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    Clockwork Princess
    Clockwork Princess
    Clockwork Princess
    Ebook668 pages10 hours

    Clockwork Princess

    By Cassandra Clare

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Danger and betrayal, love and loss, secrets and enchantment are woven together in the breathtaking finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

    Danger intensifies for the Shadowhunters as the New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy comes to a close.

    If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

    The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

    Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

    Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMargaret K. McElderry Books
    Release dateMar 19, 2013
    ISBN9781442431355
    Author

    Cassandra Clare

    Cassandra Clare wrote the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling novel Sword Catcher, the first book in The Chronicles of Castellane. She’s also author of the No. 1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles. Clare also co-authored the bestselling fantasy series Magisterium with Holly Black. The Shadowhunter Chronicles have been adapted as both a major motion picture and a television series. Cassandra Clare’s books have more than fifty million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. She lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and three fearsome cats.

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    Reviews for Clockwork Princess

    4.5/5

    435 ratings117 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a wonderful and gripping tale of love, betrayal, and fantasy. The characters are well-developed and the world-building is immersive. The book is heart-capturing and heart-wrenching, leaving a lasting impact on readers. The suspense and secrets keep readers engaged, and the conclusion is beautifully done. Although some readers may not enjoy love triangles, the author effectively portrays the protagonist's feelings. Overall, this series is highly recommended for fans of mystery and romance.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Just as always, amazing imagery. Even a refreshing take on how the love triangle ends. I was hooked from the start. I couldn't put it down if i tried (I didn't).

      Tessa is one fierce woman, I want to be her when I grow up. She is one of the most bad-ass women I have seen written in a long time. I adore Jem, but Will is definitely more my speed. I love that Tessa was able to have children, it would have been such a shame otherwise.

      I give this book 9 adamant citadels out of ten.
    • 4/5
      This was a very good finish to the trilogy. It all comes to a head with Mortmain and the autamotans. I kind of wish I had read this before I had read Mortal Instruments. There are a few things revealed in this trilogy that we common in MI and I kept having ah-ha moments. I really enjoyed this series. The characters were strong and well developed, the relations ships were thoroughly explored and some of the characters were also in MI. It was nice to see how portals came about and who Brother Zachariah really was. I will miss being in this world of shadowhunters.
    • 5/5
      Finally finished this trilogy. It's great stuff. That said, I think I might've outgrown this particular genre, because it took me much longer to finish than it would've five years ago. Still, definitely give The Infernal Devices a shot if you're in the mood for YA fantasy.
    • 3/5
      3.5 stars

      I actually quite enjoyed the latter half of this book, and Cassandra Clare managed to surprise me yet again, so that's very good. I'm a bit sad about not having enjoyed this trilogy as much as everyone else did, but at least I have finally read it.
    • 4/5
      Possible Spoilers Below:

      What to say about this one? Considering the current legal trouble these works are currently a part of, it was tough for me to read this, but at the same time, I HAD to finish this series. I liked Infernal Devices so much more that The Mortal Instruments. Though they were so very similar, these were better written and I don't know if it is because the author learned from the mistakes she made in the first series, or because she maybe had some help with this series.

      There was a love triangle, but it was better written than the other. Though Will and Jace are almost exact replicas of one another, Will is a bit more likeable...maybe. I don't know. I only know that in both series the heroine didn't end up with the one I wanted her with. However, in this series, she at least tried and almost succeeded in being with my choice, and well, in the end, she did get to be with Jem, so there's that.

      Okay, but first the resolution of the plot. I swore that Consul Wayland was in league with the Magister. Boy do I feel dumb for calling that all wrong. He was just a good old fashioned bag of dicks! I love that the women got to be the heroes of the story, that Tessa essential rescued herself and her loved ones. Bridget kicked so much ass it's a shame they never decided to ask/allow her to ascend. Could you imagine what kind of shadowhunter she would have made?! And Charlotte, Sophie and Cecily were so, so brave, it was awesome to see strong female representation especially in that time period. Charlotte got to become the first female to run an Institute and the first female Consul. Very awesome.

      With that being said, I died with Jem. I felt my heart break for Will when the parabati bond was severed. I was so upset that Tessa and Jem didn't get to marry. But at the same time, Jem got to live and Will and Tessa, though devastated over 'losing' Jem, got to be happy together. And in the end, Tessa got to explore both of her great loves. That made me smile.

      I don't know what else to say about this one. I was so shocked when I thought Henry had died, and I am so glad that the author didn't kill him off. I really enjoyed the character growth of not only Will, but of Gabriel Lightwood as well. I adored that Sophie got to be so strong and confident and moved past her insecurities regarding her scar and her station. I'm glad that Gideon Lightwood loved her truly and genuinely.

