Review - Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title and Author: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: December 6th, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 498

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Summary:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Review:

I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel and couldn’t wait to read Clockwork Prince. Let me tell you, the book did not disappoint me!
Clockwork Prince picks up where Clockwork Angel stopped, with Will asking Magnus help. Things are not easy for anyone at the institute. Charlotte’s leadership is being questioned, the search for the Magister is leading nowhere and Tessa finds herself having to choose between Jem and Will.
This is a great story that was able to keep me well entertained.
You get to know the characters we met in Clockwork Angel a lot better, especially Will, which I really appreciate because, as much as I like Jem, Will’s still my favorite and his story made me really sorry for him.
I also enjoyed the fact we get to know a different side of Jem in this book. He’s happier and more playful and all around amazing. No wonder it is so difficult for Tessa to choose between the boys!
Tessa is still a very solid main character and I have to confess I enjoyed the fact Magnus makes several appearances during the book.
Clockwork Prince is very well-written and there’s a perfect mix between adventure, action, surprises and romance. (Henry and Charlotte are just too cute together)
The book is fast paced, fun, easy to read and extremely entertaining. The characters are amazing and the plot very interesting.
If you’ve read Clockwork Angel I’m sure you’ll be able to really enjoy Clockwork Prince. If you haven’t started reading this series yet, what are you waiting for?
I’m sure any Young Adult and Paranormal fan will be able to really enjoy this book.

Rating: Must Read  (5 Stars)

Goodreads 

Bookdepository

Cassandra Clare

This post about Cassandra Clare and her books was written by Tamara from Tamara's Book Ramblings.

Cassandra Clare

Where to being?

One simple question, but with so many answers that it makes it the most complicated in the world.

I don't actually remember how I heard about Cassandra Clare or The Mortal Instruments. All I know it wasn't so long ago. So, I searched through her website and got interested in TMI. So, I decided to give it a shot. And wow, I don't think I would be exaggerating when I say that those books turned my life upside-down. That good. So good.

I have been searching for a book that wowes me, that is new, fresh, captivating and brilliant. Ms. Clare accomplished that. 

City Of Bones was and no matter how many times I re-read it, still is, a mesmerizing book. Though it's written in 3rd person, I connected with the characters and their stories and emotions. The story is interesting, flows along perfectly, full of surprises, rollercoasters, and, if I may, one damn hot boy! If Jace is not on your fictional boyfriend list, he should be! And if you haven't read TMI, you really, really should! 

I can't say anything bad about Cassandra Clare, wheter it's about her writing, or herself. She is really nice and loves her fans and gives us sneak peeks, giveaways and other things! Also, I want to mention The Infernal Devices, another series set in the Shadowhunter world, but a little earlier. I haven't read this one YET. But I know it's great and I must pick it up soon.

So, to wrap up this post, I think Cassandra Clare has managed to become a wow and a hit in the writing industry and I personally think she will stay there for a very long time :)

Also, Cassie Clare is one of rare authors from who, no matter which genre or how many series she wrote, I'd read all books.

Just that good.

Thank you so much Tamara! :)

Review - City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I have already reviewed City of Fallen Angels here on the blog. Here's my review:

Title and Author: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: 5 April, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 424

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

My Review

Cassandra Clare

Hello, how are you all?

So, this weekend all my posts are dedicated to Cassandra Clare and The Mortal Instuments and The Infernal Devices series.

Let's get to know Cassandra and her books then:

Author's Bio:

"Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Teheran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old. Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and  which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.

Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her two cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel."

Cassandra Clare's Books:

Title and Author: City of Bones

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: March 27th, 2007

Paperback/Hardcover: 485

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Title and Author: City of Ashes

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date: March 25th, 2008

Paperback/Hardcover: 464

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

As readers of series starter City of Bones already know, teenager Clary Fray is a Shadowhunter, a demon slayer who has the gift (?) of spotting Downworlder werewolves, vampires, and faeries. She is also an adolescent in an abnormally dysfunctional family: Her mom is in a magically induced coma and her father is probably insane and undoubtedly evil. All of which places Clary in situations that would challenge even the most talented average American girl.

Title and Author: City of Glass 

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: March 24th, 2009

Paperback/Hardcover: 683

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost? 


 


Title and Author: Clockwork Angel
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: August 31st, 2010

Paperback/Hardcover: 476

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal




Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Title and Author: City of Fallen Angels

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date: April 5th, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 424

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

"'He does make me happy,' Clary said. 'But he can't control everything in the world, Mom. Other things happen—' she fumbled for words; how could she explain that it wasn't Jace making her unhappy, but what was happening to him, without revealing what that was?" "In a world where everything went away from him eventually, she was one of the few remaining constants." Except for teasers, the fourth installment of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments romance fantasy has been strictly embargoed, leaving us clutching for word clues. A teen series that keeps readers on tenterhooks.

Upcoming Books:


 


Title and Author: Clockwork Prince 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: December 6th, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 528

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal




In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Title and Author: City of Lost Souls 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: DMay 8th, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover:

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling.

