The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare - Reading from 'Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)' from September 6th 2019

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

21% (view spoiler)[So Cecily knows how Will feels about Tessa. She is a hard one to unravel.

Sophie got so angry when she found out that Gideon had been calling for scones just to see Sophie and that he had been hiding them under her bed. I think it is adorable, but I guess I can see it from Sophie's point of view as well. It did make more work for her in the long run. But Gideon is so adorable! OMG, I need them to be together! I thought it was funny that Gabriel had been asleep but still overheard the whole thing. His comment made me giggle.

Jem seemed horrified that Tessa would even suggest that he consider becoming a vampire so that he wouldn't die. And then they discussed becoming a Silent Brother, though it seems like that won't work since he isn't healthy and strong enough to take the runes required. And he couldn't have any yin fen in his system, but if he stops taking it he would die. =/

Will went to look for more yin fen, but there is no more. He and Tessa decide to go to Magnus Bane to see if he could help.

I am confused as to why the Consul is so strongly opposed to having Charlotte become the new consul. It seems like he has supported her in the past, so his behavior now seems strange to me.

Woolsey Scott is a rude fellow. I am surprised that there wasn't more of a scuffle with him and Will. I am glad that Magnus said that he would try to do what he can for Jem. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

30% (view spoiler)[So Tatiana brought a complaint against Gabriel for murder. The Consul makes Gabriel and Gideon spy on Charlotte and in return, he will not remove their marks or throw them all out on the street. They agree, but the information that they provide the Consul is fabricated. They didn't intend on selling Charlotte out.

Cecily is starting to have conflicted feelings about becoming a Shadowhunter. She only intended to pretend to become one to lure her brother back home, but she is growing to like being a Shadowhunter. Even Will noticed and spoke to her about it.

Gabriel and Cecily seem to be getting closer bit by bit. Even if Will tried to scare him off from her.

Mortmain sent the Shadowhunters a letter with a sample of yin fen and a request to exchange some more for Tessa. Tessa said she would go and everyone got their skirts ruffled. Especially Jem. He threw the letter and yin fen in the fire and Will, as heroic as ever, put his hands into the fire to save them, only saving some of the yin fen. The letter was destroyed and along with it the information needed to contact Mortmain about the deal.

They mentioned Meliorn! I love hearing about characters from the Mortal Instruments series. It's so eye-opening. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

43% (view spoiler)[Sophie catches Gideon and Gabriel going through Charlotte's letters. They explain what happened with the Consul and she tells them that she won't inform Charlotte what they were doing.

The scene with Jem and Tessa in the music room was beautiful. He wrote her a song on his violin and she cried when he played it. Tessa tells Jem that they do not have to wait to be married. That she would marry him whenever he likes. When Jem tells everyone the next morning about moving the marriage up, he said that he would even give up being a Shadowhunter for Tessa if he had to. OMG, he loves her so much! It melts my heart.

The automatons and Mrs. Black attacked when Jessamine arrived. Tessa was captured and taken. Jem ran after the carriage but lost it. When he came back he collapsed and wouldn't wake. Jessamine died and Will was the last to speak to her. She made him promise to look after her dollhouse, which is extremely odd to me. I thought that she was a little mad about the dollhouse, to begin with.

Cecily figured out what Jessamine had meant about Mortmain being in Idris. She talks to Will about it and they realize that there is a mountain called Cadair Idris in Wales. They discuss this with Charlotte and the Consul, but of course, the Consul waves it off as nothing. When the Consul leaves he finds Gabriel outside and makes him agree to spy on Charlotte alone and to make something up if he must.

Will summoned Magnus Bane, and to Magnus's surprise, it is only to talk. Will is at Jem's bedside when Magnus arrives and they eventually talk about Will being in love with Tessa. Magnus says that he will sit with Jem while Will goes after Tessa. He leaves so Will can say his goodbyes to Jem and Jem wakes. He overheard that Will is in love with Tessa, and he isn't angry. He gives them his blessing and sends Will after Tessa. God, I love Jem so much!

The moment that Cecily and Will had before he left was touching. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

52% (view spoiler)[The fact that Mrs. Black is just a head on a spike with two metal arms if horrific.

