Clockwork Prince – Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince is the second book in the Infernal Devices trilogy, and the second book in chronological order of the Shadowhunter Series.

It is the sequel to Clockwork Angel, and follows the struggles and lives of the London Trio.

Tessa’s brother and her worst enemy are working together to try and stop all of the Shadowhunter reigns, and Tessa has to work with all of the London Institute’s occupants to figure out how to stop them.

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This time, my favorite characters would be the Lovable London Trio: James (Jem) Carstairs, the tranquil, normally violinist with a soft spot for everyone in his heart, and one of the only people who puts up with Will and his snarkiness. There’s William (Will) Herondale, the sarcastic cinnamon roll who is a very avid reader, and likes only 2 people; Jem and Tessa.

Finally, Theresa (Tessa) Gray is the third of the London Trio: like Will, she loves to read books, and used to do that when she was held captive by the Dark Sisters, Ms. Dark and Ms. Black. And like Jem, she enjoys listening to violin music and met Jem through a violin session late at night.

One of the most plot-twisting parts in the book was when Tessa, Jem, and Will find out how the Magister is fueled to kill all of the Shadowhunters of London. It was because of a revengeful history with his parents, and formulas that would lead to making Clockwork Demons and Weapons that could be used to kill Tessa, Jem, Will, and every Shadowhunter in the London Area.

One very detailed description that I enjoyed picturing in my mind was this one – 

“James Carstairs smiled back at her, elegant in his dark suit, his silver-fair hair whipped by the wind. His other hand rested on a jade-topped cane, and if any of the great crowd of people milling around them thought that it was odd that someone so young should need a walking stick, or found anything unusual about his coloring or the cast of his features, they didn’t pause to stare.”

It really puts Jem’s features into perspective, with the very iconic silvery hair that looked like the metallic wind of winter, with brown and golden eyes like the tree branches bathed in the golden light of autumn.

He also carried the cane because there was a sharp blade embedded onto it. Don’t ask why; you know the answer is the YinFen drug.

There’s something quite interesting about the sudden love triangle that is made during this book, between none other than the London Trio. Jem decided that he fell in love with Tessa as well, and that put him at clashing odds with Will, who was coincidentally also in love with Tessa.

Torn between 2 boys, Tessa tries desperately to hide her feelings, because as the events later showcase, she is actually in love with both boys. What a tough decision to make, especially if you like both for different reasons. 

Cassandra Clare truly did an amazing job with this book, with rich, poetic verses that really enraptured my reading soul, and the very lucid descriptions absolutely made me feel like I was there, experiencing the mellifluous sounds of Jem’s violin, sitting on the bed where Tessa was trying on her beautifully sewn dresses, and there to feel what Will felt when he was on his missions, and though he was failing, I found myself wishing for him to overcome his anguish and find exactly what he was looking for.

If you read the same old classic books that Will and Tessa both read, then you’d find a very similar context as to which Cassandra Clare has written this book and feel a sense of dignity that can only be collected by reading this book, or the old classics.

I would give this book a 10/10 must read, because of the transformation of the characters, from paper and the phrases, to tangible and true people that everyone would definitely want to know.

Filled with action, romance, and betrayal, this book would be absolutely perfect for fans of the General Shadowhunter Series, or the Magisterium Series. Please read this book, or you’ll definitely be missing out on a lot of eye-opening things.