Scan barcode
bookthief's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was filled with action and intense multiple plot lines.
The fact that Charlotte only had 2 weeks to find Mortmain was actually crazy. I knew from the start that would be impossible considering they were no where near finding him. But I was very glad in the end that Charlotte got to keep the institute due to the fact that she blackmailed Lightwood with the truth about his wife and Nathanial Gray. I was also very pleased that Henry and Charlotte managed to finally talk about there relationship and work things out.
I felt very bad for Will when I found out why he was trying to summon the demon. I was shocked to find out the curse the Marbas put on Will was a fake and that he had lived 5 years of his life pushing away everyone because he was scared that everyone would die. I was also be try shocked when his family was in one of Mortmains houses, and I was even more shocked when Cecily came to the institute at the end and asked to be trained to become a Shadowhunter. Will must of been in shock.
Tessa, was again, a great character. I loved her relationship with Sophie in this book. How they always trusted and confided in each other on their struggles. I loved how they trained together, strengthening their friendship. I was surprised when she found out her parents were a Shadowhunter and a demon, which is literally impossible so I’m very curious to find out more. I felt really bad for her that Nate died but I was kind of glad considering he was a pain.
Jen remained a sweet caring character throughout, who grew very close to Tessa. I was shocked when he proposed to her at the end. Especially when I was rooting for Will to get with Tessa considering everything he’s been through.
Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one to see how the story turns out.
The fact that Charlotte only had 2 weeks to find Mortmain was actually crazy. I knew from the start that would be impossible considering they were no where near finding him. But I was very glad in the end that Charlotte got to keep the institute due to the fact that she blackmailed Lightwood with the truth about his wife and Nathanial Gray. I was also very pleased that Henry and Charlotte managed to finally talk about there relationship and work things out.
I felt very bad for Will when I found out why he was trying to summon the demon. I was shocked to find out the curse the Marbas put on Will was a fake and that he had lived 5 years of his life pushing away everyone because he was scared that everyone would die. I was also be try shocked when his family was in one of Mortmains houses, and I was even more shocked when Cecily came to the institute at the end and asked to be trained to become a Shadowhunter. Will must of been in shock.
Tessa, was again, a great character. I loved her relationship with Sophie in this book. How they always trusted and confided in each other on their struggles. I loved how they trained together, strengthening their friendship. I was surprised when she found out her parents were a Shadowhunter and a demon, which is literally impossible so I’m very curious to find out more. I felt really bad for her that Nate died but I was kind of glad considering he was a pain.
Jen remained a sweet caring character throughout, who grew very close to Tessa. I was shocked when he proposed to her at the end. Especially when I was rooting for Will to get with Tessa considering everything he’s been through.
Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one to see how the story turns out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Drug use, Murder, Violence, and War
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
ynkm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
Minor: Self harm, Infertility, Suicide, and Death of parent
katyfayyyx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Also, this book is making me remember why I have only ever read this series once even thought I loved it the first time because I just forgot how sad and painfully and it is going to ruin my whole life all over again. Also, I am emotionally unstable because I did really nearly cry when Charlotte called Tessa, 'my Tessa.'