When Magnus said that all Lightwoods look the same to him, I giggled. =P

I was surprised when Tessa charged at the door of the carriage and fell over the cliff. Even more surprised that her clockwork angel necklace grew to the size of a person and was able to use metal wings to deposit her safely on the ground.

Gabriel is definitely falling for Cecily. I love their banter. And I was a little grossed out that Gabriel's father's order that was ready at the shop they went to was demon pornography. Ew.

Aww, Gideon is a darling. When he speaks to Sophie about her scar he tells her that he sees it and that it is another beautiful part of the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. -swoon- I have a soft spot for this kind of thing. I have always loved books with characters that have a scar or some such thing that they feel makes them ugly because when they find love it is always beautiful.

I loved the scene with Henry and Magnus. Magnus was so impressed with Henry and complimented him. And they got along so well. Magnus even made Henry laugh out loud. I had so many feels! I admit to being a little confused about Henry's portal invention. When I read the Mortal Instruments I assumed that portals were the norm for Downworlders and Shadowhunters, but no one has used them thus far in this series. Perhaps Henry invented them!

When Sophie was caring for Jem she was surprised that Jem knew that Will loves Tessa. She was hesitant to tell him that Tessa loves him as well as Jem, but she felt she could not lie to him. Of course, the scene cut away when he spoke of her expression when he spoke of Will and Tessa and asked her if it was true. I so badly want to know what he asked and what Sophie told him!

Will finds the necklace that Jem gave to Tessa on the cliff that she went over after falling out of the carriage. He was so close to her! I was screaming inside for him to just look over the cliff!

Jem asked Charlotte to have everyone stop looking for a cure for him. =[ The Silent Brothers came and left. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

65% (view spoiler)[The parabatai bond ended and the rune was bleeding I felt so bad for Will. It sounded excruciating. Of course, some werewolves happen upon him just at that moment and threaten him. An appearance from Woolsey Scott was peculiar. He made the last werewolf stop fighting and commanded Will to as well. He is still a mystery, though what he said to Will makes me think that he may not actually be villainous after all. He told Will that he tries to fulfill his brother's wishes and strive to serve a higher purpose and that Will should do the same.

Mrs. Black was able to find Tessa, even though she disguised herself as someone else with the Change.

Aloysius Starkweather went to see Charlotte. He figured out that Tessa is his great-granddaughter. He told Charlotte what he had found out about her. I had been right that the fae had changed his granddaughter for another child. They left his granddaughter in the care of humans. Starkweather seemed truly sad by his actions in life and the loss of his family. I was surprised that he told Charlotte to tell Tessa that she is welcome to the Starkweather family name. It is fitting, I think. Although, I do not know that Tessa would take it. Charlotte writes to the Consul again about the new information and he again dismissed her.

Tessa awakens as Mortmain's captive. He tells her his plans. Tessa's clockwork angel had been designed by Mortmain's father as a gift for his mother, but they were killed before he finished it. Mortmain finished the design and bound the angel to Tessa's life so that it would save her life whenever she was in danger of dying. Mortmain had given it to her mother. He plans to create a new race of beings like Tessa by marrying her and extinguish the Shadowhunters. He makes Tessa change into her father so that he can get the formula to place a demon inside the automatons. When she changes she loses all control and Mortmain's father takes over and speaks to Mortmain as if it is really him. I found that strange.

Charlotte receives a letter from the Consul and reads it aloud to everyone. Gabriel confesses that he and Gideon had been asked to spy and that the Consul had asked him to spy on her for him and to make something up if he had to. Sophie corroborated the spying by Gideon and Gabriel. He produces the letter that he had written to the Consul, but never sent to him. Charlotte decides to write to the Clave and ask for assistance that the Consul dismissed. They all agreed to fight with Charlotte, even Sophie. And Gideon said that Sophie is a natural fighter and should be allowed to Ascend. He also let it slip in front of everyone of his intentions to marry Sophie. Cecily made everyone else leave the room to give Gideon and Sophie privacy. But then Cecily and Gabriel listened at the door. =P This scene was truly precious! My heart swelled! I especially loved when Cecily said that it was very romantic and then Gabriel smiled down at her. Oh, all of the beautiful connections in this book! My heart can't take it! =P (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

69% (view spoiler)[I was so sad reading the letter that Cecily wrote to her parents. I think that the rule that Shadowhunters cannot have any connection to their family if their family chooses not to be a Shadowhunter as well is ridiculous. It makes me think of Simon from the Tales From Shadowhunter Academy when he is training to Ascend. When he does Ascend, he will have to cease all contact with his family and he cannot tell them a thing. It saddens me.

