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4.0 

Clockwork Prince

By Cassandra Clare
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare digital book - Fable

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Publisher Description

True love is shrouded in secrets and lies in the enchanting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when it becomes clear that the mysterious Magister will stop at nothing to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, tortured Will and the devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal and fueled by revenge. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa is drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa answers about who she really is? As their search leads to deadly peril, Tessa learns that secrets and lies can corrupt even the purest heart.

28300 Reviews

4.0
Expressionless Face“I had high hopes going into Clockwork Prince, especially after hearing so much about the Infernal Devices series. However, this book ended up falling short for me in a number of ways. First, while the world-building in the steampunk setting was engaging at times, it often felt over-explained. The intricate details about the technology and the Shadowhunter world felt forced in some parts, and I found myself losing interest during the long explanations. It’s clear Cassandra Clare has created a rich world, but I didn’t always feel immersed in it. The pacing was another big issue. The middle of the book dragged on for what felt like an eternity. There were far too many repetitive moments where characters were either mulling over the same emotional conflicts or getting caught up in a love triangle that felt unnecessarily prolonged. Speaking of the love triangle, it started to feel like a bit of a gimmick. Tessa’s indecisiveness became frustrating, and while I understand it’s part of her character arc, it became exhausting to read about her wavering feelings, especially when I wasn’t convinced that the relationships were developed enough to justify her internal struggle. The character development was another letdown for me. While Will and Jem are intriguing characters, they weren’t enough to carry the entire plot. Will’s aloofness and brooding nature felt repetitive, and though the book delves deeper into his backstory, I didn’t feel a strong emotional connection to him until the very end. Jem was a bit more consistent, but he lacked the depth I was hoping for. As for Tessa, I found her to be a bit of a passive protagonist at times—too often caught in the middle of events rather than driving them. Her character arc had promise, but I wanted her to step up more rather than be constantly torn between the two guys. Lastly, the plot twists, which are often praised in this series, didn’t feel as impactful to me. They were predictable at times, and by the time the big reveals happened, I wasn’t as invested as I’d hoped to be. Ultimately, Clockwork Prince has moments of brilliance—some action-packed scenes, strong character relationships (in certain moments), and the potential for a great series. But the pacing, repetitive emotional arcs, and lack of genuine character growth left me feeling disappointed. I’m still holding out hope that the next book in the series will improve, but for now, this one just didn’t do it for me.”

About Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York TimesUSA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles. She is also the coauthor of the bestselling fantasy series Magisterium with Holly Black. The Shadowhunter Chronicles have been adapted as both a major motion picture and a television series. Her books have more than fifty million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and three fearsome cats. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.

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