I do live for all these characters and the relationship in this book but I would go for war for my girl Charlotte and how she just loves and care all of them and how they are just her kids. I mean I do love all the women in this book because they just make me feel so gay and I would die for all of them. However, I do think it is really sad that she doesn't think that they all love her and she doesn't think that she good enough for anything and just want to give her a hug and I love her. Like, Jem and Will's friendship god why the fuck did they make me cry when they were talking about how they saved each other and how Jem's death and how they both need and care for each other and also there is nothing straight about Will saying that 'Jem's is his greatest sin.' and how he has only ever let himself love and care for him because he was going to die anyway. It was just so funny when Tessa tells Will that her and Jem were getting married and he said 'my Jem.' When Will and Jem were talking at the end about Tessa and Will is trying to be happy for him because he loves him but it is killing him and it made me want to scream and cry into my pillow because this is going to be the death of me. I forgot how sad this book actually is. Also Will''s whole side plot with the curse and it is just really sad that he has made himself unloveable to protect the people he loves and then when he finally knows he can love people and the one person he wanted to curse breaking for he was just to late and that made me want to scream into my pillow. Even though the really love's Tessa but he loved Tessa and Jem enough to put his happiness aside because they made each other happy and it is just so sad. Also I lived for my girlboss Sophie and how chaotic she was when she attacked Jessie and it was just Will and Tessa taking to fix it and Sophie was having a mild mental breakdown in the corner like they were just so funny and just love how much she loves and care for Charlotte and how her and Tessa are bestie they are just so cute and she is just doing queen shit and always defending Charlotte to anyone and she will hears nothing bad or wrong about her. Also there are just so funny when they were all find out about Tessa and Jem and Gideon was just so uncomfortable and I don't care they can do no wrong. And then to top this book off another queen as arrived and that is Cecily Herondale!!!!I can't lie I don't really care about the plot and i just care more about the characters.
I can't lie I love all the romance in this series and I would die for all of them but I can't lie I will always be a lover of Gideon and Sophie they are just so cute and I love to see my girl being loved and he is so whipped and he just wants to impress her and he's just can't keep his eyes of her, like he just want to impress and they are just really cute and fluffy and they are just so wholesome. I just love how Gideon is already so madly in love with teacher and I can't blame him but she's so in love with him. Also Henry and Charlotte my loves, they are just so so cute especially when Charlotte was hurt and Henry was going crazy and was really upset and when they were just so chaotic and they both thought each other were mad at each other and the both thought that the each person didn't love each other or care about each other and they both thought that they didn't want to get married to each other and Charlotte and Henry are having a child is everything and I would die for them. I do like Jem and Tessa because they are cute especially when he said in Chinese that he loves her and he didn't want to lose her but they just don't have the fire that Will and Tessa have, god Will and Tessa man... I would die for both of them and I just want to give them both a huge but I also want to slapped them for being so dumb like it is so obvious that they love each-other !!! There were just so many moments that just lived for them like he is just so in love with her and it just painful especially the bit when he sacrifices himself to protect to her from the explosion and then Tessa pass out from the shock of seeing Will hurt and the Ball their make out scene the passion the fire, like this fucking men when he unpins her hair and then they just start making out with her. Also I love how she's is trying to convinced herself that she loves Jem more and is not in love with Will and he doesn't really love her.
There is just one thing about this series that annoy me about this book about how much people care that Sophie has a scar and that it is always brought up and I just don't think it something that needs to be bought up as if she is ugly just because she has a scar which she is not and I just think a number of different things that could be brought up and developed more than just the fact that she has a scar on her face and I do think that is what is happening with her romance plot line with Gideon which I love but there is just something about how it is dealt with that is just really unconformable and rubs me the wrong way.
I do live for all these characters and the relationship in this book but I would go for war for my girl Charlotte and how she just loves and care all of them and how they are just her kids. I mean I do love all the women in this book because they just make me feel so gay and I would die for all of them. However, I do think it is really sad that she doesn't think that they all love her and she doesn't think that she good enough for anything and just want to give her a hug and I love her. Like, Jem and Will's friendship god why the fuck did they make me cry when they were talking about how they saved each other and how Jem's death and how they both need and care for each other and also there is nothing straight about Will saying that 'Jem's is his greatest sin.' and how he has only ever let himself love and care for him because he was going to die anyway. It was just so funny when Tessa tells Will that her and Jem were getting married and he said 'my Jem.' When Will and Jem were talking at the end about Tessa and Will is trying to be happy for him because he loves him but it is killing him and it made me want to scream and cry into my pillow because this is going to be the death of me. I forgot how sad this book actually is. Also Will''s whole side plot with the curse and it is just really sad that he has made himself unloveable to protect the people he loves and then when he finally knows he can love people and the one person he wanted to curse breaking for he was just to late and that made me want to scream into my pillow. Even though the really love's Tessa but he loved Tessa and Jem enough to put his happiness aside because they made each other happy and it is just so sad. Also I lived for my girlboss Sophie and how chaotic she was when she attacked Jessie and it was just Will and Tessa taking to fix it and Sophie was having a mild mental breakdown in the corner like they were just so funny and just love how much she loves and care for Charlotte and how her and Tessa are bestie they are just so cute and she is just doing queen shit and always defending Charlotte to anyone and she will hears nothing bad or wrong about her. Also there are just so funny when they were all find out about Tessa and Jem and Gideon was just so uncomfortable and I don't care they can do no wrong. And then to top this book off another queen as arrived and that is Cecily Herondale!!!!I can't lie I don't really care about the plot and i just care more about the characters.
