Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: December 6th, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 502
Format: NookBook
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Clockwork Angel
Age Group: Young Adult

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.

Cassandra Clare does not disappoint. I don't know how she does it but every time I read a novel from her I feel like I'm swept away into another world and I never want to leave.

The characters come to life in such a way that one can never forget them. The story is pure magic.

Clockwork Prince lives up to the name of its predecessors by being just as captivating and just as amazingly written.

Tessa, William, Jem, Charlotte, Henry, and the others are back and still on the hunt for the Magister. But now they are on the clock as the Lightwoods plan to take away the Institute from Charlotte and Henry, and Tessa is not willing for that to happen. But as they get deeper they discover that traitors are among them and obstacles that will prove harder to move.

I just got goose bumps reading this novel. I felt like the stakes became much higher and the closer they got to one thing the further away their true destination became.

And the romance. Oh my goodness. I didn't actually believe the Second Book Hatred - this idea that everyone hates the second book in a trilogy because they always tear the two leading couples away from each other. But as it turns out, there was some truth to it.

I'm a little afraid how book three will turn out (though I have my suspicions) but Clare has proved time and time again that not all is written in black and white.

I loved this book the most, I feel, because we finally get a bigger picture of William. I am so glad that I didn't have to wait until the last book in order to find out who William is on the inside, and I felt so bad for him.

I was a little upset with Tessa, because I felt like she was toying with two hearts and not even realizing it. I know she probably never meant to do it on purpose but it also seemed like she had this difficult time putting her foot down and setting boundaries.

Overall, this novel was great. I loved every second and I was upset that it ended so soon. I was even more upset with myself when I realized that the third book wouldn't be out until March, especially since I always avoid reading the book until the last one comes out (reason why my break from TMI) but I just couldn't wait any longer.

And now I have to suffer even more.

There were a lot of "OMG's" and being a little over-dramatic during the reading. I think there was even a moment I cried out, "This book is ruining my life!"

If you have yet to read Cassie Clare and the wonderful world she created, get on it! You cannot miss another moment of this wonderful world and the wonderful characters and the wonderful plot-line and the wonderful everything!

You have no idea what you are missing out on.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 479
Format: NookBook
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all

It's not a secret that Cassandra Clare is my woman; The Mortal Instrument series is one of the best books that have walked into my life. And now I can get more!! While I'm waiting for the movie and the last book in TMI, I started this series. I told myself that I wouldn't read it until I finished TMI, but I had bought it and I couldn't just let it sit there on my Nook, along with the other unread books on my Nook, completely neglected. And not to mention I was going through Shadowhunter withdrawal and they say that patience is virtue (sadly I'm going to hell because patience is not in my vocabulary) so took my chances and just started this novel.

And I loved it! Cassandra Clare is amazing in just about everything and you can still hear the wonderful voice that she presents in TMI even here.

Tessa was amazing. She took everything that happened to her in stride, even discovering who she was.

It took me a moment (and possibly some online research) in order to remind myself who was who and what family names were still there. Like the Lightwoods and the Wayland and Heronald, and all the other names that I can't think of right now.

There was action in every corner and the story gets complicated and intriguing at every step of the way. I was biting my nail and hoping for the best. I was freaking out (and it didn't help that I was reading this at night) and overall, I just didn't want the story to end!

Will is a lot like Jace (stubborn, loving in the most difficult way) but there were moments of him that I was really shocked by the way he behaved. He was like Jace only ten times worse. It was like he refused to be loved or let anyone know him. I think it'll be really interesting getting into his mind.

Jem and Tessa and Charlotte were my favorite three. I absolutely couldn't stand Jessamine. I tried to understand her and see it from her point of view, but it was not easy looking passed her selfish nature.

And like always, Clare has a way to keep us all on our toes. Some of the surprises were just that, surprises. I didn't see a lot of it coming and even now as I tried to come up predictions for book two, I have a feeling that Clare will lead me down one road and just when I think I'm getting to the end of it...BAM! Hits me with something I was not prepared for.

I'm so excited and I just wish this series weren't a trilogy (what can I say, Clare spoils us too much).

I'm so giddy right now I can't even explain. At least I won't have to wait a year for the last book (unlike some other series *cough*TMI*cough*) so it'll be interesting to see how things will work out!