Clare, Cassandra - Clockwork Angel ("Buddy Read" - revisted) Feb. 22nd, 2012

[Caron]

Through Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[I'm loving this book so far. The fact that The Dark Sisters used Nate to get Tessa into their clutches was, well, kind of smart of them since he was the only one she trusted. Really though, I would've been a bit more suspicious given with the general freakiness they oozed of, letter or no. The coachman, creepy. Miranda's death was weird. I imagine if I ever hit someone with a globe they'd be gravely injured and passed out...talk about having your face bashed in. She reminded me of a clock just before it gives out. One of those old ones with the wheel thingies in them. That last ticking before it's dead. Tessa's gift seems kind of cool...up to the point that she could make herself look like anyone, but to remember their deaths too? No thank you.

I like William, he seems....charming. Henry's like a whiny baby. "Will, she bit me!" That dungeon though, that's how horror movies start. I can't wait to find out who this 'Magister' person is.

Now we get to learn about the Nephilim...and also, what the meaning is of that clockwork angel that Tessa wears. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Chapter 1-2

Okay now I'm intrigued! I can't wait to read more about who/what the heck Will is and more about Tessa. Why (view spoiler)[ did they want to train her to become dead people? I wonder if she can embody living people or just dead ones. What are with these Underworld people? This is definitely a strange world. (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

RebeccaS wrote: "Chapter 1-2

Okay now I'm intrigued! I can't wait to read more about who/what the heck Will is and more about Tessa. Why [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Now that you mention it, the thought does sound intriguing. Can she embody people that are still alive? (hide spoiler)] Curiouser and curiouser.

[Rebecca]

Up through chapter 5

(view spoiler)[ I wonder where the heck Nate is?! And does it somehow relate to Tessa's clockwork angel necklace? I am loving learning about the different Shadow hunters. I really like Charlotte and Will and Jem. I hope we learn more about Jem's illness. I have a feeling they are going to be sucked into a very dramatic situation as they search for the murder humans. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Up through chapter 11

Wow I've been speeding through this one. I'm really enjoying the audiobook. (view spoiler)[ I am really starting to like all the shadowhunters. I even feel for Jessamine because she was forced into this life that her parents didn't even want for her. I hope we learn more about each one's background and parents.

The agreement between the Shadowhunters and vampires is interesting. I wonder what events lead them to this agreement. I also want to know more about what has been happening with Nate after he left his job to work with the Magister. I have a bad feeling that he is not as innocent as he seems.

I'm also glad Tessa is becoming a stronger character, but I was so mad when she fell apart at the meeting and didn't leave when she was going to. Also, WHY wasn't killing de Quincey the top priority if he was in charge? We will definitely see some bad things from him. (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

Through Chapter 8

(view spoiler)[I'm glad that Charlotte accepted her into the institute. She seems to be the kind of person that would've welcomed her, accords or no. I'm not that much a fan of Will anymore. He's a boy and acts as such. Jem is more calm and I like the patience he shows. Also, he plays the violin so that's a plus. I wonder what sort of sickness he has. It seemed to me to be something along the lines of tuberculosis but this is the Victorian Era and TID, it could be anything. Jessamine...not really liking her that much. She's so snobby. I adore Sophie. Also, I get that this is the Victorian Era but the whole 'women must do whatever their husbands tell them to' is a bit frustrating. Mortmain...dude got what he deserved. Haha, Charlotte terrified him. I kind of like the Baroness, I wonder what she meant when she said 'you won't regret this.' And Magnus Bane strikes again! de Quincy sounds like someone I would not want to be acquainted with. To murder mundanes for the fun of it....despicable. (hide spoiler)]

I'd read more but my eyes hurt. Really enjoying this book so far.

[Rebecca]

I must say I'm a huge fan of the women in this book (except maybe Jessamine). They are also strong and seem to really be out-shinning the men.

[Caron]

@RebeccaS I agree with that. I'm glad that they're at least letting their voices be heard. And Charlotte, as kind and soft hearted as she is, is a no nonsense woman.

[Juliana]

RebeccaS wrote: "Up through chapter 11

Wow I've been speeding through this one. I'm really enjoying the audiobook. (spoiler removed)"

The chapter 11 was (view spoiler)[so bloody!!!
But I totally agree with you RebeccaS, they should have dealt with De Quincey properly (hide spoiler)]

This book isn't quite what I was expecting, and I do know why I'm not connecting with the characters.

[Rebecca]

Juliana - I think it's kind of hard to connect with these characters because we know so little about them. There is more of an emphasis on action/mystery than character descriptions (at least less than usual).

I just pushed through and finished! I came to a part where so much was going on that I couldn't put it down.