I can't lie I love all the romance in this series and I would die for all of them but I can't lie I will always be a lover of Gideon and Sophie they are just so cute and I love to see my girl being loved and he is so whipped and he just wants to impress her and he's just can't keep his eyes of her, like he just want to impress and they are just really cute and fluffy and they are just so wholesome. I just love how Gideon is already so madly in love with teacher and I can't blame him but she's so in love with him. Also Henry and Charlotte my loves, they are just so so cute especially when Charlotte was hurt and Henry was going crazy and was really upset and when they were just so chaotic and they both thought each other were mad at each other and the both thought that the each person didn't love each other or care about each other and they both thought that they didn't want to get married to each other and Charlotte and Henry are having a child is everything and I would die for them. I do like Jem and Tessa because they are cute especially when he said in Chinese that he loves her and he didn't want to lose her but they just don't have the fire that Will and Tessa have, god Will and Tessa man... I would die for both of them and I just want to give them both a huge but I also want to slapped them for being so dumb like it is so obvious that they love each-other !!! There were just so many moments that just lived for them like he is just so in love with her and it just painful especially the bit when he sacrifices himself to protect to her from the explosion and then Tessa pass out from the shock of seeing Will hurt and the Ball their make out scene the passion the fire, like this fucking men when he unpins her hair and then they just start making out with her. Also I love how she's is trying to convinced herself that she loves Jem more and is not in love with Will and he doesn't really love her.
There is just one thing about this series that annoy me about this book about how much people care that Sophie has a scar and that it is always brought up and I just don't think it something that needs to be bought up as if she is ugly just because she has a scar which she is not and I just think a number of different things that could be brought up and developed more than just the fact that she has a scar on her face and I do think that is what is happening with her romance plot line with Gideon which I love but there is just something about how it is dealt with that is just really unconformable and rubs me the wrong way.
"I am Cecily Herondale, you see. I have come to be trained as a Shadowhunter."-Chapter Twenty-One: Coals Of Fire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Medical content, Violence, Murder, Death, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Sexism, Drug use, Grief, and Addiction
Moderate: Alcohol, Torture, Child death, Sexual content, and Self harm
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, War, Infidelity, Confinement, and Death of parent
sudatot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, Confinement, Infidelity, Medical content, Violence, War, Dementia, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
anskutiti's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Death
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
meleac07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent
allonsythornraxx's review
3.0
20/10/2019
3 ⭐
I didn't love this. I knew it was more centred around Will so I never thought it would be a 5 star read but, I thought at least I would appreciate it enough to rate it 4 stars. I found it difficult to motivate myself to read this one, so while the audiobook was dreadful it really did save me here.
Clockwork Angel | ★★★★☆ | review
You can find my reviews for The Mortal Instruments series here.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, whipping, murder, torture, injury, near-death experiences, loss of a loved one, fatal illness
★★★☆☆
Character Guide ⇩
►Tessa Grey → Main character, American, Warlock/Shapeshifter
►Will (William) Herondale – Shadowhunter
►Jem (James) Carstairs – shadowhunter, (mother) Chinese (father) British, Bi-racial
►Nathaniel Grey – Tessa’s brother
►Sophie – servant/maid, has “the sight”
►Thomas – driver, servant
►Henry Branwell– older, inventor
►Charlotte Branwell – Henry’s wife, very nice,
►Jessamine Lovelace– vain, soo rude, angry
“It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.”
So, I reviewed Clockwork Angel a few months ago and surprisingly really enjoyed it, so I was optimistically excited to start book 2. If you didn’t read that review then I’ll quickly preface my review for book 2, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Will in the first book and he was what I was least excited about for this book. That being said, I did try to go into this with an open mind and I will say that I hope I will grow to like him more in the final book.
“When Will truly wants something,” said Jem, quietly, “when he feels something — he can break your heart.”
THE GOOD
I do want to stress that this was not a bad book it just entered around a character I don’t particularly care about, so while my “likes” list is smaller than all the bad stuff, I did still like this book.
So, what was good about this book?
- Sophie & Gideon made me smile, honestly, I think I just like Sophie??? Plus a strong soft boi?? I’m down.
- Henry is less 1 dimensional in this book so I have high hopes for him in book 3. I am rooting for him and his inventions and I hope he doesn’t die in the finale. 👌👌
- I’m finding that I’m learning a lot more about the Shadowhunter world through these prequel books, compared to The Mortal Instruments. For example, you can’t have a parabatai if you’re older than 18 which I found really interesting.
- I definitely have my critiques of Clare’s books but I do always find Shadowhunter politics really interesting. Like, you can’t have romantic relationships between parabatai because that’ll result in a major infraction from the clave. Also, I’m pretty sure Clare tackles this in a later trilogy so that should be interesting.
- OOOH, also we learnt about Shadowhunter spoils of war in this book and it was disgusting but so disturbingly realistic that I ended up writing down a bunch of notes about it. Turns out, Shadowhunter SOW are literal body parts of warlocks, vampires, werewolves etc (not mundanes or Shadowhunters). Totally disturbing and unfortunately, because the Shadowhunters are an overwhelmingly racist people, this is totally realistic.
“They say time heals all wounds, but that presumes the source of the grief is finite”
WILL HERONDALE
I know the entire reading world is going to hate me for this but for the most part I really can’t stand Will. I will admit that I’m warming to him, but for 90% of this book, I was not a big fan of him.
If you want to know exactly how I was feeling as I read the book here’s a fun extract from my notes on Will:
“I know he’s bound to have a dark and tragic past that for whatever reason excuses all of his atrocious past behaviours, but I absolutely can’t stand him and the whole off and on niceness is beyond irritating. If you want to hate the world then hate it, don’t play around with people and give them whiplash whenever you’re nice.“
And, you know what? I stand by this. I do feel sorry for Will because he’s believed this curse since he was 12 and that’s a long time to convince yourself that something you saw or heard was real, but as a reader I think this is ridiculous since I know CC’s writing pretty well at this stage of her career (so far) and I knew from the minute we learned about it, that this would turn out to be the big plot twist of the book. So, I do feel sorry for Will but only to an extent because I still think his actions speak louder than his curse, and if he’d really cared about the people around him like he says he does, then he would have tried to break it years ago, at least for Jem (that excuse only works to a point) and maybe Charlotte who are his family, and not for a girl he barely knows.
I also find Will to be a really confusing guy, I’m all for complex characters but he’s just being dark for the sake of it and it just hurts other characters. I knew there would be a tragic reason for his personality and actins but it came across weirdly and honestly in my eyes, everything he did in the last book and this one just hurt him. I really can’t understand why Tessa was the catalyst for him trying to break the curse when he says that he also loves everyone he loves with. I don’t know, y’all, I don’t know.
I’m pretty sure Clockwork Prince is a lot of people’s favourite and I’m pretty sure that’s because of Will and I honestly don’t understand the attraction. I’m so over the tragic bad boy with a sad and traumatic past so Will just really doesn’t do it for me. I honestly wonder what I ould have thought of Will had I not assumed from the get go that curse wasn’t real. BUT I really do think that Will, if he really believed he was cursed SHOULD have done something about it. If it was such a big deal that has affected his life for so long and affected his relationships with people then he should have gone to the high warlock and at least asked about it. And, if it was real and it was dangerous enough he should’ve moved far away or really made an effort to uncurse himself. I just don’t understand Will, as a person, and considering this book is largely focused on him and that there’s only one book left, I can’t imagine that I’m going to like him much more in the third book, but a gal can hope, right?