Mortmain showed Tessa one the demon automatons that he perfected with his father's spell. He also demonstrated that it cannot be killed with a Seraph blade. Tessa tries to appeal to another side of Mortmain by praising him on his inventions. She senses that he is lonely, which may be true. But I think that her attempt is in vain because Mortmain is too steeped on revenge against the Shadowhunters for the deaths of his parents. It has consumed him.

Will wakes to screams in the village outside the mountain where Mortmain is. He releases Balios from the stable and the horse darts off. He sees Mortmain's automatons killing the people of the village. And Will can tell that they are different from all the automatons he faced before. They move fluidly and can think. He tries to kill one with his Seraph blade but it disintegrates. The automaton almost kills him, but Balios comes to the rescue and Will rides off on him. He doesn't know it, but Tessa is watching. Mortmain is making her watch. She sees Will riding off, but it too far away to tell that it is him. Will finds where the automatons came from and he follows.

Tessa tries to destroy the clockwork angel that protects her, but the iron poker she used to strike it burst into powder. The angel changed into a figure of light and it spoke to her. Apparently, Mortmain's father trapped an actual angel's soul in the clockwork angel, like the Pyxis does for demons. The angel is trapped inside and the spell forces the angel to protect Tessa. The angel's name is Ithuriel. Of course, this was all a dream sequence so who knows if it's true... (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

FINISHED! (view spoiler)[OMG, this book devastated me! I cried during the entire epilogue, and my husband came into the bedroom wondering what was wrong with me. =P

Here is my Review:

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

OH MY GOD, MY HEART!! I feel as if my heart has literally beat itself into nothing. I don't think that I have ever had such physical pain after ending a series. I literally wept through the entire epilogue and an over hour thereafter. I will have THE WORST book hangover this week. This month? Until the end of days? Who knows? Cassandra Clare, you sly dog, you will be the death of me. With all the upcoming Shadowhunter books coming out I may very well die of all the feels and my gravestone will read "Here lies Vanessa, bludgeoned to death by the beat of her own heart while fangirling over Shadowhunters and Warlocks". A magnificent death to be sure.

In all seriousness though, this book and this series really did destroy me. I have so much love for these characters. I feel like they are a part of me, like family. They are precious to me. That is how Clare writes her characters. She is innately talented in creating characters that fill you up with emotions. The reader really does live through them as they read. One of the best things about the characters that Clare writes is the relationships between the characters. The relationships are crafted so expertly, so seamlessly. Another wonderful thing about Clare's character writing is the character growth. The main characters always have so much development as the story progresses. Personal growth as well as growth in their relationships with other characters in the story. Clare is just brilliant with writing characters.

Another thing that makes this book and Clare's Shadowhunter books so amazing is the scope of the plots in her books. The has a magical touch with creating compelling plots with story arcs spread throughout. The pacing of the plot is always spot on, always fluid. The reader is never bored and is always left wanting more. Clare has a superior way of including heart-wrenching twists in her stories and this book was no different.

I may be repeating myself from my review of the last book in this series, but Clare's world building is phenomenal! All of her books build off of each other to create a truly unique world. Stories from the same world, but in different timelines. The time that it must have taken her to research and flesh out this world must have been years of her life. Clare is truly a master of creating intricate fantasy worlds that inspire and continue to grow.

Overall, if you are looking for a book to thoroughly destroy you from the inside then look no further. This series will make you feel so many feels! If you are an urban fantasy fan then this book and any of Clare's books will feed your book lust. I highly recommend this book and this series! I feel so strongly about this series that I feel I may have to start shoving a physical copy of it in people's faces and rant about it like a madwoman. Now please excuse me while I inconvenience a necromancer and persuade him to nurse me back to life after being so thoroughly slaughtered by this series! (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Davmar,

I guess the mods are busy tallying points for the challenges. I'm sure they will get around to restarting this thread soon. I don't think we have to wait for them to make it official, so I'm going to start adding my comments now.