      All-in-all this was pretty good. I'm glad this was the last in this series because I think I've had enough of shadowhunters. Nine books was more than enough for me and at least The Bane Chronicles didn't feature too heavily with the shadowhunters and focused more on Magnus and his antics. I think if anything I wouldn't mind reading about Tessa and Jem exploring the world together.
    • 5/5
      I just finished reading this book and I am crying... The last chapter was sad and beautiful at the same time and I loved it. A great way to end this amazing (I can't think of any other words) trilogy. I wonder if Alec's blue eyes come from Cecily... I can't wait for The Last Hours trilogy to be released!
    • 4/5
      Loved this book! You learn so much about more about the characters than you do in the other books. Not sure how I feel about the epilogue, but it ties up all the loose ends. Now I have to patiently wait for the next book in the mortal instruments.
    • 5/5
      I loved it! It was awesome to finally find out the truth about Tessa, and all of the mysteries surrounding Mortmain. Although now I'm dying to see what's going on in the present day world with the characters.. Are they meeting the ones from the Mortal Instruments? (besides obvious Magnus, etc)
    • 5/5
      It's a miracle.

      I finally found a series that ended beautifully.

      Gosh, I Love Cassandra Clare. I might actually try reading City of Bones again, possibly.

      WHAT AN AMAZING SERIES AND WHAT BEAUTIIFUL WRITING!!!!!!

      Cassandra Clare is a Genius, and I love the family tree that's attached to the book.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this series. I read the modern-day series as well (City of Bones), but far preferred these three. Good until the end.
    • 3/5
      Probably more like a 3.5. I enjoyed it, but because it's been so long since I've read previous entries in this series, there were things that went over my head, because they were references to events I couldn't remember...
    • 3/5
      Pros:
      * I finished this one
      * I now know how it ends
      * Steampunk elements

      Cons:
      * Magically-solved love triangle
      * lots of skimming, book could be tightened

      I began the Mortal Instruments long before I learned about the author's controversy. So I have also been torn between my need to finish a series and the question of am I supporting bad things when reading and reviewing later books

      I like the Steampunk elements of this series and I was excited to learn what the clockwork angel was. But I found this plagued by the same poor writing that lead me to DNF the last Mortal Instruments novel.
    • 4/5
      Not going to go into lengths with this review for several reasons, one of which is that too much stuff is happening in it.
      I think overall it was a good and fitting ending to this trilogy. It was full of action, plotting, evil and good, love and sadness and a truly imaginative story. I enjoyed the connection to The Mortal Instruments series and the whole world Cassandra Clare created is rather beautiful.
      In this trilogy, we have a pretty fascinating romantic triangle and a tragic one at that. I thought the resolution for the situation was very fitting and though sad and somewhat heartbreaking, it made sense to me.
      What happened in the epilogue, though, felt to me like a cop out. I realize this may come as a spoiler to you, so don't read further: The Silent Brothers "condition" is for life. That's what a Shadowhunter takes upon himself when he signs up. To reverse that, when it hasn't been mentioned before as a possibility (not in TMI or ID as far as I can recall!!!) is almost simply cheating. I would have preferred that Clare stuck to her decision. But I guess we can't win it all.
      This is the reason I gave this book 4 stars. Up to the epilogue it really deserved 5 stars.
    • 1/5
      Clockwork Princess is what happens when an author believes her own hype and decides she can do whatever and people will revert to the Emperor's New Clothes thinking of 'its wonderful, best.book.ever!!!!!' Sadly, seeing Cassie's reaction to people who didn't buy into that thinking regarding this book has pretty much ended any chance of me reading her future series which won't be a loss to her, but will at least save my own sanity.


