Review: Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1ST edition (December 6, 2011)

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.

I wasn't sure that this book could hold up to the first book, but wow it blew it away. There was so much to this story. I loved Will's story line and how it involoved Mangus was great, seeing all that cleared up some of the things said between Camille and Mangus in CoFA. I also loved every second that we spent with Jem!

Tessa is still trying to figure out what she is and I think we found out, and hopefully I'm right and Cassie will explain it in book 3. Now I for one was shocked yet not shocked by the betrayals in this book. And while Charolette's decisions must have been hard I am glad they were what they were. 

Cassie made me swoon, laugh, smile, and angry at Tessa. I am totally team Jem and if Tessa chooses will in the end I will gladly take Jem! I really can't wait for the next book I am so anxious to see how all of this wraps up! Will or Jem, What is Tessa? What happens to the bad guys?!? Ahhhhh....I need to know! I give this one 5 stars! And it might just have been my favorite book of 2011!

Review: City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1st ptg edition (April 5, 2011)

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
But nothing comes without a price.
Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other.
When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.
Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

This another book I put off reading. Although I only put this one off becuase I wanted to read Clockwork Angel first to get the full effect of these books. I am a huge TMI fan the first 3 books were amazing and this was no different. 

I must start by saying I <3 Simon! There is so much sarcasim, and witty banter and most of it involoves Simon. I also kinda feel sorry for Clary and Jace, they never catch a break, it can never just be easy for them. There was so much going on in this book, there was Simon and Izzy drama, Jace and Clary drama, and Alex and Mangus drama. We also got to see Camille again! 

One of the best parts of these books is just when I think I know what is going on everything changes! I liked the alternating prespectives which I also think added some tension towards the end. Speaking of the end! how could you do that to us Cassie!?! That ending was killer and I need more now!! 

I give this one 5 stars and am totally shouting from the rooftops "read these books if you haven't already"

Review: Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Ok, so this book laid around for a long time because I wasn't sure I would like the steampunk aspect of this story. (I'm still exploring steampunk and my feelings on the genre) But after some convincing by some girls on goodreads I gave this book a shot and I have to say that I think I like this series better than TMI. The characters are so full of life and the plot just sucks you in. Tessa was a great main character. She learned some things about herself that scared her but when push came to shove she used her new found power to help the people around her. 

Will you are cute, cocky, and try too hard to be a jerk. will reminds me a lot of Jace (but Jace is winning that swoon race hehe) Jem, you melt my heart, you seem so tough, yet fragile and I could love you forever! Now the part I thought would kill this book for me was actually awesome! The clock work stuff going on was one of the coolest things I've read in a while. 

I give this one 5 stars and do yourself a favor, if you haven't read this already go start it now, you won't regret it!