“We live and breathe words.”
JESSAMINE
Jessaine. Oh, Jessamine, thou art… a brat.
So, you might think I’m totally heartless because I criticise Will but sympathise with Jessamine. Jessamine is a brat, but you have to admit she really is in a corner. If she left the Shadowhunter world she would have nothing. She would literally have to start at ground zero and no doubt she would not have a good or long life. So, I do sympathise with her, I think this world has made her bitter and afraid and lonely. She does not want to be a fighter or to die young and alone, but she is constantly being told that she doesn’t get a say and that she doesn’t have a choice. So, yes on the surface she seems completely awful, and that’s because she is, but I think there is more to her. She’s grown up in a world that she doesn’t want to be a part of and been raised to be someone she doesn’t want to be, so why should she be happy? I know we like to laugh or scoff about how she clings to the thought of any men with no ties in the SH world, but they really are her only ticket out of that world, so I do understand why she tries so hard.
Jessamine says some absolutely brash and horrible things but I think it’s mildly understandable, but in no way excusable. I can’t stand here and say that Will’s behaviour and comments are inexcusable and then come along and excuse Jessamine. They both have pasts and they both have bad attitudes, and I think they both could have done things better, but Will had more choice in the matter, which is hilarious since his problem was a curse and Jessamine’s was her autonomy.
I don’t excuse her actions or stand by them, but I do understand them. ‘Nuf said.
“Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind.”
THE AUDIOBOOK
In my review of book 1, I recommended the audiobook because honestly, it was really good, so I can’t believe I’m about to say this but the audiobook for book 2 is awful. It’s not as bad as the audio for City of Fallen Angels but it honestly was awful and I think it played a big part in me never wanting to pick up and continue reading this book.
I also didn’t love the American accents (but I don’t love that accent anyway… lol burrrrn) and I also thought all the characters sounded WAY older than they actually are. For example, Charlotte is a 23 year old character but sounds like she’s in her late 50s which felt super weird to me and if I didn’t have that in the back of my mind, it would have totally changed her storyline for me.
“God knows we’re all drawn to what’s beautiful and broken.”
RANDOM & OVERALL THOUGHTS
- “all the downworlders seem sinister EXCEPT FOR MAGNUS” because Cassie needs you to like him and also he’s gay and obviously you can’t be gay and evil duh. Honestly, I don’t love how downworlders are portrayed in any of these books.
- The moment Tessa finally realised that it can’t be easy for Jem to be so kind and optimistic all the time I was like YES FINALLY THANK YOU I mean he’s legit a dying teenager who is still expected to fight (physically and mentally) every day. He must be exhausted.
- Shadowhunter politics are confusing – you’re not supposed to marry mundanes, or even really talk to them but mundanes can become Shadowhunters and then you can marry them?? I’m so confused.
- If book 1 was Tessa and book 2 is all about Will then I’m really hoping we’ll see more of a focus on or at least MORE of Jem in book 3 (I’m assuming he’s going to die, or come pretty close to, and Tessa will end up with Will because the bad bois always hail victorious) because I really do like him but he’s presented as more of a background character for most of this book which felt ridiculous because he’s a love interest and also Will’s best friend. #JusticeForJem
- This was kind of predictable. Going through my notes to write this review was a wild ride because I predicted SO MUCH of what happened in this book, and also not that much actually happened in this book??? Not only was it predictable but it was mostly a focus on the characters and primarily the love triangle that’s only kind of a love triangle, between Tessa, Will and Jem.
Overall, I found this book completely unmemorable and it took me absolutely too long to read AND I do not recommend the audiobook.
So, my review is finally over and I don’t want to keep you here any longer. So, I’ll leave you with these two questions that hopefully, someone can answer for me in the comments.
