True love is shrouded in secrets and lies in the enchanting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when it becomes clear that the mysterious Magister will stop … mysterious Magister will stop at nothing to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, tortured Will and the devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal and fueled by revenge. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move–and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa is drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa answers about who she really is? As their search leads to deadly peril, Tessa learns that secrets and lies can corrupt even the purest heart.
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Benedict Lightwood is a very hard man to like. So is his son, Gabriel. Benedict’s desire to run the Institute borders on obsession and made me suspicious. Gabriel and Will’s feud with each other is kind of fun and Gideon seems to be the only sane Lightwood.
Tessa ends up confronting her brother again and I think it was a good thing. It made her see that he truly will never change. Also, I love how close her and Jem become. It made me worry more about Will though. Both boys have won my approval, but which one is better for Tessa? It’s definitely a hard choice, especially with Will’s attitude change toward the end of the book.
The betrayals in this book are not surprising, but still hurt. There are many happy moments along with suspenseful ones. I am very much enjoying this series and look forward to reading the last installment to see what happens with the Magister.
The infernal devices series is much different than any other series I have read. Mostly because it takes place in Victorian London. But also because Cassandra Clare is just a phenomenal author whose books you can fall into emotionally. At first I was unsure and after the first Book I doubted I would even like the series at all. I feel that Will is becoming a better person than he was before which I was hoping would happen because I’ve been waiting a long time to read about “the famous will herondale”. So if you are a Cassandra Clare fanatic like me you problem will have already picked up the book right now. If you are not (you should become one) then I still recommend reading this series it will just get better and better as the series progresses.
Best love triangle I’ve ever read.
Most times in trilogies I normally do not enjoy the second book. It seems to be the filler where almost all the bad things happen. I cannot say that for this book. I enjoyed it just as much if not more than the first book. We are still trying to learn more about the Magister but Tessa as well. Every time you think you know more you find there are a lot more puzzles pieces to be found. This is what I like about a good mystery. And I believe this is woven into this series. A really good mystery.
The best part is that it does not feel forced. The story is unfolding naturally. Each piece is being found through a natural progression as they search for answers. We also start to learn more about the characters and about their pain.
I was refreshing to read the middle of a trilogy and not dread it but be enthralled and not want to put the book down.
After the betrayal and revelations of the first book, Tessa has found a home with the Shadowhunters in London. But there are those within the Clave that want to steal the London Institute from Charlotte and put Tessa out on the streets. They care little that the Magister is after her, all they see is a downworlder when they look at her. One that shouldn’t be afforded any special privileges. Charlotte must find the Magister to save the Institute and the very world of the Shadowhunters.
I’m having a hard time investing myself in this trilogy. I love the Shadowhunter world and the lore that Cassandra Clare adds to the series with the Infernal Devices, but the love interest is annoying me. I am not one for love triangles. Although, I have a feeling that if I hadn’t read Mortal Instruments, I may have enjoyed this series more. But after seeing Clary and Jace, Tessa’s relationships just pale in comparison.
Despite my hang-ups about the boys and Tessa, I was still drawn into the world of magic and mystery that the Infernal Devices provides. There’s plenty of action and cliffhangers. Especially that ending! Way to just throw that out and make the reader’s scramble for more!
And I know there are a lot of ladies that favor Will over Jem, but let me be honest, I’d prefer having a Jem in my life.
Her best series.
After Clockwork Angel, the second book in The Infernal Devices truly takes the reader on a rollercoaster of some soap-opera-worthy drama, utterly shocking plot twists and deeper character exploration.
We get to see more of the Institute gang’s darker sides, the saving grace of some antagonists, and that hideous demon pox, which makes an epic manifestation later. Charlotte, who is one of my favorite characters, gets more focus as she overcomes yet another string of challenges of being a female leader living in a narrow-minded conservative Victorian London and answering to the even more narrow-minded Clave.
I kept rooting for Jem, who is the perfect tortured hero, and he finally got some happiness, although Clare’s masterful twists always leave me with the premonition that all good things will come to an end. Without spoiling it for readers who haven’t completed the next book, let’s just say all those gut-wrenching, tear-jerking are worth it in the end.
The Clockwork series is by far my favorite from Cassandra Clare. I love the characters and the story line and wish I could see a trilogy of movies from this series to see it come to life even more than on the page. LOVE it! How great would it be to live in the world Cassandra has created?!
I loved the era in which this book was set. Cassandra Claire is an excellent writer. She can draw you in from the first sentence and not let you go until the last. I am amazed by her work.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one. I can’t wait to read what’s in store for Tess, Jem, and Will next.
Have read all of The Mortal Instruments and The Clockwork books….I would recommend to any one who wants to truly get lost inside of a great book!
