Audiobook Review~ Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess
by Cassandra Clare
Narrated by : Daniel Sharman
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Release date : 2013-03-19
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Historical, Other, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 496
Length: 15hrs. 30 mins
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Purchase at: Amazon (Affiliate Link) • Audible • The Book Depository
Goodreads

A net of shadows 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?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy

I have been debating whether or not I was going to write a full review. After one of the longest audios I have listened to, I really don’t have that much to say about the ending to this series and most of what happened in this installment. Save for the epilogue.

Years ago, when I discovered Cassandra Clare, before the movie, the hype and all the drama that seems to surround her wherever she goes, I was in love with her writing. There weren’t many authors (at the time) with similar prose and I loved how detailed everything was. Sadly, 4 years later, I find it rather old. Sorry folks, there is such a thing as too much detail.

I could be wrong, but I think this is one of the longest ones she has written. Not only that, I felt like there wasn’t a whole lot going on for at least HALF of the book. I know with the ending to a series, there is a lot to be wrapped up, but holy batman. The last “fight scene” was on disc 10. Of 13. That means I had at least 2 hours left before the ending. Adding to the length were the letters and quotes, which I probably wouldn’t have loved them had I READ Clockwork Princess, because Daniel (the narrator) was by far the best narrator that I have had the pleasure to listen to, hands down. But I digress.

After sitting back and really thinking about all the events and characters, the secondary characters made this book for me too. Sophie & Gideon, Cecily & Gabriel, Charlotte, Henry and of course, Magnus. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy Tessa, Jem & Will, but I was tired of them. I was tired of the whining, the “pain” and all that. I was just ready for their drama to wrap up and get on with everything. More on that later.

We finally figure out what Tessa is. Pretty interesting, if I do say so myself. I can’t help but wrack my brain for any other details that might have been mentioned in TMI but I can’t find any. Also, one of my favorite things about this series is that we get to see where everything came from. Like the necklace, Church, Jace’s star and Magnus initial draw to Alec… etc. But I can’t help but see so many similarities between all the charters to those in TMI. Really, if feels like she just took their bios and changed their names.

Now, for that epilogue. The main reason I loved it? Because I loved the summary of everything that happened. As most of you know, it took place in 2008– and “seeing” everyone’s life wrapped up over that period of time was awesome. I admit, it was long as hell, but this one was of those times I appreciate all her details and such. There are a few things I really upset me about the ending though. Honestly, could she have figured out a more “perfect” way to end it!? Well freakin played, Clare, well-played. Another thing– and I may be looking too much into it– View Spoiler » freaking JEM y’all. I called that, BTW just ask Dani « Hide Spoiler tells me in so many words at how the ending of TMI might play out. View Spoiler » because it was obvious the epilogue as after the events of TMI. It has to be. « Hide Spoiler So, that was a little frustrating.

My Peeve- Words. There were too many words and nothing going on. At least, that’s how I felt. Of course, the ending too, because I felt that was too perfect, (if you know what I mean…..)

Overall- In a nutshell, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the all the sub-plots and secondary characters more than the main, though. I’m glad to see this chapter of the Shadow Hunters come to a close. I didn’t love this series as a whole as much as TMI, but it was good overall. Do I recommend it? Doesn’t matter because those that love ID and/or TMI will read it anyway. 😉