Monday, October 31, 2011

Book Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCE (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

*SPOILER-FREE* (There may be spoilers for the first book, Clockwork Angel, though.)

GOODREADS PAGE
I nearly had a heart attack when I got the email that I won an ARC of Clockwork Prince, because Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to read this book!! (It comes out December 6th, and it you haven't read Clockwork Angel, you should, then get CP when it comes out!)

This review might be a little vague,  but I won't risk spoiling it for anyone because this is one of those books that has you yelling at it or laughing obnoxiously loud or crying at regular intervals and deserves to be read un-spoiled!

Tessa is a great heroine and my understanding of her and all the characters really grew with this book, which is something a great sequel should do. As my love of the characters grew and the plot unfolded I became more and more concerned as it become abundantly clear that this story CAN NOT end happily for everyone.Dun dun dun.

After reading the first book I was a little unsure on the Will/Jem issue. I was probably 60% Will and 40% Jem. The farther I got in CP, the more certain I was of my choice... and by the time I was done reading I had made my decision...

I've read other reviews and I've heard it described as "Jem's book" and to a point this is quite true. A lot of Will's story is revealed and he is certainly in the book, but Jem really shines. I liked Jem more in this book than I did the last . . . but not for Tessa. My personal opinion is that Tessa should end up with Will. Anyone else who's read it, I'm curious to know if your team changed while reading CP?

Something else I must say: I honestly was not aware that I could love Magnus Bane any more than I already did. I WAS WRONG. Every scene he is in, every line he says (*thinks of one line in particular and laughs out loud*) was funny and wonderful. And Magnus and Will's relationship? Priceless. Literally, it belongs in a MasterCard commercial.

I liked finding out more about the Lightwood family and their storyline. And I was also pleased with what happened with Sophie and with Jessamine. And Charlotte and Henry too. The way the relationships continue to unfold was very well done all around.

I also thought that the book was much more romance-centric than it was concerned with their continued quest to find Mortmain. At least, it appeared that way. There was action and other stuff; maybe it's just that the romance aspect was so WHOA that nothing else compared haha. So, yeah, I absolutely loved it. It has to be one of my favorite sequels ever, and I'm not even sure what to do with my life until Clockwork Princess comes out.

And that leads me to the last thing I wanted to mention . . . the ending. *Sighs*

I read the book in one night, but I put it down for an hour when I had about a 100 pages left because that was the point where I thought "one of these characters whom I love so much is literally going to get there soul squished into a puddle of broken-hearted goo, aren't they? Oh dear. I don't think I can face reading that." And I was right . . . The last few chapters I read with tears and oh-so attractive globs, GLOBS, of mascara streaming down my face. THE PAIN, I TELL YOU! It was . . . not an ending I expected. I kind of loved it. And hated it. And wanted to kill Tessa. And Cassie. But not really. I don't even know. All I know is that I am SO NERVOUS about what Ms. Clare is going to do to these poor characters in the last book. So, so nervous. However, I trust her and believe that she will do what is right for the characters and story.

There is a pretty big cliffhanger as well, however it didn't really bother me/excite me. Too many other WTF things had just happened for the actual cliffhanger to have much affect, to be honest.

In conclusion: it rocked. It was an emotional roller coaster and unpredictable and gorgeous and a truly spectacular sequel. That stomped on my heart.

- Nicole

17 comments:

  1. I read an ARC from the giveaway from Goodreads too! I should probably post my review on someplace other than Goodreads to show people haha. But I do agree with your statement about how this is more of Jem's book, but not completely. We do see more of him in this book than in CA, and we definitely see more sides of him as well. But I don't think Will's to be left behind, either, since we find out all about why he is the way he is and how that gets resolved. And as for Tessa, I don't really hate her, but she's not my favorite, either. And that cliffhanger! It was okay, I guess, since it wasn't as bad as the first book's.

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  2. thanks for commenting! so are you team Will or Jem?

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  3. I just read your review and I am absolutely dying to find out what happens in CP!!! After reading the first book I was on team Will. I loved Jem but there was always something about Will that made him seem perfect for Tessa, even if he wouldn't admit it himself! Im so excited to read the next book but I'm also dreading finding out who gets hurt or heart broken! :o
    Your review was great as it made me desperate to find out what happens but you didn't give a lot away! Eek!

