You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
I had forgotten how much this book destoyed me the first time I read it, and even more now.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So, I know my past two reviews for this series have been kinda fangirl-centric so I've decided to give y'all a real review for this one as a way to wrap up the series.
4.5 Clockwork Stars
There are so many reasons I have come to love this series and these characters, even though I started off as a major critic. I was a terrible skeptic and was very critical of Clare and her decision to drag out this Shadowhunter business for all it's worth. But as I began reading this series, I found myself sucked in and absolutely enthralled by the Victorian world, the three-dimensional characters, and the uniquely engaging plot-line.
One main reason I think why this series appealed to me so much was because the genre encompassed three of my all-time favorite genres: paranormal romance, historical romance, and snuggable chick-lit (which is my own invention of a genre). I love historical romances--the world, the clothes, the language, and the different air and mannerisms which are just so different from what we're used to in today's society. I love the paranormal genre--they allow me to transport myself into a world that doesn't exist in today's society (that we know of) and it's always fun to see how we could live. And who doesn't love books you're able to snuggle up with and binge-read for an entire weekend?! This is why I enjoyed these books so much, and I don't care who knows it.
Okay, now that I got all of the lovey-dovey, gushy emotions out of the way, I've got to get down to the nitty-gritty--what I didn't like about this series (particularly the last novel Clockwork Princess). This is gonna turn into a spoilerish semi-rant, so prepare yourselves people.
Okay, so I lied. I'm going to start out with another thing I loved about this series and book first--the amazing parabatai relationship between Will and Jem. I felt that we really got to see how deep and full of understanding, acceptance, and loyalty their bond was, and it absolutely broke my heart. From the blurb, we know that Jem's reliance on the yin fen is being used as a weapon by Mortmain to get to Tessa. And because Jem's life is thereby threatened, we see how far Will is willing to go and how he is willing to risk his own life in order to save his brother's.
It was because of this great love that we are able to witness that I was so upset over how the love triangle between Will, Tessa, and Jem unfolds. (*spoilers ahead--read on with caution*!!)
And I can't help but feel like Will got royally screwed out of this whole ordeal and Tessa gets all the fun stuff with both parabatai. So after Will dies (*sobs*), Tessa reconnects with Jem over thirty years later, and it's insinuated that she and Jem begin a "new and wonderful" life together. First off, I don't wanna know about my Will dying! Let's just keep it at them happily riding off into the sunset on a white unicorn with plenty of children and grandchildren to keep their legacy going. Secondly, since Jem had arranged with Tessa to meet once a year (for the rest of everdom since they both live forever) at the place where he first knew he loved her, it kinda seemed like he was hoping for this exact situation to happen (no matter his love and loyalty for his parabatai). He finds the cure to his addiction, becomes mortal again, and all of a sudden is ready and willing to replace his blood brother in Tessa's life.
Although, if I were him, I wouldn't exactly want that position anymore because it seems to me that he will always be second-best (and sort of like a consolation prize) to Tessa. I mean think about it: she had him first but chose Will, and now that Will is gone she is willing to take him back again (and all-of-a-sudden remembers how it felt to "love" him).
I just think the entire book and series would have been so much better if this little factoid had been left out. I mean why is it SO hard for heroines to MAKE A DAMN CHOICE when it comes to our swoony heroes?! Us readers usually are able to make a choice within the first meeting, so why can't they?! Tessa, honey, just ask Elena if flip-flopping between brothers worked out for her.
Newsflash: it doesn't.
I just think that in this instance, the way the whole love triangle thing ended up happening cheapened the love, loyalty, and unbreakable bond between Will and Jem. I thought their relationship was so beautiful and unique, but I was left so disappointed at the end of this book. That's why I've decided to end this novel at the last chapter and NOT the epilogue. I'm just happier that way.
Nevertheless, I loved this series! It's full of romance, forbidden love, unrequited love, everlasting love, adventure, suspense, magic, creepy automatons, fun, witty Will one-liners, and so much more. I can say that I will definitely be continuing to follow the Shadowhunter series, but William Herondale will always be special to me.
4.5 Clockwork Stars
There are so many reasons I have come to love this series and these characters, even though I started off as a major critic. I was a terrible skeptic and was very critical of Clare and her decision to drag out this Shadowhunter business for all it's worth. But as I began reading this series, I found myself sucked in and absolutely enthralled by the Victorian world, the three-dimensional characters, and the uniquely engaging plot-line.
One main reason I think why this series appealed to me so much was because the genre encompassed three of my all-time favorite genres: paranormal romance, historical romance, and snuggable chick-lit (which is my own invention of a genre). I love historical romances--the world, the clothes, the language, and the different air and mannerisms which are just so different from what we're used to in today's society. I love the paranormal genre--they allow me to transport myself into a world that doesn't exist in today's society (that we know of) and it's always fun to see how we could live. And who doesn't love books you're able to snuggle up with and binge-read for an entire weekend?! This is why I enjoyed these books so much, and I don't care who knows it.
Okay, now that I got all of the lovey-dovey, gushy emotions out of the way, I've got to get down to the nitty-gritty--what I didn't like about this series (particularly the last novel Clockwork Princess). This is gonna turn into a spoilerish semi-rant, so prepare yourselves people.
Okay, so I lied. I'm going to start out with another thing I loved about this series and book first--the amazing parabatai relationship between Will and Jem. I felt that we really got to see how deep and full of understanding, acceptance, and loyalty their bond was, and it absolutely broke my heart. From the blurb, we know that Jem's reliance on the yin fen is being used as a weapon by Mortmain to get to Tessa. And because Jem's life is thereby threatened, we see how far Will is willing to go and how he is willing to risk his own life in order to save his brother's.
