vishulala's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
theatomicpirategirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Ms. Clare…a sequel to your YA Victorian Steampunk Shawdowhunter series, known as The Infernal Devices?! My oh my! I think I have a case of the vapers!
I cannot tell you how awesome it was to get this book from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I actually stopped reading a book to read this one. And I am so glad I did. This is such an amazing book. Better than the first. We delve deeper into the mystery of who is Tessa Grey and there is also some baw-chicka-wah-wah action in this book that had me blushing. Cheeky Ms. Clare!
I have found in the YA supernatural/paranormal genre, there always seems to be some kind of love triangle. This annoys me most of the time. But Cassandra Clare is so good, that I totally forget about the love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will. We see Tessa’s heart being pulled in both directions, but she’s a smart enough girl that she has bigger problems. I find all of Clare’s female characters are a good combination of tough and vulnerable, and none of those characters are the same. I enjoy the Infernal Devices series a little bit more I think because I fell that Tessa is strong and determined, while Clary from Mortal Instruments is moody teenage girl. Both characters are strong, but I feel Tessa is a better rounded and written character in that there is a mystery around who she is, something that even she doesn’t know.
In this book, there is more action and intrigue in the hunt for the elusive Axel Mortmain, the Magister. We still don’t know what he wants with Tessa (which is honestly driving me crazy try to figure out!) but the hunt for him is urgent in that the Institute is what’s at stake. The little surprises that are revealed throughout the book only lead to more mysteries and enigmas that can only be unlocked in the next book, Clockwork Princess. This book read more like a detective story than a YA supernatural/paranormal one. Which, is exciting because I hate when I get all moody like a teenager, being that I am almost thirty years old.
Thank you Cassandra Clare for making me want more and totally having a love/hate relationship with the waiting for Clockwork Princess to be written and put in my greedy little hands. Because I need to know what happens!!
I cannot tell you how awesome it was to get this book from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I actually stopped reading a book to read this one. And I am so glad I did. This is such an amazing book. Better than the first. We delve deeper into the mystery of who is Tessa Grey and there is also some baw-chicka-wah-wah action in this book that had me blushing. Cheeky Ms. Clare!
I have found in the YA supernatural/paranormal genre, there always seems to be some kind of love triangle. This annoys me most of the time. But Cassandra Clare is so good, that I totally forget about the love triangle between Tessa, Jem and Will. We see Tessa’s heart being pulled in both directions, but she’s a smart enough girl that she has bigger problems. I find all of Clare’s female characters are a good combination of tough and vulnerable, and none of those characters are the same. I enjoy the Infernal Devices series a little bit more I think because I fell that Tessa is strong and determined, while Clary from Mortal Instruments is moody teenage girl. Both characters are strong, but I feel Tessa is a better rounded and written character in that there is a mystery around who she is, something that even she doesn’t know.
In this book, there is more action and intrigue in the hunt for the elusive Axel Mortmain, the Magister. We still don’t know what he wants with Tessa (which is honestly driving me crazy try to figure out!) but the hunt for him is urgent in that the Institute is what’s at stake. The little surprises that are revealed throughout the book only lead to more mysteries and enigmas that can only be unlocked in the next book, Clockwork Princess. This book read more like a detective story than a YA supernatural/paranormal one. Which, is exciting because I hate when I get all moody like a teenager, being that I am almost thirty years old.
Thank you Cassandra Clare for making me want more and totally having a love/hate relationship with the waiting for Clockwork Princess to be written and put in my greedy little hands. Because I need to know what happens!!
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
OMG, this was even better than the first book! Poor tortured Will, poor confused Tessa, and poor, sick Jem!!
There were quite a few curveballs that were thrown here, some things really surprised me. I will try my best to not spoil anything here, though.
I loved seeing more of the history between Magnus and the Shadowhunters, and it is easier to understand how he could become attached to the present-day Shadowhunters because of this.
Tessa will hopefully be able to figure out what she is, I have a little theory about this...
Will Jem survive his illness? It would seem really cruel if he doesn't, but at the same time, it would be kind of strange if he does. It's a Catch22 if I ever saw one!
Charlotte and Henry finally got the chance to talk, and to understand each other better - it's amazing they knew so little of each other having been married for a while already!
Will got to show a completely different side of himself - he has been fighting his demons for so long, he had no idea how to act once he could let his guard down a little.
There were quite a few curveballs that were thrown here, some things really surprised me. I will try my best to not spoil anything here, though.
I loved seeing more of the history between Magnus and the Shadowhunters, and it is easier to understand how he could become attached to the present-day Shadowhunters because of this.
Tessa will hopefully be able to figure out what she is, I have a little theory about this...
Spoiler
I think she is actually part fairy and part ShadowhunterWill Jem survive his illness? It would seem really cruel if he doesn't, but at the same time, it would be kind of strange if he does. It's a Catch22 if I ever saw one!
Charlotte and Henry finally got the chance to talk, and to understand each other better - it's amazing they knew so little of each other having been married for a while already!
Will got to show a completely different side of himself - he has been fighting his demons for so long, he had no idea how to act once he could let his guard down a little.
Spoiler
and it was completely heart-breaking the way he finally got his courage to tell Tessa he's in love with her, only to be told it's too late because Jem had already proposed to her *sigh*mrunicornman's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
theenderrose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookobsessed_emily's review against another edition
2.0
More of a preference rating because I literally could’ve done without 90% of the drama in this book.
tysrem's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
augustreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cal_lie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0