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  4. Christy, thanks so much for the great compliment! Team Will forever <3 haha

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  5. Awesome review. I can't wait until it comes out. I already pre-ordered the B&N exclusive collectors edition and pre-ordered for my Nook so I can start it right away. I have to say that I am team Jem.

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  6. I'm on team will too, Hahaha I have only read Clockwork Angel, I'mm waiting and right when December comes i'm getting it! literally I feel the same way you do like I don't know what to do with myself until i read the next book i read all the mortal instruments so far but I have to wait 6 more months for the 5th book to come out D: & then I have to wait till 2013 for the last one then I don't even know when the 3rd book Clockwork Princess comes out those books are my life<333333 & i'm glad i'm not the only one that feels the same way you do and we both have the same name haha.

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  7. omg im am soo getting cp i am team will all the way <3 and i dont want his heart to broken so i really needa read this and i cant wait to no why he is the way he is!!!! <3

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  8. Awsome review! Just enough to peek interest and seriously worry readers buy no spoilers. Awsome job :) You have me seriously worried and seriously excited to read CP. I am so glad that it comes out on my holidays and I won't have to be on the train to University and everyone watching me ball about sad parts. Again awsome review :)

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  9. Great review! I've read Clockwork Prince and agree 100% about Team Will. Glad to know I'm not the only one who needs therapy after this book. The wait for Clockwork Princess is going to be agonizing.

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  10. Wow!! now I cannot wait for it to come out! I can't believe I have to wait another month!! :(
    Team Will <3

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  11. AWESOME review! I totally agree about Magnus. I didn't think I could love him any more than I already did, but WOW he stole my heart all over again. He was one of my favorites in CP!

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  12. This has literally made me want to read the book even more! I cannot wait. I just finished Lili St. Crow's series The Strange Angels and let me tell you, I can not handle anymore heartbreak! I LOVE Will so I am very nervous to see what happens. Thanks for the great review!

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  13. OK Im just curious, you would be the best person in the world if you could answer me because nobody else will ! :( They took the first chapter down but they have a couple lines about some guy helping Tessa over a puddle and I need to know who that is !? Its driving me crazy, I don't need the whole chapter I just need to know that one part haha so if you could tell me you will go in my book of awesome!? :) lol

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  14. Wessa. Will and Tessa. That's where it's at. and OMG, u were crying too at the RIDICULOUS ending, too?????? I am not the only one, YEAH!!!!!!!!! If Will and Tessa do NOT happen, I'm gonna strangle someone! probably my friend who's team Jessa!!! I cannot survive until sept.6 in TWO YEARS!!!!!!! i cannot believe i will not read clockwork princess until TWO FREAKING YEARS FROM NOW!!!!!! that's insane.
    Team Wessa. that's where its at!!!!!!!!
    p.s. how did u get an ARC becaz i would totally kill for an ARC of clockwork princess!!!! just saying....
    ALSO,im gonna keep praying for will and tessa cuz if they don't end up together SOMEONE GONNA GET IT!!!!!!!!!

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  15. Ahhhh Will and Tessa for sure!!! One girl said that Will is like a puzzle and putting that puzzle together is what makes him so interesting! I do not think Tessa actually loves Jem, I think there is more of sympathy love rather than love love (that she feels for Will).
    I must add that there are very few books that bring out emotions in me, but THIS!!! I had to get a new book because one was soaked with tears! I never cried so hard over a book and especially that ending Will and Tessa moment (Will being too late) (don't want to give anything away just in case)
    and that was not the only part I cried over.
    I just hope that Will and Tessa will be together, he has suffered enough and deserves to be with the one he loves.

    Also... So websites say Clockwork Princess will be released September, 2013 and then another one says November/December 2012.... Which one is it?

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  16. i don't know. becaz on cassandra clare's website is says NO SET RELEASE DATE. but on her tentative release dates it says Dec 2012. AND on ALL these websites like goodreads, etc. it says clockwork princess is Dec. 2012
    Spo. im sticking with dec 2012 becaz its closer ;)
    WESSA!!!!!!!!! (WILL +TESSA)

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  17. I dont hate Will at all, but I honestly prefer her with Jem. And dont you think its weird that even though Will and Gabriel hate each other, their decendants (Jace and Alec) end up being parabatai? I think its pretty ironic. And btw, I think thats Jem on the cover. Because the person is holding a walking stick with a dragon head, and anyone who has read the book will know that Jem owns a walking stick with a dragon head. But anyway, I cant wait for this book to come out. Im sure i will positively love it!!!!!!!

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