A review by thebalancedbookshelf
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

I feel conflicted about this book. On one hand I liked the journey this series took us on and the characters we met along the way. On the other I feel like the pacing was very disjointed. As a reader, I like a good mix of plot and character based stories and this series became very character based.

With that being said I think that the depth and connection she was able to bring out of these characters was incredible. Jem and Will’s relationship was by far the best thing about this book. It took family to another level and their bond was so sweet. There were times at the end where I was close to tears the scenes were so well written. 

My biggest complaint about this book is the pacing. The first one mixed the action so well with the character development but these last two books have been strictly focused on the characters and especially the romantic relationships. While I excused it in the second book I really thought we’d get back into a little more of the plot in this one. While Mortmain is always lingering in the background it felt like the conflicts only arose when convenient for the romance or to add drama. I also feel like there were too many character point of views and switches. As much as I love the side characters I didn’t feel like we needed them to this extent.

There was just too many people and things go on in this book that detracted from the main storyline. Including the letters, which I felt were such an odd addition to this. I know it was to show the Consuls alliance but it felt very out of place for the story. I would have rather he just became a villain and side with Mortmain than whatever his motives actually were. Because of that I felt the big fight with Mortmain didn’t feel as climatic as it should have been. It wrapped up so quickly and we didn’t really get any insight to what went on at the council meeting anyways. 

While this book is incredibly well written I feel like at times it was too mature for a YA book. Throughout this series I had to keep reminding myself these characters are only 17. Their big declarations of love sometimes felt over the top for them. I’m also unsure of how I feel about the resolution of the love triangle. 

 

This being my first Shadowhunters book I will say I enjoyed the concept and the world a lot. I would be interested in reading other series and seeing how they all compare. I think the epilogue intentionally ended at 2008 to connect with the other books but I could be wrong. Either way, I did enjoy following Will, Jem and Tessa’s story. I feel like this book missed the action and adventure that the last two books had but I still loved seeing the growth between them all.