(view spoiler)[ I am still confused about what the heck the Magister meant when he said he "made" Tessa? I hope we learn more about her past and parents in the next one, because it's driving me crazy

Also I KNEW there was more to Nate than a foolish victim. He is truly evil and must be a very weak person to give up his sister just for glory and money. I can't believe he murdered his own aunt too! Ugh

I was very sad about Thomas and Agatha. I can't believe they were actually killed.

Will makes me so mad!! Ugh what is his problem. We better learn more about him in the next one because right now he's just rude and annoying me. (hide spoiler)]

[Juliana]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[Mr. Mortmain hint didn't sound good, I thought it could be a trap and now I'm certain, could he be the Magister? (hide spoiler)]

[Juliana]

Argh! Nataniel is (view spoiler)[ so disgusting!! A spoiled and weak man. (hide spoiler)]

[Juliana]

I've finished it. And for me it's a 3.5 stars.
Some twist at the end made it a little bit better.

[Juliana]

Rebecca S, (view spoiler)[First I thought Nate was spoiled and weak, thirst for power and money. I can even pass that he sold Tessa, with he don't seeing her as a human person anymore. But to kill his aunt was too much!

I'm really intrigued by how the Magister could have made Tessa, and to find why Will thinks that he is doing the right thing in hurting everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

I agree the ending made the overall book better. There must being something going on (view spoiler)[ with Will and why he wanders around every night. I wonder if he is looking for his family or if he is in someway cursed so that everyone he loves is in danger? Maybe that's why he's always mean. (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

I've noticed a trend...the beginning to the middle of the books make you blink and wonder when this is going to end...after that it's smooth sailing and you can't get enough.

I gotta say though (view spoiler)[ Tessa was so so stupid. She nearly blew the entire thing. Seriously, I get that Nate's her brother but still... (hide spoiler)]

I've still got a few chapters left.

[Caron]

Just finished Chapter 17...I have a little guess

Mrs. Dark cackled like a crazy old bat because (view spoiler)[ Will and Jem thinks that de Quincy is the magister. I'm thinking Mortmain is the magister... (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

aha! guessed it!

[Rebecca]

Caron - (view spoiler)[ I definitely didn't think Mortmain was the magister until that scene with Mrs. Dark. Then I felt thinks click into place and thought uh ohhhh. You left the girls home alone with the Magister!! (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

RebeccaS wrote: "Caron - [spoilers removed]"

Same! (view spoiler)[Mortmain was the only character that was basically unexplained. I think that was rather smart of him. Pretending to be a scared mundane and throw all suspicion off you. (hide spoiler)]

[Caron]

So many things happened! Oh man! Yes!

(view spoiler)[Jem's my favourite character in this series. His story is so sad. To be attacked and tortured and having to live off demon juice, gross. Will can be such a jerk sometimes, not a fan of him, but he's been through such torment, not an excuse but poor kid. Jessamine...naturally she'll allow everyone else to fight while she sits on the side. I nearly had a heart attack when I thought that Thomas was dead...phew, close call. And the way he wanted Tessa to take Sophie away...man, he really loves her. Mortmain is bad bad bad...i have no words. Nate that little swine, to betray your own flesh and blood to become some mad man's disciple. Despicable! What on earth did he mean when he said that Tessa's mother didn't know what she was? Who is the father? This is all so interesting. Also, I prefer the Jem/Tessa pairing...even though Jem's basically dying. Have I mentioned that I hate the lightwoods? As someone who has read the first 3 books of The Mortal Instruments, I'm surprised by this. I can't stand Gabriel. And Magnus! My love! Sassy as ever. (hide spoiler)]

For those who have read The Mortal Instruments...even the first book (view spoiler)[ You know how annoying Clary can be? Well...ugh, I found Tessa even worse. The things she did, some of them were so stupid. It seemed like she lost all brain function. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'll rate this one 3.5 but bump it up to a 4. There were some good parts and I'll admit that it was a good start to the series.

[Snowtulip]

I just started last nigth and the book has sucked me in! Had a similar experience with The Mortal Instruments. Can't wait to see all your spoilers!

[Rebecca]

I agree with you Caron (view spoiler)[ I really would like the Jem/Tessa pairing because Jem is such a sweetie and seems to really want to help Tessa cope with everything that's going on. Will is just frustrating and only does whatever is good for him most of the time. I just hope we get to find out what's going on with him in the next one! (hide spoiler)]

I just put the next 2 books in this series on hold at the library. I'm listening to the audiobooks and they are great.

[Caron]

I was told to read the mortal instruments years ago and I kept saying no. These BR's made me want to join. My parents got me the entire mortal instruments set for my birthday and I'm loving it!

[Caron]

RebeccaS wrote: "I agree with you Caron [spoilers removed]

I just put the next 2 books in this series on hold at the library. I'm listening to the audiobooks and they are great."

My local bookstore doesn't have the physical copies of both clockwork prince, I might have to get the ebook for that one. They do have the third book though. Unfortunately, there's no library where I live.