Clockwork Princess Review and Impressions

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Brief Synopsis (without Spoilers)

            What to say about this wonderful book? Cassandra Clare has done it again. She has kept her readers caught up in the amazing, beautiful world of Victorian London. We meet up again with Jem, Tessa and Will as they battle to stop the Magister at his dangerous game to harm the shadowhunter race. The story opens with Tessa getting ready for her nuptials with James Carstairs. She should be happy, ready to marry the love of her life. But, their engagement is over shadowed ; not only by James failing health, but also by the magister need to get his hands on Tessa. The Magister will stop at nothing to get to her. The book takes us through the ups and downs of Will’s emotions as he battles to not only keep Tessa safe ; but, to keep his emotions hidden. He is sure that Tessa does not love him; and is happy to hide his feelings if it means that is best friend and parabatai from being hurt. The story finds Jem fighting for his life after the drug he needs to sustain it is in short supply. The Magister does this in hopes to lure Tessa out into the open; by putting Jem’s life in danger he ensures that she will come to him. He also knows that Tessa is a the missing piece to his plot; and will allow him to seek the revenge he so desperately craves. Once he is assured that even the shortage of Jem’s drug; well not lure Tessa out into the open. He takes advantage of Jessie’s return to the institute. Using automatons the Magister attacks the Institute; resulting in the death of Jessie and the kidnapping of Tessa. Jem is gravely injured, weakened due to his sickness and not likely to recover. He grants Will permission to go after Tessa. While on his mission to find Tessa ; Will and Jem’s bond is severed.  Even though his Parabatai is dead Will soldiers on determined to find the woman he loves. Meanwhile back at the institute Charlotte is trying to convince the Consul to help them. She has reliable information from Will of the whereabouts of the Magister. The Consul makes it very clear that he is unwilling to trust or help Charlotte; mainly because he wants to protect his own position and power within the Clave. With no backup the Shadowhunters of the London Institute must go it alone. The fight side by side and are joined by the Silent Brothers. It is; in fact, revealed that Jem has become a Silent Brother. He does so as a means of saving not only himself; but, so that he can help fight and save those he loves. Of course, the Shadowhunters prevail;  with the help of the Angel Ithuriel, who was trapped in the Clockwork Angel.

Impression:

            Cassandra Clare is one hell of a writer. Her work is always impressive; and it always draws you in. The same is true of this series and especially this book. I fell head over heels in love with several of the characters of this series. It was heart breaking to part with them. Of course, I know that Magnus,  Tessa and now Jem will be seen in other books. (And in fact Jem has already been seen in The Mortal Instruments Series.)  What I loved the most about this series is the setting and the attention to detail. Clare really makes you feel like you are walking the streets of London with Will, Jem and Tessa. She uses the time period to create a beautiful atmosphere that is believable and beautiful. I love the fact that in this story, there is sexual tension between Will and Tessa; and Tessa and Jem. They are all romance and restraint and that is not something that we get to see in some many books these days. I hope she writes more period pieces; this one was wonderful.

Favorite Scene:

Gideon’s Proposal to Sophie; I really did not know that Gideon had so much Darcy in him. It was so beautifully rewritten. I was so happy for the couple. I would have loved to see more happen between Gabriel and Cecily.

Water Works Moments:

Jem and Tessa’s farewell: This was the worst scene I could have ever read. It made me ball. I have been in love with James Carstairs (Jem) since he was first introduced. I always found him to be the more interesting of the two boys. The was calm and steady; romantic and haunting beautiful. His departure from Tessa was hard. I felt so sorry for him because he was losing the woman that he loved so that he could live.

Will’s Death: This was an unexpected surprise for me. I think that it was because It was not until the end; when it seemed like Tessa was really truly happy with Will that I came to terms like this cocky boy actually having some really emotions. I personally was not always a fan of Will’s; he has a little too much Jace in him; but he was likeable enough.