Series: The Infernal Devices

BOOK REVIEW – Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

August 19, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
by Cassandra Clare
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Honestly? I didn’t know what to think when I started reading this novel. It is based in the 1800s (not AT ALL my comfort zone), and the way they spoke, because of being based so far back, was definitely different from what I am used to reading. It had a dark undertone, really the whole novel was dark, but through the darkness came a sliver of light and I was so very drawn and attracted to it. I can’t explain what it was or why I eventually came to enjoy it, but it did eventually get under my skin, and for that I was very surprised.

The story starts with Tessa traveling to London from New York because her brother sent for her, saying how spectacular London was and that since they were all alone now, they should be together. Enter the Dark sisters, the creepiest characters I have come across in a long time. They teach her to use her “ability” in preparation for the Magister. It can only go downhill from there, and while it isn’t a steady decline, it’s as satisfying as it is tremulous. A weird combination, I know, but I grew to love Will, Tess, and Jem, and even Jess in some areas.

They grow to be close, and it is addicting to the reader. The writing takes a bit to get used to, but overall it isn’t bothersome.

While the beginning was ok, and I say ok because at the time I was staring at the pages in utter horror, confusion, and repulsion, the adventure they start to unravel becomes so addicting I couldn’t put it down. Because I hadn’t grown to adore the main characters yet, I don’t feel I enjoyed the beginning, which is a shame. We have Will-the everpresent, mercurial “badboy” who is unable to love, and we have Jem-the sweet, caring, and thoughtful boy. This was definitely YA and there was an heir of innocence, but it was alluring all the same. That is a hard feat to accomplish, and I felt it was done so wonderfully in my opinion.

My taste continues to amaze me, as I have been broadening my horizons and finding more “oh wow, that was good-I never would have thought so” novels. I have to say that immediately after finishing the first installment, I grabbed the second and dug right in. I am fully engrossed in the story, and I hope that the story stays consistently good, because I find this series to be very pleasing and worthwhile.

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BOOK REVIEW – Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

August 19, 2014 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
by Cassandra Clare
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

An excellent installment to a surprisingly addictive series. I came upon Infernal Devices in a discussion for another book entirely. It too had a love triangle in it, and some of the girls happened to mention TID and it’s apparently happy ever after for all characters involved. Seeing as how I am becoming increasingly aware of how much I love drama, to an extent, in novels, I had to hop on over and see what TID was all about. Upon reading the synopsis and seeing the cover of Clockwork Angel, I realized that I had passed it up months before. Boy do I ever see the error in my ways.

After the last novel, Tessa is now a permanent fixture in the Institute after Charlotte asked her to stay. We get to see how Tessa is affected after Will’s unforgiveable actions and remarks, and how close her and Jem become because of it. With less time being spent daydreaming about Will(hardly), Tessa finds herself spending more and more time with Jem, thus forming a bond between them. I like both guys a lot. Will has hurt Tessa quite a bit, but underneath it all, I love him because he has a sweet side to him that can’t be entirely hidden, and a passion for his work and also for Tessa. Jem is always there for Tessa, and it becomes increasingly clear he has strong feelings for her. Everyone around him (aside from Will) can see his feelings for her as clear as day, for he wears his heart on a sleeve.

I enjoyed every adventure and could hardly put the book down. I always seemed to be on the edge of my seat and reading at the speed of light-and I still wasn’t reading fast enough. I also adore how each character has such raw passion for who they love and what they believe in. It is hard not to be attracted to each guy when they so obviously are attracted to and care for Tessa. Don’t even get me started on Henry and Charlotte; they definitely add some adorable scenes to the story and make you smile when you least expect it.

So all in all, I really don’t have many words. It is just one of those stories where you feel compelled to tell people about it and insist they read it. I found myself goofily smiling at the pages from Will’s snarky remarks and funny scenarios he found himself in. He always seems to have the funniest facial expressions, and with Jem egging him on, it only fuels the fire. Now I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I can’t wait to see how it all ends and ultimately who ends up with whom.

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BOOK REVIEW – Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

August 19, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)
by Cassandra Clare
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Oooh how this book unraveled me. As with all love triangles, I was skeptical as to how it could be accomplished tastefully. Was I completely satisfied with the conclusion of this beautiful trilogy? Yes and no: it depends if I count the epilogue. If I were to count the epilogue as the ending, then no….I really don’t know how I feel, but it’s not 100% satisfied. On the one hand, it was sweet how “the wheel came full turn”. On the other hand, I felt a tad….what’s the word? Unsettled. That’s it-unsettled. Now, without the epilogue, I felt it was tied up nicely and she was with who she should have always been with. I loved both guys, certainly, but one was always the favorite in my heart.

A tearjerker at it’s finest, Clockwork Princess made me bawl like a baby. I loved how both boys were willing to sacrifice everything to help/save/court Tessa. They were both adorable and made me want to jump into this story and solve their little love triangle problem by inserting myself promptly within the pages.

The love and passion that drove Will on his mission to save Tessa was so endearing and I fell more in love with him with each mile he traveled. And Jem, poor Jem. His struggles are so trying and you feel yourself rooting for that impossible cure to be found. His love for Tessa is pure, unrelenting, and undying. His loyalty to Will as his other half is beautiful.

Then there’s the bittersweet, happy ending. As heartbreaking as it is sweet, tears of both happiness and sadness were pouring from my tearducts. I don’t know when I fell so in love with this trilogy, but it knocked me off my feet hard and fast, and I am so sad it’s over. I truly do wish there was another way for the epilogue to have unfolded, because I felt that it took the validity of her love for one particular man and kind of laughed at it’s memory. Not completely..but enough that it left a sour taste in my mouth. You’ll see..it is both beautiful and heartbreaking-all depends on how the reader looks at it. And no-the “memory of his love” is not a spoiler-so many things happen in this book that it couldn’t possibly be explained/ruined by that particular comment. No worries.

Finally, I end this review with a shout out to Cecily. I absolutely adored her character, while at the end of the last book I didn’t want her to necessarily be a part of the story. I LOVE her. I love Gabriel and Gideon and Charlotte and Henry and Magnus-I love them ALL. It is a sad day when I end a series and have to say goodbye to each new character I have fallen in love with, but that time has come, and I am happy to say this is a new favorite series of mine. The journey from book one where Tessa smashed a vase upon Will’s head to the bittersweet epilogue has been a tremulous one, but I couldn’t be happier to have been a part of these amazing stories-I will most definitely re read them one day, hopefully soon, if my poor heart can handle it.

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