[Jennifer]

Ch 5 - Oh man, I wish I had reread the Mortal Instruments and the Dark Artifices series to remind me of all the family tress that are to come in the future. My memory is too fuzzy and it is messing with what I think is in store for these characters. (view spoiler)[

Other thoughts: I laughed so hard at the 6 Fingered Nigel remarks. Sometimes the random humor in these books catches me off guard. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12 - I am shocked! (view spoiler)[ I know Will is supposed to be somewhat of a rake, but back then a kiss like that was almost akin to a marriage proposal. Naughty boy! (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Davmar, I'm so sorry that she isn't well and I hope that she recovers. Please don't worry about the BR, you have more important things to concentrate on. My prayers are with you.

[Jennifer]

Ch 14 - (view spoiler)[ OK, now I really want to know what is wrong with Jem! (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ I'm so confused about Will and his past. Are his parents dead or not? And what is the story with the box? Also, is it possible that Tessa's mother might be one of the Shadowhunter children that are in exile from their parents breaking with the Clave? Ooo, I can barely wait to get a copy of the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Ch 6 - (view spoiler)[ Ah! Could Cecily be a sister? and I think Starkweather recognized Tessa - perhaps he knows who her mother is? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15 - (view spoiler)[ Seems like there should be an easy way to test to see if Tessa is part Shadowhunter - like open the door to the Institute by herself?? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 17 - (view spoiler)[ Ah Magnus! I love him! It makes me want to read the next! (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Will - Happy for Jem, but bad for Will. They both deserve happiness. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Ch 6 - (view spoiler)[ Grrr! Why does the Consul have to be a jerk? I thought he was forward thinking, but it turns out he is a selfish pig. Maybe he his working with Mortmain?? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 14 - !!!!!! (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Jem is gone! ... And it really confuses me. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 17 - (view spoiler)[ Aw! That was so cute between Gideon and Sophie, and with Gabriel and Cecily eavesdropping outside too. Still, don't they have more important things to do right now? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[ Oh no! Not Henry! And um, can we go back a few pages and have Magnus explain what he meant by "If you were a different person, I'd have a lot to say to you right now" regarding the new mark on Will's shoulder - especially because I can't remember the explanation from the other series other than it is a mark of an angel - but how did it get there from Will and Tess sleeping together? Huh? I want to know!! (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Well, that was just about the best ending. I have to admit that I was tearing up imagining Will old and frail and Tess by his side while Jem did the final ceremony for death. And the way Tess just leaves then rather than see her children die. But she and Jem continue to meet up and one day he is back to his usual self and she has the chance to have a life with him. OMG! I'm choking up typing this, it's just so darn beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 5th of November 2018

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[Tiera]

I'm not sure who's BR this is but is it ok with you if I crash it? I am ready to start today!

[Tiera]

Chapters 1-5 I haven't read this series before though I have read the Mortal Instruments series several times and watched the movie and Netflix series. The book has started off great, really easy to fall into the scenes, I am really just not sure where we are headed yet. So far all the characters seem really well rounded which is refreshing that even at the start of a book they even could be. (view spoiler)[ Will is of course my favorite at this point with his nonsensical banter and rogue like demeanor. Jem.... does he have TB? The symptoms look similar but I wouldn't think Shadow Hunters could get it. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ I love when characters reappear in a different series. Not only do we have a Herondale, but now Camille has appeared as well, and ole Magnus has been mentioned several times. It really makes a world feel like home when you already know of or know the characters! (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

Chapters 10-14 (view spoiler)[ This really is a good book and tons of intrigue! There are so many mysteries to be discovered! What is Tessa really Magnus seems to think she is a Warlock but she must be something more. What is Wills deal? The thing about Cassandra Clare is she really knows how to draw out the suspense....for eons lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ Well so ole Morty was the Magistrar! I hate that we really didn't discover anymore answers in this first book! I mean come on what the heck is Tessa!! I may have to find a BR for the last Mortal Instruments book so I can refresh my memory on some things in the future lol. Was a really good read though! I just hope that the answers are coming sooner than later. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 4 (view spoiler)[Strange tension between Will and Tessa. Not sure what to make of it yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Chapter 7

