Clockwork Princess
(The Infernal Devices 3)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2013
Genre: YA Steampunk
Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD
Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.
Tessa’s heart is split in two. Even with all the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations and with patient and loving Jem by her side, every time those deep blue eyes lock with hers, the ground tilts. But she loves Jem and she’s made a promise. Tessa wonders, “How could three people who cared for one another so much cause one another so much pain?” To love is to hurt and to love two people is to hurt twice as much. It’s never been truer with this trio.
Will’s pain at Tessa and Jem’s engagement is a hard thing to hide, but he’s trying his best for the sake of his parabatai. He loves Jem so much and loves Tessa so much, he’s laid down his heart and is ready to endure any and all hurt if it means they will be happy. But when the situation escalates, he will have to make a choice between taking care of his parabatai and going to save Tessa.
Jem’s condition has been getting worse, but he’s kept quiet not wanting to worry his fiancé or his parabatai. An unexpected collapse makes him realize he doesn’t have much time left. Will is determined to renew his search for a possible cure and Tessa wants to help. But all that Jem sees is the two people he loves hurting because of him. A life changing decision is upon him.
I won’t get into any more details, because the tiniest thing might be a spoiler. It has been a wild and incredible ride through Victorian London with Will, Jem, Tessa and the others. In this last book we get to know more about Gideon, his brother Gabriel, and Will’s sister Cecily. The lightwood boys are stubborn and charming. If they’ve been wrong before is because they didn’t know any better. Cecily is as fierce as they come, and she certainly gives Will a run for his money in the crazy battle moves category. The Herondales seem to carry that ferocious battle instinct in their blood. Other characters that return are Charlotte, who’s become a brave leader, Henry who at last makes something that works, Sophie who decides to forget her scars and give love a chance, Bridget whose song’s though morbid I’ll always remember, and Magnus who gave the most heartfelt speech ever and made me tear up. That’s when you know shit’s gone real, when the hilarious warlock is making you cry.
Those last chapters I both wanted to read faster and slow down. I wanted to know what happened, but knowing would mean it would end! They were exciting, heartbreaking, and pretty much every flavor of awesome. And by the Angel, I’d forgotten how evil and misogynistic the Consul was. His end scene was one of the most beautiful things ever. His and Mortmain’s.
Then came Epilogue and it was just perfect. An honorable ending to a great Shadowhunter and a great character. I realized, I’d never read about a character death that was so beautiful and peaceful. Time-skip that and then one last heartfelt surprise. All I’ll say is, authors (myself included) take note: This is how love triangles should be written!
There were tears, laughs, shaking of fists, but lots of smiles all around. If this was my reaction to the end of The Infernal Devices, I don’t even want to know how it’ll be for the end of The Mortal Instruments. I think I’ll need a chocolate IV, mint chocolate chip ice-cream with every meal, and an immediate re-read of the series.
Favorite Quotes:
~Wedding Dress~
“You don’t think I can fight,” Tessa said, drawing back and matching his silvery gaze with her own. “Because I’m a girl.”“I don’t think you can fight because you’re wearing a wedding dress,” said Jem. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Will could fight in that dress either.”
“Perhaps not,” said Will, who had ears like a bat’s. “But I would make a radiant bride.”
~Words~
“I know how you are with your words, and, Will—I love all of them. Every word you say. The silly ones, the mad ones, the beautiful ones, and the ones that are only for me. I love them, and I love you.”
