Series: The Infernal Devices #3
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on 19 March 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Steampunk, Young Adult
Pages: 592
Source: Kindle Purchase
Buy on Amazon |
As Jem is getting sicker, Tessa tries her best to stay positive, and maybe try to push the date of their wedding up a little. At the same time, Will is brooding, never letting anyone know what he's feeling - even his sister is still in the dark about most things about him. The Institute is going through some difficult patches, and Charlotte has do use all her wit to make sure she can keep the people she loves close by.
The Clockwork Princess starts with a prologue, and ends with an epilogue. Especially the prologue feels a little out of place, and even if it made sense to mention what happens there, it also confused me and made it take longer before I made it into the actual story. Usually, if there is either a prologue or an epilogue, it’s to add important information to the story that doesn’t really fit into the main-frame, however, especially the prologue felt too out of place, and the epilogue could have easily been a part of the actual story. Clockwork Princess picks up very shortly after the end of Clockwork Prince, and Jem is still not doing very well. Will is still being Will, and he is doing what he can to keep his distance from Tessa now that she and Jem are engaged.
At the beginning of Clockwork Princess, Tessa is trying on her wedding gown, and at that moment, Gabriel Lightwood shows up to get help with his father, and Will’s predictions come true. Tessa insists on coming with her Shadowhunter friends, and what they find at the Lightwood manor is utter destruction! Gideon and Gabriel’s father has transformed into a kind of demon-snake, and he has just killed their sister’s husband and is wreaking havoc in the whole garden. They all need to fight together, and Henry is with them to see if he can find any clues in Lightwood’s office. What he finds there are chilling words about a clockwork army, and some demons that have to be killed. As Tessa shows up to help, her wedding gown ends up completely ruined.
There is a lot going on in Clockwork Princess, there are the usual intrigues, the fights with the council, people not wanting Charlotte to be influential, Mortmer and his clockwork creatures, Jem and his illness, and – the saving grace of all – Magnus Bane! I have to admit I felt quit removed from the characters I had grown to love in Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince, the writing was a little rushed, and it seemed to me as if the main plot was to make sure all the readers would be happy. And that did quite the opposite to me, actually. I was not happy with Tessa and her personal relationships – it all felt kind of too easy, even through the heartache and difficulties that were going on. And instead of Mortmer and the Clockwork army being the focal point of the storyline, it was actually Tessa and her romantic choices that were at the forefront.
Also, there was a lot of speculating about Jem after Clockwork Prince, and also after City of Lost Souls, and frankly, when fans can figure out some things about books several months before the release date, maybe the foreshadowing has been a little too much on the heavy side? I was not intrigued by much in this, apart from maybe being a little happy to finally find out what Tessa really is – but it was a little anti-climatic, and it didn’t really seem all that important. The only character who thought it was important was Mortmer, and that’s it. Everybody else kind of shrugged it off, thinking that now that they knew, it was all good.
There were several plot-points that felt like cop-outs to me, and I will put those in spoiler tags – I don’t want to take any enjoyment away from my fellow readers. View Spoiler » Remember that if you open those spoiler tags – you WILL be spoiled! All in all, it just felt like this whole book was to wrap the Infernal Devices up neatly, and it was almost too neatly done. With a silky bow on top – and a story without too much that could make conflict among the series fans.
I’m sure a lot of readers will be extremely pleased with Clockwork Princess, though, and I kind of feel like a party-pooper for not loving it. But it is what it is, and I truly didn’t enjoy it all that much. However, fans of the series, and of the whole Shadowhunter universe will like it, and of course, the writing is good – it’s just that the storyline and the overall plot-points didn’t really appeal to me in this one.
I don’t think you’re a party pooper 🙂 I much prefer an honest review like this one to a wishy-washy one that only points out what was good. I’m going to add this series to my too long list but will start from the beginning because I am easily confused.
I have really enjoyed this series, but this last one… oh well.
Have you read The Mortal Instruments? There are some things that are common to that series and this one.
Thanks for stopping by Laurie 🙂
Hm, when the last one sucks, oh well
I’m not in the majority with my review, though… you might wan to read some other reviews before you decide if you want to read it yourself 🙂
I really loved this series. Great review on this one. I think you brought up some really good points and even made me think about a few things I hadn’t really thought about myself. 🙂
Thanks Chelsea 🙂
Hi,
I’ve seen so many reviews of this book and most people loved it. I loved it myself but it’s not surprising to see there a people who don’t like it. I always love an honest review and I agree that it’s easier to like the book if you’ve loved the whole series. I’m also your newest follower! I would really appreciate it if you could come over to my blog to check it out and if you like it, you can follow me as well. I blog about my favourite music and books hence the name Music Plus Books.
Thank you and good luck,
Music Plus Books
– Laura
Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by, and for the lovely comment! I’ll be sure to follow your blog as well 🙂
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it, Lexxie, it happens and worse still when people love it go all fangirl/boy it’s like “what did I miss?”. For this one I was all gushy and loved it, but I understand what you’re saying about it being all rather convenient. I felt that the Jessamine scene was too easy
I’m really glad you loved it, Katja! It’s always much more satisfying to read a series end and just feel like everything added up perfectly 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
As weird as this may sound, I’m kind of relieved not to read another 5-star review for this one. I haven’t read the series yet…chiefly because I was pretty underwhelmed (and also majorly in the minority) with Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. I know what you mean about the ending being too nicely wrapped up for your liking too – I read a series like that recently o.O Anyways I’m glad you enjoyed the series overall but sorry the last one was a bit of a bummer! Thanks for the honest and insightful review girl 🙂
Nice review. I totally agree with you concerning feeling that some things were a cop-out. It’s funny, but the epilogue stood out to me, I actually forgot what was written in the prologue! Overall I enjoyed it though. I gave it 4 out of 5. If you have a moment, check out my review.
http://www.shelfaddiction.com/1/post/2013/05/clockwork-princess-the-infernal-devices-3-by-cassandra-clare.html#.UYzFsLU3vzw