(view spoiler)[This is my first time reading The Infernal Devices, and I just finished City of Heavenly Fire last month or so. I'm really liking this book, especially the characters in it. Tessa is pretty cool.
Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Black are so evil! I'm glad that they died-- I know that Mrs. Black did, at least. They were really demanding towards Tessa with making her Change and all that. It sounds painful, too.
I'm not sure if I like Will or Jace from The Mortal Instruments more, but Will is a great lead. I wonder if there will be any romance between him and Tessa? (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[The whole part with the vampire gathering was awesome. I loved how Tessa changed to look like Camille, and I was surprised when the person the vampires and de Quincey captured turned out to be Tessa's brother! That was a pretty unique way of introducing a character into a novel, I think. And of course, I really liked the appearance of Magnus Bane in this book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[That reveal with Nate working for the Meister-- I totally didn't expect that! And de Quincey being revealed as not being the head of everything threw me off, too.
I'm surprised that there's a scene in which Tessa actually stays at the Institute and doesn't go towards the action like Will and Jem are doing, but of course, the action went to her.
I thought this book wasn't that good at first, but now I'm really liking it. Though I think I still like The Mortal Instruments better at this point. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Finished

(view spoiler)[That ending was pretty good! I liked how Tessa somewhat came to terms with being a warlock, and the epilogue with Magnus Bane was good just because he was in it. I'm so sad that Agatha and Thomas died! (hide spoiler)]

[Lesa]

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Reading from the 6th of May 2019

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[Nick]

Lesa wrote: "****************************************************************************

Reading from the 6th of May 2019

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".. with plush purple velvet bench seats facing each other, and gold tasseld curtains.." How posh is that?!=)

[Nick]

Just covered the prelude today

[Nick]

"Tessa hated to cry, especially in front of people she didn't trust". That's ..adorable. And unexpected.

[Nick]

Tessa attacking Miranda? What a sickening scene!

[Nick]

Finished chapter 1

[Lesa]

Chapter 1-3 (view spoiler)[ Tessa trio to london isnt great omg. To be kidnapped and forced to show her ability she didnt know she had. (hide spoiler)]

[Lesa]

Lol gold tassels couch very posh....

[Lesa]

Chapter 4-6 (view spoiler)[ Jem couching up blood oh my whats that all about? Henry too cute. Nate boss hiding something.... (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Lesa wrote: "Chapter 1-3 [spoilers removed]"
Now, dear. Don't be jerky=)

[Nick]

Gold tassels make excellent jewelry accessory ("Eleanor&Park"). Don't underestimate their value!

[Nick]

"Don't I look like sir Galahad?" :D

[Nick]

Chapter 2 covered

[Nick]

Chapter 3 finished

[Nick]

"What kind of monster could possibly hate chocolate?" :D

[Nick]

"Beauty fades, but cooking is eternal". So wise of Will!

[Nick]

Chapter 4's done

[Nick]

(view spoiler)[ "my brother always said curiosity is my besetting sin" (hide spoiler)]

[Lesa]

Chapter 7-9
(view spoiler)[ Vampire Camilia up to something. She wanna help the Shadow Hunters... (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-4

(view spoiler)[After finishing City of Ashes then picking this book up, it's interesting to read from the POV of a 'Downworlder'. And in Victorian London as well!

I wonder what happened to Nate? Is he like Tessa?

Also, we've got a great cast of characters already. Excited to explore this world more and learn more about the characters.

(hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

(view spoiler)[ "Such harsh truths so early in the morning cannot be good for the digestion". So far Will is the one one causing all laugh (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[Omg! "The trap rebaited"design (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Don't know, what is more scary: the goblin encounter or Jessamine's reaction to it. (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Lesa wrote: "Chapter 4-6 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ Yup, Henry is totally cool. Maybe too much so? (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Ashleigh wrote: "
I wonder what happened to Nate? "
(view spoiler)[ Seems kinda too scary to be willing to find out so far.. (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ "It's a bit like they're your children, isn't it?""Yes, except for the part where they are required to love me, I suppose" Bitter.
"I'm not going to be at all pleased, if you blinded me, Henry" Amusing.
"The less you had, the more careful you had to be about everything you did have" True!
Going out to meet that vampire lady? I dunno.. (hide spoiler)]