“I recommend the Clockwork Prince to anyone whos already read the 1st prequel (Of course...) this is great and somewhat suprising(very suprising,really.) Loved it! c:”

• Rated 0 stars

“The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series continues - and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.
Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?
Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.”

• Rated 5 stars

“amazing”

• Rated 5 stars

“Oh dear. Of course I love it. Clare has a way of writing that I just adore. Her characters are amazing. Her plot lines intricate and every book a page turner. But however will this end?? Who cares about Mortmain... Will has to get Tessa! They are madly in love! I just don't see how this will end well. They have to end up together, of course, but what about Jem? Will he die? Will he fall for Cecily? What??? Glad I waited until 2 weeks before the final installment comes out...”

• Rated 5 stars

“Great so far”