It was because of this great love that we are able to witness that I was so upset over how the love triangle between Will, Tessa, and Jem unfolds. (*spoilers ahead--read on with caution*!!)
Spoiler
At first, the Team Will member in me was feeling a little low because of Tessa and her stubborn engagement to a man she didn't really love (no matter what she kept on insisting). I really don't see how you can love two men equally--it's the reason she kept thinking about Will while she was supposedly happily engaged to Jem. But then Jem's condition worsens and Will is forced to go after Tessa and finally tell Jem of his feelings for her. So then we finally get our HEA between Will and Tessa (YAY!). And then the epilogue happens... And I can't help but feel like Will got royally screwed out of this whole ordeal and Tessa gets all the fun stuff with both parabatai. So after Will dies (*sobs*), Tessa reconnects with Jem over thirty years later, and it's insinuated that she and Jem begin a "new and wonderful" life together. First off, I don't wanna know about my Will dying! Let's just keep it at them happily riding off into the sunset on a white unicorn with plenty of children and grandchildren to keep their legacy going. Secondly, since Jem had arranged with Tessa to meet once a year (for the rest of everdom since they both live forever) at the place where he first knew he loved her, it kinda seemed like he was hoping for this exact situation to happen (no matter his love and loyalty for his parabatai). He finds the cure to his addiction, becomes mortal again, and all of a sudden is ready and willing to replace his blood brother in Tessa's life.
Although, if I were him, I wouldn't exactly want that position anymore because it seems to me that he will always be second-best (and sort of like a consolation prize) to Tessa. I mean think about it: she had him first but chose Will, and now that Will is gone she is willing to take him back again (and all-of-a-sudden remembers how it felt to "love" him).
I just think the entire book and series would have been so much better if this little factoid had been left out. I mean why is it SO hard for heroines to MAKE A DAMN CHOICE when it comes to our swoony heroes?! Us readers usually are able to make a choice within the first meeting, so why can't they?! Tessa, honey, just ask Elena if flip-flopping between brothers worked out for her.
Newsflash: it doesn't.
I just think that in this instance, the way the whole love triangle thing ended up happening cheapened the love, loyalty, and unbreakable bond between Will and Jem. I thought their relationship was so beautiful and unique, but I was left so disappointed at the end of this book. That's why I've decided to end this novel at the last chapter and NOT the epilogue. I'm just happier that way.
Nevertheless, I loved this series! It's full of romance, forbidden love, unrequited love, everlasting love, adventure, suspense, magic, creepy automatons, fun, witty Will one-liners, and so much more. I can say that I will definitely be continuing to follow the Shadowhunter series, but William Herondale will always be special to me.
Clockwork Princess was an incredible conclusion.
Honestly I’m speechless. My love for these characters have resurfaced and even grown since the last time I held this book in my hands. Only Cassandra can draw out such a feeling from me.
The epic closing of Will, Tessa, and Jem’s story left nothing to be desired. Every question I had was answered. Every moment left unfinished came to a satisfying conclusion at some point in the story, and therefor this is 100000/5 stars from me.
Once again there is hardly anything I need to critique or dissect, because Cassandra Clare is a genius who deserves only applause for her work.
Also, she created James Carstairs (Ke Jian Ming) and I will never ever be able to thank her enough for that.
Okay bye. WE MOVE ON TO CHAIN OF GOLD
Honestly I’m speechless. My love for these characters have resurfaced and even grown since the last time I held this book in my hands. Only Cassandra can draw out such a feeling from me.
The epic closing of Will, Tessa, and Jem’s story left nothing to be desired. Every question I had was answered. Every moment left unfinished came to a satisfying conclusion at some point in the story, and therefor this is 100000/5 stars from me.
Once again there is hardly anything I need to critique or dissect, because Cassandra Clare is a genius who deserves only applause for her work.
Also, she created James Carstairs (Ke Jian Ming) and I will never ever be able to thank her enough for that.
Okay bye. WE MOVE ON TO CHAIN OF GOLD
I am still quite unimpressed by this series. It was a struggle to finish it so I'm proud of myself for having done so. Now to move on to TMI, I've heard some people say the Infernal Devices are not as good as TMI so I'm hoping I have better luck with them.
I must say though, that epilogue?! It completely slayed me.
I must say though, that epilogue?! It completely slayed me.
I did not finish this book, i think i got a quarter in and was annoyed at the lack of story development. Like why are we repeating the same thing "who am i, what am i blah blah blah" it was starting to annoy me. Her first series is so good, why are all her other ones flopping.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The fact that it was Will and Tessa's last descendant, Jace Herondale, who ended up healing Jem so that he could be with Tessa, is ironic.
Charlotte taking her maiden name back explains how she's Clary's ancestor. I can just imagine what Tessa and Jem must think of how the Lightwoods, Herondales, Cartairs, and Fairchilds are still connected and working together. Even Magnus!
Unrelated, but in CoHF, Jem really took Church and left the wedding at the end, like, "Bye, bitches, I'm taking my cat back."
And now I realize that Church is over a hundred years old. Dam, that's one old cat.
Charlotte taking her maiden name back explains how she's Clary's ancestor. I can just imagine what Tessa and Jem must think of how the Lightwoods, Herondales, Cartairs, and Fairchilds are still connected and working together. Even Magnus!
Unrelated, but in CoHF, Jem really took Church and left the wedding at the end, like, "Bye, bitches, I'm taking my cat back."
And now I realize that Church is over a hundred years old. Dam, that's one old cat.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes