Book Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 502

Genre: YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: December 6, 2011

Source: Personal Copy

Series: Clockwork Angel (#1)

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather."

Clockwork Prince picks up where Clockwork Angel left off and we are once again thrown into the captivating world of magical Victorian London.  Tessa is living with the Shadowhunters and trying to figure out her powers, why she has them, and what she is exactly.  There's still a lot of tension, both romantic and dramatic, brewing between her and bad-boy Will and she also gets closer with nice guy Jem.  Readers learn more about Will's past, specifically why he acts the way he does and his life before joining the Shadowhunters.  Readers also witness a romantic relationship grow and blossom between Jem and Tessa, despite the fact that he has a disease which is inevitably going to cause his untimely death.  Cassandra Clare's second installment in The Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Prince, is outstanding. It's entertaining, it has its laugh-out-loud moments, a ton of action and a delicious love triangle. I highly recommend this series.

Tessa is a fun heroine that throws caution to the wind and although she sort of drove me nuts at times in Clockwork Prince with her whole which-boy-do-I-choose act, I found her to be entertaining nonetheless. Which leads me to Jem and Will. *sigh* After Clockwork Angel, I was really confused as to what team I am on and if possible, I am STILL a bit undecided, but of course, I am ultimately leaning towards Will.  The reason why this love triangle actually works (and doesn't annoy the heck out of me) is the fact that I GET why Tessa is confused as I am confused myself. They are both great guys in their own right and Will slowlys garnered my sympathy in Clockwork Prince because we learn more about his past (his family), why he is surly and why he pushes people away.  Lastly, you can't help but feel for Jem with his whole sickness and the fact that he just soooo good despite that. How could you possibly be mean to Jem?

Clockwork Angel was immensely captivating, but I found Clockwork Prince to be even better; in fact, I think I like this series (so far!) even more than Clare's Mortal Instruments.  One reason I really enjoy this series is the fact that it takes place in Victorian London. I am a huge sucker for anything taking place during this time period and Clare brings it to life, including some of the social conventions that of course Tessa doesn't follow.  Plus, the setting of a magical London is just plain fun.

As I have said before, Claire is an expert storyteller. She can make me angry and frustrated with Tessa in one scene, make me cry over Jem in the next, and then make me laugh out loud at Will's hilarious and sarcastic comments. She's brilliant and I feel that Clockwork Prince really exhibits her talent beautifully. 

I had other books that I planned on reading after I finished Clockwork Prince, but I quickly forgot about my TBR list and immediately picked up Clockwork Princess because I just HAD TO KNOW how the trilogy is going to end. So, in sum, if you like historical fiction mixed in with fantasy and you want to read a series that is all-consuming, I highly recommend Clare's The Infernal Devices. You won't be disappointed.