Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

4.5 stars!
This was definitely one amazing series. Worth reading for those who liked The Mortal Instruments and even those who didn't because it's set in Victorian London, the love triangle was not your typical kind of love triangle and Magnus Bane was in it! I loved the bond between Will and Jem and the braveness of Tessa. There were also other great and caring characters to add to this series like Charlotte and her husband Henry who are the head of the London Institute and Sophie who works there. A great plot filled with shock, heart break and romance that will take readers on one unforgettable journey.

WOW! I guess Cassandra was saving the best for last. This book definitely took me on an emotional roller coaster. I have had to stop a couple of times while writing this review to compose myself. The ending was bitter sweet for me, but I felt that in the light of things it was for the best. Although I was not as impressed with the last two books, this one sold the series for me. I was swept right into this book from the beginning. It was such an action packed, emotionally gripping, mind blowing ending to this series. I must say I have to hands down agree with what people have been saying about this last book. It was, quite frankly, an amazingly heart wrenching story.

***This review contains spoilers***

I was put off from the beginning by the love triangle going on with Will, Jem, and Tessa. I felt that it so closely resembled the one from TMI. It seemed a bit repetitive. Then I realized what made it so different; Jem and Will were as close as two people could possibly be. They were technically one and the same. Two souls connected to become one. As difficult as it may seem, Tessa loved two completely different people who were entirely the same, but for two completely different reasons. I myself was in favor of her ending up with Will. He is a person I could see myself falling for. I was extremely happy when they ended up together, yet at the same time I was upset that in order for them to be together someone had to end up hurt. Although Jem made his choice, I am sure it was still hard to bear the loss of one’s loved one. I still tear up just thinking of how this series ended!

Throughout this book, I have been a huge fan of Henry. He is just the comical humor this book needed. When I thought he was killed in battle, I had to take a moment to compose myself before I could continue reading. Then to be further upset with the hand that fate dealt him! I was shocked, upset, bewildered, and mortified that Henry was left in such a condescending state. He was a Shadowhunter for goodness sake! Afterwards, I felt relief that he was alive. I am not sure how Charlotte would have carried on if she had lost him just when they had found out each others feelings. Not to mention the fact that she is about to have their baby! Their relationship also added a lot to this series. It was quite refreshing to see two complete opposites fall for one another.

There was a lot of loss and heart ache in this book! I was extremely overcome while reading this final installment. Although Mortmain is considered the “bad guy”, I can sympathize with his anger. I mean imagine someone killing off your family and finding no justice. Then to top it off, this “killer” is parading their remains in a showcased room. Although his anger has escalated beyond that of a sensible person, he sees his motives as a justification for his families deaths. I by no means agree with his execution of his revenge on the Nephilim, but I can understand where his vengefulness sparked from.

I thought the floor was going to open up and swallow me whole when I read the first implication that Jem had died. I was so upset! Although I was not a fan of Tessa and him, I still really enjoyed him as a character. I was astonished when I realized what had really transpired. I could not believe what I was reading! Jem was always so wise and understanding. He was the shoulder you could lean on and the strength you needed in times of need and despair. I never imagined he would choose the path in the end that he did. ***AHHH you will just have to read the story to find out what happens***

With so much going on in the story, I found myself falling more and more in love with Gideon Lightwood. He was such a strong character to me that really stood out. I respected his strong morals and loyalty. I was also quite delighted to find out he was enamored by Sophie. She was also one of my favorite characters. I was anxious to see them both have a happy ending. After having to deal with the loss and betrayal of his father, Gideon really needed the determination and strength Sophie could offer him. I was so relieved when Charlotte propositioned Sophie about becoming a Shadowhunter! I had to put the book down and merrily clap my hands like a giddy child. But theirs was not the only relationship that blossomed in this book! Cecily and Gabriel also found an adorable budding attraction to one another.

The ending of this book was a heart wrenching roller coaster for me. It was so bitter sweet reading about Tessa and Will’s life together, and then how she had to watch him die. I could never imagine living past the lives of the ones I loved over and over. It is stressful just imagining it. I loved how Cassandra incorporated the places they visited and the things they shared with one another during their life together. The final song performed for Will was also what sent me into a bout of tears. I could only imagine what Tessa had to of gone through when she made her final choice to leave. Yet, it was the very end of the book that left me feeling disappointment and relief. Tessa finally gets her second chance at love. It was just so tragically romantic. I am not sure it would have been so devastating wonderful if it had ended any other way.

The beginning was a little slow for me, because honestly it has been so long and only certain details stuck with me. I skimmed some of the book but was totally immersed in others.
I think that once I got into the action and figured out what was going on again, the reason I would be taken out of the story is that it felt choppy to me when it was switching between the characters. They should have been some sort of marker showing when it switched the focus.
The part that kept my attention the most was the Tessa/Jem/Will scenes. There is so much tension and I am smack in the middle of it with my heart. I don't know the right answer, because someone gets hurt, or Jem has to finally die. Which would suck. And may or may not be a part of this story. I don't know because when I wrote this part of the review I was only 200 pages in. Just a hunch of what will happen.
There were so many twists, hot scenes, amazing heart fluttering declarations that I didn't know what to do with myself for the last part though.
I think the ending was as perfect as I could possibly think of or imagine considering and it made me happy with the story.

Bottom Line: Slow in places but amazing ending.

The final installment in the Infernal Devices took me on such an emotional ride that I will not forget. Throughout the novel I laughed, cried, and gasped with surprise. Everything about it was beautiful,
My favorite thing about this book was the characters. All of them grew so much in this book. It was nice to see them grow together and end their story together. It was sad, as all endings are, but it was inevitable. Tessa was my favorite with her finding out more and more about Jem and Will and letting neither of them be unhappy. Then there is Jem. My heart went out to him with every cough that wracked his body. And MY Will... Omg my heart was breaking into pieces throughout the entire story for him. And then when he lost his "central truth," my heart and all those little pieces shattered.
My other favorite part was the emotion. On every page Clare pulled at my heartstrings. On some pages I would laugh, and then a few pages later I would cry. And I remember even reading some pages with eyes like this O.O Especially the Courtyard scene. I was also very glad to have a little more action in this book. I on pins and needles so many times that I found myself having to read it at work on my Nook app because I could not put it down.
Lastly, although I say in other reviews how tired I am of love triangles, this is one that I can actually live with. There was a specific reason she was able to love both of them so strongly and it makes 100% sense. Also, in the end she did indeed choose so it was hardly a triangle anymore.
As for the ending, I was very glad to see everyone's "happy ending." Although the epilogue made me cry buckets with the music scene, I still loved it. It was nice to know how the family carried on. I also liked seeing some of the things that appear in the first two books of the Mortal Instruments series. It was interesting to see how they all came together.
Cassandra Clare really outdid herself with this one. She will make you laugh, cry, and gasp in indignation all in this one novel. She may have told the Shadowhunters goodbye to that era, but they are far from gone. I can't wait to see whatever else they have in store for us.