1. Why are all the Silent Bros men???
2. Do all these kids just go around memorising book quotes to randomly spit out in conversation all the time?
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, whipping, murder, torture, injury, near-death experiences, loss of a loved one, fatal illness
3 ⭐
I didn't love this. I knew it was more centred around Will so I never thought it would be a 5 star read but, I thought at least I would appreciate it enough to rate it 4 stars. I found it difficult to motivate myself to read this one, so while the audiobook was dreadful it really did save me here.
Clockwork Angel | ★★★★☆ | review
You can find my reviews for The Mortal Instruments series here.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, whipping, murder, torture, injury, near-death experiences, loss of a loved one, fatal illness
★★★☆☆
Character Guide ⇩
►Tessa Grey → Main character, American, Warlock/Shapeshifter
►Will (William) Herondale – Shadowhunter
►Jem (James) Carstairs – shadowhunter, (mother) Chinese (father) British, Bi-racial
►Nathaniel Grey – Tessa’s brother
►Sophie – servant/maid, has “the sight”
►Thomas – driver, servant
►Henry Branwell– older, inventor
►Charlotte Branwell – Henry’s wife, very nice,
►Jessamine Lovelace– vain, soo rude, angry
“It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.”
So, I reviewed Clockwork Angel a few months ago and surprisingly really enjoyed it, so I was optimistically excited to start book 2. If you didn’t read that review then I’ll quickly preface my review for book 2, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Will in the first book and he was what I was least excited about for this book. That being said, I did try to go into this with an open mind and I will say that I hope I will grow to like him more in the final book.
“When Will truly wants something,” said Jem, quietly, “when he feels something — he can break your heart.”
THE GOOD
I do want to stress that this was not a bad book it just entered around a character I don’t particularly care about, so while my “likes” list is smaller than all the bad stuff, I did still like this book.
So, what was good about this book?
- Sophie & Gideon made me smile, honestly, I think I just like Sophie??? Plus a strong soft boi?? I’m down.
- Henry is less 1 dimensional in this book so I have high hopes for him in book 3. I am rooting for him and his inventions and I hope he doesn’t die in the finale. 👌👌
- I’m finding that I’m learning a lot more about the Shadowhunter world through these prequel books, compared to The Mortal Instruments. For example, you can’t have a parabatai if you’re older than 18 which I found really interesting.
- I definitely have my critiques of Clare’s books but I do always find Shadowhunter politics really interesting. Like, you can’t have romantic relationships between parabatai because that’ll result in a major infraction from the clave. Also, I’m pretty sure Clare tackles this in a later trilogy so that should be interesting.
- OOOH, also we learnt about Shadowhunter spoils of war in this book and it was disgusting but so disturbingly realistic that I ended up writing down a bunch of notes about it. Turns out, Shadowhunter SOW are literal body parts of warlocks, vampires, werewolves etc (not mundanes or Shadowhunters). Totally disturbing and unfortunately, because the Shadowhunters are an overwhelmingly racist people, this is totally realistic.
“They say time heals all wounds, but that presumes the source of the grief is finite”
WILL HERONDALE
I know the entire reading world is going to hate me for this but for the most part I really can’t stand Will. I will admit that I’m warming to him, but for 90% of this book, I was not a big fan of him.
If you want to know exactly how I was feeling as I read the book here’s a fun extract from my notes on Will:
“I know he’s bound to have a dark and tragic past that for whatever reason excuses all of his atrocious past behaviours, but I absolutely can’t stand him and the whole off and on niceness is beyond irritating. If you want to hate the world then hate it, don’t play around with people and give them whiplash whenever you’re nice.“
And, you know what? I stand by this. I do feel sorry for Will because he’s believed this curse since he was 12 and that’s a long time to convince yourself that something you saw or heard was real, but as a reader I think this is ridiculous since I know CC’s writing pretty well at this stage of her career (so far) and I knew from the minute we learned about it, that this would turn out to be the big plot twist of the book. So, I do feel sorry for Will but only to an extent because I still think his actions speak louder than his curse, and if he’d really cared about the people around him like he says he does, then he would have tried to break it years ago, at least for Jem (that excuse only works to a point) and maybe Charlotte who are his family, and not for a girl he barely knows.
