Clockwork Princess
by Cassandra Clare
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
on March 19, 2013
Source: bought

My take: I have enjoyed this trilogy so much. I love the London setting, love the literary references to Dickens and Tennyson and Scott, love all the intrigue and mystery. Most of all, I LOVE these characters. Cassie Clare has a wonderful way of writing characters that practically leap off the page and make you fall in love with them, root for them, worry for them. And Clockwork Princess was no exception. There was a LOT of worry involved.
Many of us had thought so much and worried so much that we'd thought up every possible outcome to the story: Will dies, Jem dies, Will and Jem die, Tessa makes some sacrifice to save Will and Jem. Tessa ends up with Will or Jem. Or neither. To me, it felt like anything might happen.
So I started reading feeling like I was ready for anything. While that was true in a way, I was not ready for the way that reading the ending to this trilogy would actually make me feel.
There are some great moments here. Incredibly poignant moments. Incredibly sad moments. Suspenseful moments. And even funny moments. I think that all my questions were answered: who or what is Tessa, what is Tessa's clockwork necklace, what is Mortmain up to, who is Brother Zachariah, and even, yes… what happens between Tessa, Jem and Will.
Was I happy with the outcome?
The funny thing about love triangles is that the ones that seem believable and realistic are the ones that can't end well. I honestly couldn't think of any outcome to this triangle that I could be 100% happy about. There was one thing that happened that was a huge shock to me, another thing that surprised and charmed me, and a couple of other things that were incredibly moving and bittersweet. Sorry to be so mysterious, but I promised no spoilers!
And … because the winner of my prior giveaway was international, I have an extra copy of Clockwork Princess that I'd love to share it with one of my US readers. This is going to be a fast giveaway -- I'm leaving on a trip and I'm sure you don't want to wait a day longer than necessary to get reading. I'll draw the winner tomorrow morning and mail the book out tomorrow, provided that I get the winner's mailing info before the post office closes.
US only this time, because my other winner was international!
If you are entering, please check the email you use for Rafflecopter tomorrow. If I don't hear from the winner by 3pm EST, the book will be mailed on April 1.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Cassandra Clare
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
on March 19, 2013
Source: bought

Summary (adapted from Goodreads:) A net begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray. Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever. As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?
NONE of those spoilers here.
My take: I have enjoyed this trilogy so much. I love the London setting, love the literary references to Dickens and Tennyson and Scott, love all the intrigue and mystery. Most of all, I LOVE these characters. Cassie Clare has a wonderful way of writing characters that practically leap off the page and make you fall in love with them, root for them, worry for them. And Clockwork Princess was no exception. There was a LOT of worry involved.
Many of us had thought so much and worried so much that we'd thought up every possible outcome to the story: Will dies, Jem dies, Will and Jem die, Tessa makes some sacrifice to save Will and Jem. Tessa ends up with Will or Jem. Or neither. To me, it felt like anything might happen.
So I started reading feeling like I was ready for anything. While that was true in a way, I was not ready for the way that reading the ending to this trilogy would actually make me feel.
There are some great moments here. Incredibly poignant moments. Incredibly sad moments. Suspenseful moments. And even funny moments. I think that all my questions were answered: who or what is Tessa, what is Tessa's clockwork necklace, what is Mortmain up to, who is Brother Zachariah, and even, yes… what happens between Tessa, Jem and Will.
Was I happy with the outcome?
The funny thing about love triangles is that the ones that seem believable and realistic are the ones that can't end well. I honestly couldn't think of any outcome to this triangle that I could be 100% happy about. There was one thing that happened that was a huge shock to me, another thing that surprised and charmed me, and a couple of other things that were incredibly moving and bittersweet. Sorry to be so mysterious, but I promised no spoilers!
And … because the winner of my prior giveaway was international, I have an extra copy of Clockwork Princess that I'd love to share it with one of my US readers. This is going to be a fast giveaway -- I'm leaving on a trip and I'm sure you don't want to wait a day longer than necessary to get reading. I'll draw the winner tomorrow morning and mail the book out tomorrow, provided that I get the winner's mailing info before the post office closes.
US only this time, because my other winner was international!
