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Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

Cassandra Clare

Start date: January 23, 2012

Finish date: February 16, 2012

Discussion: ♦Buddy Reads♦

Discussion leader: Shellbelle

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♦Buddy Reads♦

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What Members Thought

Jul 08, 2016 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, ya, historical-fantasy, steam-punk, fantasy, shapeshifters

I love this series! It is actually a trilogy of prequel novels (not sure if that's a 'thing' or not...) to a modern series The Mortal Instruments. They provide the backstory and history for its urban fantasy counterpart.

So all the same ingredients are here as in the first..love triangle and teenaged angst, decent world building and well developed characters. Orphans and a confused and complex handsome young man who is misunderstood....

So what else do we get in the next instalment? Well I'm a suc ...more

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Apr 29, 2017 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, romance, library, young-adult, 2017_challenge

So, I do have some thoughts about this book, but it's probably not going to be as long as normal. The biggest reason that I continued on with this series was because I was interested in the mystery of the story. I wanted to know more about Tessa's past, as well as what the Magister was ultimately up to. In plot, I wasn't disappointed. I felt like there was consistent action throughout the book, unlike the first one, and was always anxious to find out what was the next step of catching the Magist So, I do have some thoughts about this book, but it's probably not going to be as long as normal. The biggest reason that I continued on with this series was because I was interested in the mystery of the story. I wanted to know more about Tessa's past, as well as what the Magister was ultimately up to. In plot, I wasn't disappointed. I felt like there was consistent action throughout the book, unlike the first one, and was always anxious to find out what was the next step of catching the Magister. If the book continued somewhat on the same strain as the first one while keeping the same plot they had in this book, I would've rated this book 5 stars, easy. BUT. That's not what happened.

At the end of the first book, I suspected a love triangle forming, and sure enough, it happened. Love triangles are my most hated trope in books, ever. There is enough conflict that can be formed just between two people. You don't need to get a third person involved to create conflict. Sometimes it can be done well, but for the most part, it just drives me insane. That's what happened in this book. If you haven't figured it out already, the love triangle is between Tessa, Will, and Jem. Now, the first book did a great job of setting up Jem as a good, close friend and Will as the love interest. If Cassandra Clare had just stuck with that, this book would be great, but NO. Jem HAS to be a love interest as well. -.- It's not convincing (for me) and Tessa is SO wishy-washy about who she loves more (when it's so painfully obvious to everyone - even in the book - that she loves Will more), it's just painful.

Now, I didn't drive down the rating too low on this one, because I realize that my peeve with love triangles is my own personal querk. If you don't mind love triangles, honestly, I think you'll love this book. I do have the third book on hold at the library because I do want to figure out the mystery, but I already looked up what happens with the whole Tessa-Will-Jem thing because it just annoyed me that it exists in the first place. This way I can just focus on the plot and stay engaged in that.

Follow more of my reviews at: https://missymaysreadingnook.blogspot... ...more

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Sep 30, 2015 Melissa rated it liked it

Better than the first one. I still don't see the purpose of Tessa and Jem's relationship other than to cause angst between Tessa and Will. It is predictable in its timing. I'm pretty sure I know how it will play out and that's alright.

The plot itself is fun and intriguing. There are some twists that I did not see coming and I am enjoying reading about the search for Mortmain.

The writing is smooth and keeps the story flowing nicely. ...more

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May 04, 2013 Michelle rated it really liked it

I liked this one much better than Clockwork Angel. First of all I think it had a bit more Shadowhunter action, which I like to read about. Second it had more of a backstory so that I can understand the characters a bit more.

I'm not a fan of the love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem. I think it takes up too much of the story. The girl needs to choose and be done with it. I don't really have much patients for love triangles. I find them very cliché.

In the 3rd book I am hoping to see more of ...more

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Jul 13, 2014 Avid Reader and Geek Girl rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read, fantasy

I LOVED this one. A lot of stuff happened that I am really happy with.

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May 13, 2014 Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantastic-heroine, look-at-the-pretty-cover, romance, fantasy, paranormal, young-adult, great-side-characters, 5-stars, all-of-the-feels, favorites-five-stars-and-beyond

5 stars. Fantastic sequel. For everything that was so great about this book though, something grated my nerves that I did not expect would.

Love triangle. *rage* I swear I hate love triangles more than anything in the world. The love triangle is more prominent here than it was in the first book. Ms. Clare wrote it in a way that she tried to make it subtle but it still bothered me. I still really loved the writing, the story was so intriguing and the characters were still fantastic. Even though I 5 stars. Fantastic sequel. For everything that was so great about this book though, something grated my nerves that I did not expect would.

Love triangle. *rage* I swear I hate love triangles more than anything in the world. The love triangle is more prominent here than it was in the first book. Ms. Clare wrote it in a way that she tried to make it subtle but it still bothered me. I still really loved the writing, the story was so intriguing and the characters were still fantastic. Even though I wanted to strangle Tessa for the last third of it.

Tessa is still a great character that I like but in regards to her and her feelings for Jem and Will she was a mess. She bounced between the two frequently, then would avoid them afterwards. It was exhausting. Also, the ending was really awkward and I don't know how I feel about the situation. Other than that, she was still the same headstrong, independent Tessa from Clockwork Angel. I just wish she was more firm and certain in her feelings between Will and Jem. She leaned more towards one of them and then ends up with the other one. Ugh.

Will is still my favorite character in the series. We finally got to learn more about him and his back story. It really broke my heart to read about his family and why he acts the way he does. It all made sense. He might seem like a selfish asshole but he only did it to protect the ones he love. I really felt for him. Especially at the end. Poor guy just can't win for losing.

Jem is such a sweet character that you can't help but love him. I hate that I had this fear of his condition worsening in the back of my mind the entire time. It made me anxious that he could die at any moment but luckily he didn't. I don't think I would have been able to handle it if he did. I liked learning about his and Will's parabati and why their bond is so deep.

The other characters were great as well, especially Jessamine. Despite what she did, I think I felt more for her than anyone else. She was in love and she did things because of it only to end up with nothing. That has to suck.

I think I prefer the first book more but this one was still amazing and I cannot wait to see how the trilogy ends. ...more

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