I also find Will to be a really confusing guy, I’m all for complex characters but he’s just being dark for the sake of it and it just hurts other characters. I knew there would be a tragic reason for his personality and actins but it came across weirdly and honestly in my eyes, everything he did in the last book and this one just hurt him. I really can’t understand why Tessa was the catalyst for him trying to break the curse when he says that he also loves everyone he loves with. I don’t know, y’all, I don’t know.
I’m pretty sure Clockwork Prince is a lot of people’s favourite and I’m pretty sure that’s because of Will and I honestly don’t understand the attraction. I’m so over the tragic bad boy with a sad and traumatic past so Will just really doesn’t do it for me. I honestly wonder what I ould have thought of Will had I not assumed from the get go that curse wasn’t real. BUT I really do think that Will, if he really believed he was cursed SHOULD have done something about it. If it was such a big deal that has affected his life for so long and affected his relationships with people then he should have gone to the high warlock and at least asked about it. And, if it was real and it was dangerous enough he should’ve moved far away or really made an effort to uncurse himself. I just don’t understand Will, as a person, and considering this book is largely focused on him and that there’s only one book left, I can’t imagine that I’m going to like him much more in the third book, but a gal can hope, right?
“We live and breathe words.”
JESSAMINE
Jessaine. Oh, Jessamine, thou art… a brat.
So, you might think I’m totally heartless because I criticise Will but sympathise with Jessamine. Jessamine is a brat, but you have to admit she really is in a corner. If she left the Shadowhunter world she would have nothing. She would literally have to start at ground zero and no doubt she would not have a good or long life. So, I do sympathise with her, I think this world has made her bitter and afraid and lonely. She does not want to be a fighter or to die young and alone, but she is constantly being told that she doesn’t get a say and that she doesn’t have a choice. So, yes on the surface she seems completely awful, and that’s because she is, but I think there is more to her. She’s grown up in a world that she doesn’t want to be a part of and been raised to be someone she doesn’t want to be, so why should she be happy? I know we like to laugh or scoff about how she clings to the thought of any men with no ties in the SH world, but they really are her only ticket out of that world, so I do understand why she tries so hard.
Jessamine says some absolutely brash and horrible things but I think it’s mildly understandable, but in no way excusable. I can’t stand here and say that Will’s behaviour and comments are inexcusable and then come along and excuse Jessamine. They both have pasts and they both have bad attitudes, and I think they both could have done things better, but Will had more choice in the matter, which is hilarious since his problem was a curse and Jessamine’s was her autonomy.
I don’t excuse her actions or stand by them, but I do understand them. ‘Nuf said.
“Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind.”
THE AUDIOBOOK
In my review of book 1, I recommended the audiobook because honestly, it was really good, so I can’t believe I’m about to say this but the audiobook for book 2 is awful. It’s not as bad as the audio for City of Fallen Angels but it honestly was awful and I think it played a big part in me never wanting to pick up and continue reading this book.
I also didn’t love the American accents (but I don’t love that accent anyway… lol burrrrn) and I also thought all the characters sounded WAY older than they actually are. For example, Charlotte is a 23 year old character but sounds like she’s in her late 50s which felt super weird to me and if I didn’t have that in the back of my mind, it would have totally changed her storyline for me.
“God knows we’re all drawn to what’s beautiful and broken.”
RANDOM & OVERALL THOUGHTS
- “all the downworlders seem sinister EXCEPT FOR MAGNUS” because Cassie needs you to like him and also he’s gay and obviously you can’t be gay and evil duh. Honestly, I don’t love how downworlders are portrayed in any of these books.
- The moment Tessa finally realised that it can’t be easy for Jem to be so kind and optimistic all the time I was like YES FINALLY THANK YOU I mean he’s legit a dying teenager who is still expected to fight (physically and mentally) every day. He must be exhausted.
