This being the second in The Infernal Devices trilogy, there is very very little I could say to explain this book to you and keep it spoiler-free. That being said, Clockwork Prince picks up and continues full speed ahead after Clockwork Angel…
Clockwork Angel…
Sixteen year old Tessa Gray wants nothing less that to move to the dull sky and rain-filled London after her dear Aunt has passed away. Upon her arrival, Tessa expects to be greeted by her loving and handsome brother, but only meets a horrible introduction to the Shadow World and her life changes directly in front of her eyes.
William Herondale and James Carstairs are blood brothers, parabatai, willing to do anything to help the other and keep them out of harms way. Both have a mix of human, a.k.a. mundane, and angel blood giving them the sight and skill to track and kill demons. The ability grants them the occupation of a Shadowhunter and allows them to befriend and protect Tessa in her struggle to find the answer of her true bloodline.
Set in Victorian London during the late 1800’s, the story Cassandra Clare gives us is a spectacular start to a trilogy already proven to capture the hearts of millions.
Side Note: this is the start of a prequel series to The Mortal Instruments series, and while reading TMI before this trilogy might give you a better understanding of the Shadow World, everything you need to know is explained and introduced in this novel as if it was being mentioned for the first time.
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Out of the prequel trilogy, this was my least favorite. That doesn’t have to say for any of the writing or the plot or the story or the characters. Its simply that the other two books were really really really good, and this one was only really good. AGAIN, this book was absolutely phenomenal! My opinion should not draw you away form this book at all!!!
That being said, there is this beautiful twist of things that happens between characters and you can truly see just how much they all love each other. It continues the theme of bloodlines from the first book, and there were so many places in this where I sincerely wanted to cry (and one where I actually had was crying).
Cassandra’s writing continues to amaze me. I, in every other series that I read, get so scared that its gonna end poorly or that the author is gonna take a totally different turn or kill someone and screw up everything. I NEVER have to worry with Cassy Clare’s writing. She always has there beautiful ribbons tying up everything at the end, and with middle books like this one, she keeps you engaged and fully attentive to what is happening to the characters. There is no author I could recommend more.
I said this in my Clockwork Angel review, but I would like to reiterate it…
The best way to read all of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series are in publication order:
- City of Bones (TMI-Book 1)
- City of Ashes (TMI-Book 2)
- City of Glass (TMI-Book 3)
- Clockwork Angel (TID-Book 1)
- City of Fallen Angels (TMI-Book 4)
- Clockwork Prince (TID-Book 2)
- City of Lost Souls (TMI-Book 5)
- Clockwork Princess (TID-Book 3)
- City of Heavenly Fire (TMI-Book 6)
I know that this may be harder than expected, especially considering this book isn’t until number six, but, if they are read this way, no series will be spoiled for each other, so many references will be understood, and there is maximum laughter and heartbreak. It is awe-inspiring.
Go read. Its really cool. I promise.
“It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.” -Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Prince
-Alexandra
P.S. If you have read this book and want to hear my thoughts on it WITH SPOILERS, the link below will bring you to my youtube video, made specifically to rant about this book:
inkonthewillow 