 


Title and Author: Clockwork Princess 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: December 1st, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover:

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal




In Clockwork Princess, Tessa and her companions travel all over the world as they race to stop the clockwork army before it's too late. As Jem's health worsens alarmingly and his friends search desperately for a cure, can Tessa choose between the two boys she loves — even if it means never seeing the other one again?

Title and Author: City of Heavenly Fire

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: September, 2013

Paperback/Hardcover:

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

In Book 6: City of Heavenly Fire, Jace, Clary and their friends are drawn inexorably into a war that pits Heaven against Hell, angels against demons—a war that threatens to destroy our world entirely if the Shadowhunters can't end it first.

You can find Cassandra at:

Official Website

Twitter

Review - City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title and Author: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: 5 April, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 424

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Summary

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Review:

I was really excited for City of Fallen Angels and I really enjoyed the book. It was good and it was great to read about Clary and Jace again but I have to confess that it didn’t held my interest like the previous books in the series did, though. That doesn’t mean I was disappointed.

City of Fallen Angels starts where City of Glass ended. Valentine is dead, Simon has the Mark of Cain and Jace is given a new start. At first everything seems perfect in the shadowhunter world but suddenly there are shadowhunters being killed and the peace with the downworlders is put to test.

A large part of the story is told in Simon’s point of view and it took me a while to get used to that but I eventually realized how interesting Simon can be. Clary’s was still my favorite point of view, though.

One thing I really liked was the fact Simon and Jace somehow got a little closer and became friends. They are extremely funny together! They are always teasing each other, after all.

Another thing I liked was the new character Jordan. His past was interesting and his relationship with some of the characters we already know was surprising. I hope we get to see more of him in the next books since I love a conflicted character.

Jace is still my favorite character and his relationship with Clary in this book was, to say the least, complicated. They never seemed to truly be together. There was always something keeping Jace away from Clary and that pissed me off a little. I would’ve liked them to be together and happy for a little while.  There were some nice scenes between them, though.

I do understand why Jace was so tormented and why he gave up hope on his relationship with Clary. For the ending of this book to work, Jace had to be like that.

I don’t want to write any spoilers so I’ll just say that I was surprised by the end of the book and can’t wait to see what will happen next. Poor Jace!

I don’t think this book is as good as the previous ones but it is well written, easy to read and interesting.  It was great to read about the characters I like so much again. I’ll definitely read the next book in the series.

Rating: Worth Your Time

Book Depository

Goodreads

Review - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title and Author: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Paperback: 479 Pages

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Summary:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all

Review:

I really enjoyed The Mortal Instruments series and, even though I was a bit reluctant to read this book, I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised.

This book features the Shadowhunters once more, but this time the story takes place in Victorian London, instead of New York.

Tessa travels all the way from New York to London to find her brother but instead of being reunited with him as she hoped, she finds herself thrown into a world she never knew existed and doesn’t fully understand. Plus, she finds out she isn’t as normal as she thought she was and that she possesses a power that makes her different from everyone else.

There are a lot of great characters in this book that I felt were well developed and easy to like. Plus, you are reintroduced to some characters who had already made an appearance in The Mortal Instruments.

As the main character, Tessa, was easy to like. She is strong, smart and willing to fight for those she loved. One thing I really liked about her was the fact that always stood up for herself.

One character I really loved was Will. Just like Jace from The Mortal Instruments, he’s sarcastic, funny and cocky. He’s also very mysterious and maybe even a little dark. He doesn’t allow anyone to get too close to him no matter how much it hurts, not even Jem, but it is clear that he cares for both Jem and Tessa. It is also obvious that something happened to him. He’s damaged and whatever his secret is, it has the power to control him and dictate some on his actions.

And then there’s Jem. He’s kind, thoughtful, intelligent and sweet. He’s the one person who managed to get closer to Will than everyone else and while Will has a tendency to be impulse, Jem is very rational and careful. He too, cares very deeply for Tessa.

Now, if you’re wondering whether I’m team Will or team Jem, I’ll have to say that, for now, I’m team Will but I’m waiting to see what will happen next!Just when I thought that nothing could top The Mortal Instruments Series, Cassandra Clare goes and writes Clockwork Angel. I mean, come on, Shadowhunters plus the Victorian era. Can it get any better?

I absolutely adore all of the books that Cassandra Clare has previously written, and this one was no different! It takes place in the Shadowhunter world, just like The Mortal Instruments series, but this time, instead of present day New York, the story takes place in Victorian London.

The secondary characters are also great. There’s Charlotte and her mothering instincts, Henry, with his crazy inventions and Jessamine, who is a little spoiled and bratty but eventually grew on me.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. The writing was good and the characters very captivating. The plot is very interesting as well and I’m looking forward to seeing some mysteries being unraveled in the next book. You can definitely read this book without having read any of The Mortal Instruments books and, hopefuly, you'll like it just as much as I did. ...more

Rating: Must Read 

Book Depository

Good Reads