- Shadowhunter politics are confusing – you’re not supposed to marry mundanes, or even really talk to them but mundanes can become Shadowhunters and then you can marry them?? I’m so confused.
- If book 1 was Tessa and book 2 is all about Will then I’m really hoping we’ll see more of a focus on or at least MORE of Jem in book 3 (I’m assuming he’s going to die, or come pretty close to, and Tessa will end up with Will because the bad bois always hail victorious) because I really do like him but he’s presented as more of a background character for most of this book which felt ridiculous because he’s a love interest and also Will’s best friend. #JusticeForJem
- This was kind of predictable. Going through my notes to write this review was a wild ride because I predicted SO MUCH of what happened in this book, and also not that much actually happened in this book??? Not only was it predictable but it was mostly a focus on the characters and primarily the love triangle that’s only kind of a love triangle, between Tessa, Will and Jem.
Overall, I found this book completely unmemorable and it took me absolutely too long to read AND I do not recommend the audiobook.
So, my review is finally over and I don’t want to keep you here any longer. So, I’ll leave you with these two questions that hopefully, someone can answer for me in the comments.
1. Why are all the Silent Bros men???
2. Do all these kids just go around memorising book quotes to randomly spit out in conversation all the time?
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, whipping, murder, torture, injury, near-death experiences, loss of a loved one, fatal illness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Torture
emkplatts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
😭😭😭😭😭
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Drug use, and Violence
cait's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“You and I, Tess, we’re alike. We live and breathe words. It was books that kept me from taking my own life after I thought I could never love anyone, never be loved by anyone again. It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them. Reading your words, what you wrote, how you were lonely sometimes and afraid, but always brave; the way you saw the world, its colors and textures and sounds, I felt – I felt the way you thought, hoped, felt, dreamed. I felt I was dreaming and thinking and feeling with you. I dreamed what you dreamed, wanted what you wanted – and then I realized that truly I just wanted you. The girl behind the scrawled letters. I loved you from the moment I read them. I love you still.”
I. Am. In. Agony.
Love triangles are not supposed to work. There is supposed to be one guy who is obviously right and the other who is obviously wrong and the main protagonist’s inability to decide is supposed to be infuriating since only one of the dudes is worth her time.
But that’s not the case here. I love Tessa and I love Jem and I love Will. No matter who she ends up with, my heart is going to break and I really can’t bear to even think about it.
In the aftermath of Mortmain’s failed attack on the Institute and subsequent escape, Charlotte’s leadership is in question with the Clave and she has only two weeks to track down Mortmain to guarantee that her position is not usurped by Benedict Lightwood. But, with no new leads and an even more preoccupied Will, time is not on their side.
This book was phenomenal. Truly phenomenal. I’m so emotional and all over the place after reading it that I’m not sure how to share how I felt about it. It’s definitely taken position on my list of favorite books and I can’t imagine how Clockwork Princess could possibly top what this novel had to offer.
There was so much development throughout this story as Sophie and Tessa begin combat training with Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood by order of the Clave, Will pursues Magnus Bane’s help in hunting down a demon for a reason he refuses to explain, Tessa and Jem become closer and closer, and Jessamine’s behavior becomes more and more bizarre. Every new revelation was more shocking than the last, every moment was fraught with tension, and every new character aroused in me a deep suspicion and paranoia – Surely this one was the one who would turn on them?
And this book was steamy. That scene. In Jem’s room. When he speaks to her in Chinese. *swoons* How am I supposed to live if this poor, beautiful, kind boy gets his heart broken?
And that scene on the balcony with Will? And then when he finally faces off against the demon who cursed him? How am I supposed to live if this poor, kind, misunderstood boy gets his heart broken?
My heart is the one that’s breaking right now.
Overall, I find myself deeply satisfied with this story and both eagerly anticipating and absolutely dreading the conclusion. Easy 5/5. I’m in love with this world and these characters.
"It's too late," she said.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Addiction, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Grief, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Ableism, Self harm, War, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Medical content
More...