The Clockwork series by Cassandra Clare was her best writing!!! In my opinion, Cassandra’s storytelling in this series was phenomenal, as with all her books. I especially liked this series; well written and well told!!!
The story begins pretty much from where the last book ended. Reeling from the attack by the Magister on the Institute, the Shadowhunters and Tessa Gray’s focus is on finding him and stopping his mad plan for dominance of Britain using his infernal devices. Tessa is also trying to find out exactly who and what she is, deepening her relationship with Jem, though still intrigued by the enigmatic Will.
A Goodreads friend of mine described this story as more character development than action and I wholeheartedly agree. That worked for me as every major character and relationship was explored with more depth than the first book. That includes the Lightwoods (father Benjamin and sons Gabriel and Gideon), Charlotte & Henry Fairchild, Axel Mortmain and, of course Tessa, Will & Jem. There is a lot of action still but very much secondary to the characterizations. This really worked for me as I now have a better understanding of the motivations of each, which helps in speculating about what may come and ties deeply to the plot and world building.
There’s also a love triangle brewing, something I normally despise in a story. However! This one is so intricately tied to the plot and each character’s own transformation, it took me a bit to remember it was the dreaded trope. I enjoyed this story so much, all 15 hours of listening, and can’t wait for the final showdown. It should be spectacular based on the secrets, lies and betrayals revealed in this one. I’m still pleased with the audio format though I wish they stayed with the previous narrator for Tessa.
This review contains SPOILERS.
OMG, this book! OMG! By the Angel, why did I wait so long to read this series? Then again, on the other hand, perhaps I am glad that I waited until all of the books were out because I do not think that I could have waited to find out what happens from book to book.
First of all, this book gouged out my heart and put it back together over and over again. This book devastated my heart again and again. I’m not okay, all right?
I thought that the characters from The Mortal Instruments series were my babies and that I could never love any Shadowhunters (or Downworlders!) as much as I love them. I was wrong. While The Mortal Instruments characters will always be my babies, this mama has adopted The Infernal Devices characters and brought them into her heart. I have so much love for these characters and this brilliant world that Clare has envisioned. After I finish The Infernal Devices series I will be starting on The Dark Artifices series and I simply can’t wait! This world will suck you in and refuse to let you go but, trust me, you won’t mind a bit.
The world building in this series is fantastic! Truly so, because it has so many elements. It is not only a Shadowhunter book, but one set in 1870’s London. I can’t even imagine all the research that went into perfecting the world held within the pages of this series. I love having a different perspective on the Shadowhunter world. It’s historical and in a different locale than Clare’s other Shadowhunter novels.
I love how Clare’s Shadowhunter books build off of one another. Everything ties together in the end. There are different lines of Shadowhunter families spread across the ages and we get a glimpse of different generations of Shadowhunters. Information and events from The Mortal Instruments series tie in with those of The Infernal Devices series, and it is done so flawlessly. It’s so magical the way these histories flow together.
My favorite part of this book and this series is the characters. They have so much depth and play off of each other so well. I immediately liked the characters from the start of the series, and those feelings only deepen in this book. These characters have become so special to me. Clare has a vivid way of implanting you right into the story so that you live it along with the characters. It’s quite a gift to have, and quite impressive.
The plot gets so much better in the second book. We only scratch the surface of things in Clockwork Angel, but things really start to get interesting in this book. We get to see new characters and how they tie into the London Shadowhunter world. There are lies, deceits, and secrets galore in this! It is truly riveting. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
The romance in this is quite spectacular. So emotional. There is a love triangle that is written so expertly that there are hardly words to describe its splendor. The main character grows close to two different boys, and it is utterly convincing and warranted. Some love triangles are flat and unbelievable, but not this one. This is probably the best one that I’ve ever read. I know that Clare has done a mind-blowing job with the love triangle because I am seriously torn as to who I want Tessa to end up with in the end. I don’t want either boy hurt, nor Tessa. Ugh, if only polyamory were acceptable in 1870s London…
Overall, this book was perfect! If I had to impart one thing to you about this book it would just be GO READ THIS SERIES ALREADY! I am serious, though. You need this series in your life. Once you have finished you will kick yourself for not reading it sooner, such as I did. I will immediately be picking up the last book and then try not to cry because it is the last book of the series. Why couldn’t this series have six books like The Mortal Instruments series, yeah?
I have read and reread this entire series at least 5 times!!! the first 3 were bingeing it over n over.
A great second installment in the Infernal Devices Trilogy. The love triangle really grows here and Clare knows how to create angst like whoa!
I love it soooooooooooooooo much
Another fantastic addition to the Infernal Devices series.
So, so good! I tried to put the book down, but it was difficult! It was full of adventure as well as heartbreaking! The love that is there in this book is just to much for the mundane person such as myself to take, lol. Great book!
i love this whole series of books written in this world. the whole shadow hunter series has been very original and fascinating to read.