Release Date: December 6, 2011
Reviewed by: AmyG (big sis)
Sister's Say: Stunningly Perfect
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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.
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I was unbelievably lucky enough to receive an ARC from Cassandra Clare and Simon & Schuster which led to much fan-girl squeeing, happy dancing and jumping for joy! I received a couple of concerning looks from the other members of my family as to why I was freaking out to this extent over a book. However, if you are reading this blog, I am guessing you are a YA fanatic like me and totally understand my complete joy over receiving this much anticipated novel!
You know that feeling of finally returning home after you have been on a trip for several days? The type of trip that ends with a long drive, and those last few hours of highway seem to keep multiplying. From the moment I cracked open this book, that was the feeling I was overwhelmed with. I felt like I had come home again after a long journey. Most people that know me, know that I love Cassandra Clare (and Jace), and love might be too weak of a word! Something about her writing calls to me, and just clicks with my personality. She has gone far beyond my expectations with Clockwork Prince. As I say above, it is stunningly perfect!!!
At the end of Clockwork Angel, we were left with many questions. My main question was, what the heck is going on with Will? I wanted to love him him in CA, then he would do something that made me question whether I had judged him correctly! I like my boys broken, and they don't come anymore broken than Mr. Herondale. To my abiding joy, Cassie answers those questions in CP, and not on the last page of the novel! It was wonderful to have those answers almost immediately. It seems to be a mighty feat to be able to produce a successful 2nd novel in a series. Many times we don't find out enough information, and its basically just a huge setup for the finale. Clockwork Prince is not that way in the least. I was overjoyed by how many questions we actually got answered.
Another unique quality of Cassie's writing is her ability to build a character. Her novels are all in 3rd person and are deeply character driven. Every character is distinctly different, and they seem to come to life right before your eyes. After reading this, I feel like I genuinely know and have a substantial insight into what makes each character tick. (ha!) We find out more about every single character, and even get to see a different side of Magnus that makes me only love him more. The insights don't stop with the characters either. So much more of the Shadowhunter world is revealed especially what all encompasses a parabatai relationship. I can't wait to go back and read all the other novels in light of this new knowledge!
I know that Cassie promised a Dirty Sexy Balcony Scene, but just let me say there is so much more where that came from! If you like the kissing (from both boys), you will be bursting with giddiness through this book!!! I will also say, hands down, that this is the best love triangle that exists in written words to date! I am so utterly torn. One moment I want her to be with Will because of his emotional brokenness, and the next moment I'm routing for Jem because of his physical brokenness. All three of them deserve to be happy, but I'm worried our hearts and theirs will be broken either way! Its ripping my heart out!
Through the pages, I experienced the entire gamut of emotions. I laughed, cried, loved and was terrified at moments. I love novels that make me feel and boy did I get exactly what I wanted! After it was all over, I couldn't stop crying! Ms. Clare gives us exactly what we all want in the novel, but just puts her classic spin on it! I am simultaneously overjoyed and aggrieved at the same time! Its a beautiful book, full of everything that encompasses wonderful in a novel. It is honestly one of the best books I have ever read!!! Absolute perfection!!!
