Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

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Clockwork Princess
by Cassandra Clare
(Audio)

Every doubt I had was put to rest. Every question I had was addressed. Every worry I had was... well, realized. This is the third book in the Infernal Devices series, which I like more than the Mortal Instruments series. And it is the final book (as far as I know). So, really, all bets are off. I should have realized that going in, but I didn't realize until characters started dying that the story was going to go there. And then I was even more terrified--mostly, about losing Jem. Just like Tessa, I'm so in love with Jem and Will (but Jem a little more). I love them as much as I hate Mortmain. I wanted my favorite band of shadowhunters to take him and his army of clockwork creatures down.

But what does the book start with? Lightwoods. Stupid Lightwoods mucking about with Demon Pox. I should have known *facepalm* No, really, it's a great opening. We open on Tessa's wedding dress, Will's conflicting emotions, Tessa's conflicting emotions, and Gabriel Lighwood needing the institute's help. Will wonders never cease? And then we move into Jessie coming back. And Cecily transforming from Will's kid sister to a proper hunter. And Jem steadily getting worse.

I didn't want Jem to die. We start out in book one knowing it's going to happen soon. But I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared. And while I knew that would open a door for Tessa/Will, which I wanted, I also wanted Tessa/Jem. And to see how the love triangle finally worked out was worth waiting for. And while I did think the word "convenient" a couple times, I was too damn happy for the characters to care. Clare did a great job at manipulating my emotions and getting me to root for all the characters at once instead of picking teams/sides/ships.

Do you know who I hated even MORE than the overall, primary baddie? Josiah Wayland, the Clave's Consul and resident arsehole. At every turn when he could have helped, he withheld help. Every time the members of the institute reach out to the rest of the Clave, he blocks or shuts down their attempts. Our heroes needed backup, darn it! And, instead, all Wayland wants to do is to force the Lightwoods to spy on them. Even when we finally get proof and FINALLY get answers. He's in such denial I just wanted to kick him in the shins over and over again.

This book made me feel every emotion possible, multiplied by a thousand. When Henry and Magnus start talking about joining forces to create a portal, I was filled with such glee. When Will is on the road to Wales and feels... something... I just about lost it. When we finally hear about Tessa's origins and see what Mortmain wants her for, I was satisfied. And then the ending... oh gosh... I cried through the whole ending. It was so beautiful and satisfying and heartbreaking all at once. After reading Clockwork Angel twice, I was entertained. But it wasn't until Clockwork Prince that I began to understand the depth of story and character Clare had crafted. This book blew them both away. It tore at me. And even though there were some parts that felt like they were going on a little long, or that the story kept going two discs after the big final battle and climax, I found myself unsettled but not wanting it to end either. I'm glad the story kept going, even it if made me pull off the road to cry a couple times. I think the story ended perfectly for the characters. There are so many ways it could have gone badly or too cliche.

It makes me want to re-read all of the Mortal Instruments series now as well. I hope to maybe see characters from Infernal Devices at least mentioned again in the final book of that series, to bring it all back around. But even if that doesn't happen, I'm so glad I read this series. Highly enjoyable, even when I was piping mad at Consul Wayland.