Clockwork Prince

Infernal Devices Series Book 2
Cassandra Clare
http://cassandraclare.com/

'I feel myself diminished, parts of me spiraling away into the darkness, that which is good and honest and true - If you hold it away from yourself long enough, do you lose it entirely? If no one cares for you at all, do you even really exist?'

Will Herondale to Magnus, the Warlock

The Magister is still out there and the Enclave has no idea what his next move is. To make matters worse, the institute is being threatened by the ambitions of Benedict Lightwood. At a meeting of the Clave, Lightwood challenges Charlotte for her seat as head of the institute. The leader of the Clave gives Charlotte two weeks to find the Magister in order to prove herself. The task seems impossible, but the group of Nephilim warriors band around their leader. The group figures out that the Magister is motives are more then just greed and power. He is on a mission to avenge the death of his adopted demon parents. They are lead to the Magister's birthplace and were not prepared for what they found.

Meanwhile, we find out a bit about what lead Will to the institute and why he is always playing the devil's advocate. As a child he accidently freed a demon and was cursed. The demon said anyone who loved Will was destined to die. For 5 years, Will has pushed away the people he loves to protect them from his curse. Meeting Tessa changed everything for him. He realized he could no longer live that way. He couldn't keep hurting her, even for her own good. He searches for the demon who cursed him with the help of Magnus, the warlock. However, Tessa turns to Jem after being hurt by Will in the last book and their friendship begins to blossom into something more.

As usual, things are not what they seem. The characters we love go through many ups and down. Betrayal is eminent. I love the way that, as a reader, I am forced to see the story from different views. Just like life, things are not always easy as 'right or wrong' or 'good and bad'. Even in the case of the Magister. He is obviously 'evil' but anyone who has experienced real loss in their life, especially at the hands of injustice could almost sympathize him. Then there is Will. Despite his brash and semi self-destructive behavior, it is hard not to love him. Is Tessa wrong for forming a relationship with Jem even though she has reluctant feelings for Will? Is she being fair to Jem, even if she does choose him? The only other choice would be to give into her feelings for Will and hurt Jem in the process. That doesn't seem right either. It's a situation where there is no right answer. No matter what she does, some one will get hurt.



I'm sure it's obvious that I have fallen in love with this series. I feel like this is an example of art that emulates life. We all have demons in our past that we must face and difficult choices to make. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we let people down. Sometimes we are the ones who are let down. It's not always easy to stay true to yourself and even the best intentions lead us astray. I look forward to reading 'The Mortal Instruments' Series. I am officially a fan of Cassandra Clare.

Clockwork Angel

Infernal Devices Series Book 1
Cassandra Clare
http://cassandraclare.com/

 In a world where fiction is ruled by vampires, witches and werewolves, the 'Clockwork Angel' offered a much needed reprieve from the norm. I was instantly attracted by the steam punk vibe and promises of timeless adventure.

 When Tessa arrived in London fresh of the boat from America, she was just a naïve and timid girl looking to reunite with her brother Nate, the only family she had left in the world. When she was  met at the docks by the Dark Sisters, she was suddenly thrown into a world where impossibilities were the norm and freedom seemed to be just a dream. Tessa was forced to master a gift she didn't even know she had and was being prepared to be married to a man known only as the Magister.

Just when Tessa was sure all hope was lost she was rescued by a handsome though sharp tongued young man and introduced to a world where angels known as shadowhunters protected the good from evil. Though Tessa is saved from the horrible Dark Sister's, her adventures have just begun as she searches for her brother. She is left with many unanswered questions. Who is she? What is she? Why is the Magister determined to marry her? Luckily she has the help of her new Nephilim friends to find the answers she need.

Tessafeels alone in her new world and doesn't know who to trust, but it isn't long before she find a family among the misfit warriors who took her in. She find herself drawn to Will in particular though he seems to be a mystery she may never solve.

 The story is obviously about the on going war between good and evil, but their world is anything but black and white. I think it's the gray area's in the story that make it the most interesting. Though Cassandra Clare paints a beautiful scene and her plot is both imaginative and suspenseful, it is her strong characters that have truly made me fall in love with this book. As an older and hopefully wiser woman, I find Jem with his mild manners and limitless patience a more appropriate companion, Though I can still understand Tessa's attraction to the incorrigibly mischievous young Nephilim warrior who rescued her from the Dark House.

 I enjoyed this book so much. I felt like I had been transformed into another time and place. I have not been truly surprised by a story in a long time. This book has all my favorite ingredients. Mystery, Romance and Action. It's the perfect combination. Like chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers.  The twists in this book left me joyously dizzy and by the end I wanted more. In fact I think I will start reading the next book, 'The Clockwork Prince' right now.