Title: Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages:497
Source: Publisher

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Clockwork Prince is fabulous! (But was there any doubt about that?  I mean, it is Cassandra Clare.)  I was blown away by the romance, betrayal, and surprises.  The wait for Clockwork Princess is going to be unbearable!

Things have changed a lot since Clockwork Angel.  The institute is much more somber after the betrayal by Tessa’s brother, Nate.  It seemed like everyone blamed themselves for his betrayal but it was clearly only Nate’s fault.  It was hard seeing them so torn apart.  Tessa was stronger in this book but the betrayal of her brother as well as the things Mortmain told her were hard on her.  She made sure to learn how to defend herself and to rely on herself, not the Shadowhunters.  Will became very likable in this book which has me torn. His cruelty was explained and I actually began to like him.  I still love Jem more but who knows, that could change with the next book.  Speaking of Jem; I love him!  He is so sweet and charming (and there are some steamy scenes between him and Tessa in this book!)  Sophie was another favorite for this book.  She cracked me up with her crazy antics.

The plot was a bit slow in this book which disappointed me.  I am used to action in Cassandra Clare’s book and this one had a lot more build-up than action.  It was definitely not boring but I really would have liked more automatons and killing.  =)

Overall, this review definitely does not do justice to the book so you should just go read it.

First line:  The fog was thick, muffling sound and sight; where it parted, Will Herondale could see the street rising ahead of him, slick and wet and black with rain, and hear the voices of the dead.

Rating:  A++