Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Release Date – December 6, 2011
Publisher Website – Simon and Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 497 pages
My Rating- 10/10
**obtained from the publisher for an honest review**
***SPOILERS FOR CLOCKWORK ANGEL***

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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.

If you’ve ever read a Cassandra Clare novel you know that there are certain things you can expect. You can expect to laugh, cry, be shocked, and to swoon over the hot boys. Clockwork Prince offers this and so much more. In what I think is Cassandra’s best work yet she has captured the essence of friendship, the bitter sweetness of first loves, and what desperation will drive people to do.

There are moments of such light hearted humour. Will’s humour is of the sarcastic variety and he once again provides us with some amazing one liners. There are also equal moments of complete heartbreak that I found myself crying more than once. There is a chapter near the end that completely shattered me.

Tessa really comes into her own in this novel. She was always strong but it’s even more evident. Her desire to help others, and learn as much as she can is admirable. She tries to do the right thing, even when it means her own happiness, and she is forgiving. Her journey to find out what and who she is is relatable. We all want to know where we come from, what our purpose is.

Will’s character develops so much in this novel. There are so many layers to this complex young man that I still think we’re just beginning to scratch the surface. We do find out why Will went to see Magnus and it surprised me. I think Jem says it best with this quote “When Will truly wants something, when he feels something — he can break your heart.”. He can, and totally does.

Jem really shines in this novel. Will is by no means not present, and he does play a huge part, but Jem fans will particularly relish the connection he makes with Tessa. Jem definitely brings the sexy. Jem’s story is so heartbreaking, so tragic that you can’t help but feel for him. He’s aware of his own mortality which makes his story that much more devastating.

Which brings us to the triangle. This is hands down my favourite triangle. It’s one of the only ones I enjoy. I don’t have a team, nor do I want one. The relationship between Will and Jem is so developed and wonderful that either of them being hurt is a heartbreaking thought. Tessa has a tough choice to make. The fact that both choices present such clear, yet different pictures of how Tessa’s life could be just shows how developed the characters are.

Magnus Bane…just when I thought I knew him Cassandra goes and reveals something new. His relationship with Will is so touching. He is not quite the Magnus we meet in the Mortal Instruments series, but we do see things that will shape him in to the fabulousness we know and love.

The betrayal that is spoken of was a little shocking. It just shows what someone will do when they feel abandoned and desperate.

I am breathlessly awaiting the final instalment in this amazing, complex series. It’s a completely other story as to whether or not my heart can handle it.