If you are entering, please check the email you use for Rafflecopter tomorrow. If I don't hear from the winner by 3pm EST, the book will be mailed on April 1.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
We already talked but, just loved this. I tried starting something else last night and my heart wasn't into it and was back with Tess, Jem and Will. <3
ReplyDeleteI am so nervous to read this one. I think I am ready for things, but I don't know!! But I am so ready to be back in their world.
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Great non- spoilery review! Last book in a series reviews are hard to write:) I'm with Brandi, very nervous about how this one will turn out. I'm glad it wrapped up nicely , answered your questions, and didn't leave you hanging!
ReplyDeleteI am dying to read this next one in the series! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteMary
I'm just like Brandi right now-- I'm nervous! I'm re-reading the other two, though. Also, you're totally being mysterious, and it's making me really curious! It sounds like you liked it, though. Awesome review! (:
ReplyDeleteLoves,
Megan@The Book Babe
Wow, this is awesome, thank you for this giveaway! Crossing my fingers, can't wait to read this :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome giveaway! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
Wait, what... a non-spoilery review that is ACTUALLY non-spoilery? Somebody call the press!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series yet so I'm not really sure why I jumped to read your review. Maybe to check the claim you made? Who knows. Either way, I'm more curious to start this series. I did read Clare's City of Bones (but not the rest of that series yet) so I'm interested to see about this other one.
Thanks for an ACTUAL non-spoiler review for those of us who are way behind the times.
Can't wait!!! Totally jealous you already go to read it!!! Have a good trip!
ReplyDeleteTressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings
I'm going on a mini-vacation tomorrow as well! I hope you have a great time on your trip. :)
ReplyDelete~Sabrina@iheart y.a.fiction
Even though your review is spoiler free I still didn't read it. I have been avoiding all CP2 reviews because I want to know nothing. I didn't even read the blurb! I'm listening to the audiobook of it and loving it so far! I have my HC copy where I keep bookmarking certain passages I loved! I will come back and read your review once I am done reading/listening to it!
ReplyDeleteThere was a way it could have ended where I would have been 100% happy. I think I'm like 80% happy but since I thought it would end with me 0% happy I'll take it! LOL I balled my freaking eyes out though. OMG! And Jem is seriously too sweet and kind. He is up there as one of my favorite book boyfriends forever right along with Adrian! I'm going to a Cassandra Clare signing tomorrow so I'm super excited!!!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby bought me this book this week! AHHHH! So freaking excited to see how it all ends!
ReplyDeleteTalk about a huge teaser! Your review is making me so curious now, and I just wish I'll see things the same way and love it. You did a great job with the spoiler free review! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review, Jen! I still can't get this book out of my head, and I think it will be sometime before that happens. I also feel like I can't form my thoughts into anything coherent either, but discussing it definitely helps! Not everything was a complete surprise in this book, but nothing was predictable either. I was so worried that I would be completely disappointed, but ended up being pleased by how moving this story was. I think that overall it honored all characters, and that is rare for a triangle.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler free is great, but I'm dying to talk to someone about how it all wrapped up that's finished it already too! I'll be writing my review of it today, but I won't be publishing it on my blog until May probably due to scheduling! Great spoiler free review!
ReplyDeleteSandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I am so going to finish this series!!!!!! I loved the first one and I don't know why I never got to the second one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series at all but I am kind of curious how the triangle turns out. Without knowing anything about anything, I rooted for Will just because I love YA book boys with that name! It sounds like a satisfying end to the trilogy, which is always great.
ReplyDeleteI would have been 100% happy if not for that epilogue. *sigh* But this is such a great response to the book...you captured everything I was feeling when I finished and then some. Loved that shocker, loved all the little surprises along the way, and love that I wasn't totally caught off guard by that one thing because of you and all your theories. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely, spoiler-free review. I've avoided reviews like the plague until I finished, but I needn't have worried here. Glad you were happy with the ending. I am so in love with this series. I agree, I never could envision a love triangle end here that wouldn't leave someone hurt, but it's because it's so well done. Amazing review!
ReplyDeleteI could definitely read this series again, even though it is rather stressful. Thank goodness Will has some fabulous jokes! Loved it!
ReplyDelete