      I'm just disappointed - I truly loved this series, but I suppose when you have to churn out so much in such a short space of time and take a passive aggressive 'il'l show them' attitude regarding valid criticism from earlier books, that something does eventually give and with that, it was this book in general and the epilogue in particular. Shame but it is what it is.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant. Such inspired writing. I laughed and cried and lived along with each character.
    • 5/5
      It took multiple attempts to get to the point of writing an actual, spoiler-free (as much as possible), review that looks at more than just the emotional impact of the book that receives my first 5-star review of 2013. All I could seem to focus on the first time I sat down to write this up WAS the emotion; there was no room for anything else. But now that emotion is purged (mostly) and it’s time for a Clockwork Princess review!If you haven’t had an opportunity to meet the Victorian era steampunk Shadowhunters of Cassandra Clare’s The Infernal Devices trilogy, you are missing out on an imaginative, dark and dangerous, action-packed series that features the most balanced love triangle of any young adult fantasy series published today. Am I gushing? Probably, but only out of love for a series that has captured my emotions and wrung them out to dry. In Clockwork Princess, Clare brings the trilogy to an epic conclusion that had me in tears – and loving every moment of it.All the trademarks of Cassandra Clare’s storytelling are here – a strong heroine with brains who is just as protective of the ones she loves as they are protective of her (Tessa), a sensitive musician with a spot of demon in him and an addiction to blood (Jem), a snarky and fiercely loyal fighter with a tortured soul (Will), witty one-liners, plenty of action, a villain with a devastating plan to rid the world of Shadowhunters, and a very familiar angel. We even have Magnus Bane and Church the cat making a couple of appearances! Tying everything together is a completely engaging narrative style and an enormous amount of story to tell that makes Clockwork Princess fly, even at 568 pages. There are twists and turns, kidnappings, demon worms (which really starts things off with a bang!), automatons who are about to become everyone’s worst nightmare, devastating massacres, betrayals, multiple romances (all of which I LOVED!!!), life-altering choices, secrets, revelations and a tone that gradually darkens as Mortmain’s plans come to fruition – and Jem’s strength wanes.The romantic triangle of Jem, Will and Tessa is the heart of this trilogy. The biggest question I had as I began to read Clockwork Princess was “who will Tessa choose?” (Don’t worry – I won’t spoil it.) I have never read a series before where I wanted the girl to get BOTH guys because, just like Tessa, my heart is equally torn between them – gentle musician Jem with his will of iron, and brash but emotionally damaged fighter Will. Clare has written one of the most incredible love triangles I have ever come across in any series, and brings it to a stunning finish here. Clare has come up with a solution that fits the Shadowhunter world she has created and treats Jem, Will and Tessa with respect; there are no last-minute betrayals or anyone acting out of character. It managed to catch me completely off-guard, but left me emotionally satisfied and elated – crying uncontrollably, but elated.Romance isn’t just tied to the leads, though; it is scattered throughout the story as the Lightwood brothers – Gideon and Gabriel – find themselves falling for two very different young women. Gideon’s attraction to Institute maid Sophie was noticeable in book two, Clockwork Prince, and to see him struggle to win her heart in Clockwork Princess just made my heart skip a beat. Gideon is not the smoothest player when it comes to love, but he is certainly the most earnest (the scone scene is wonderful). Meanwhile, Gabriel makes Will’s little sister Cecily sit up and take notice; I loved the way Clare built their relationship from more than instant attraction – there are family concerns that get in the way, and Gabriel is struggling with bigger questions of honor, loyalty, right vs. wrong, and other moral/ethical issues along with his feelings for the sister of his nemesis. Both relationships add warmth to the narrative and really help round out the characters of the brothers.Darkness and danger ignite the story even further as Mortmain’s ultimate goal – and Tessa’s role in his scheme – are finally revealed. I was shocked by Mortmain’s use of his automaton army and it doesn’t take much to see the devastation that would ensue if Charlotte, Henry and their Institute crew can’t stop him. Overcoming Mortmain takes more than strength of arms, however; it requires Tessa to dig deeper into her gift than ever before in an explosive confrontation between good and evil that is not without cost.Before getting into the (minor) negatives, I do want to give a shout-out to how well Cassandra Clare has integrated the steampunk Infernal Devices trilogy with her present-day Mortal Instruments series. In Clockwork Princess, I finally discovered the truth behind the legend of the birthmark that brands Jace as a Herondale in City of Ashes. I also learned why Magnus Bane is the only one who can create portals and how they were invented (hint: a certain Shadowhunter inventor may be involved). And I finally noticed that a certain cat has lived a longer life than the nine he was originally blessed with; immortality isn’t just for Downworlders apparently.Because I’m trying to make this review as balanced as possible, I need to point out a couple of issues I had with Clockwork Princess. A minor irritant was some repetition involving Cecily; the way she stated – at least three times! – her plans for bringing big brother Will back together with his family. I’m sorry, but anything more than twice is too much. I also don’t feel a subplot involving new character Counsel Wayland was particularly necessary; while it helped clarify some loyalties among the residents of the London Institute, I don’t think it served a major narrative purpose. With the story exceeding 550 pages, was it really necessary to keep that plot point? I just don’t know.I’m willing to forgive these little flaws, however, because the epilogue overpowered me with the emotion it evoked. If you check out some of the reviews and comments across the web, you will see a LOT of tissue was used while reading Clockwork Princess (I’m guessing tissue sales have skyrocketed over the past month), with most of it as a direct result of the epilogue. Not surprising because Cassandra Clare completely nails the ending of this trilogy…NAILS IT! She ties up every character’s story line, shows who ended up with who, how their lives played out, and ends with a new beginning. It is an amazing achievement, and leaves me wondering what’s in store for the final installment of The Mortal Instruments next year.The story that began with Clockwork Angel comes full circle in Clockwork Princess and left me an emotional wreck – but in a good way. Before I knew it, Tessa had fully immersed herself in her powers, all of my questions were answered, choices were made, the story was over, and I was drained. It just doesn’t get any better than this. Clockwork Princess is my first 5-star review of 2013 – and for paranormal fans everywhere, it is the first must-read of the year.
    • 5/5
      A worthy conclusion to a beautifully written, original and interesting trilogy. Whilst the "love triangle" is a little bit tired and tedious, the relationship between Will and Jem was a thing of beauty and the ending deeply moved me, for all that it seemed somewhat contrived. The background characters prove the real delight for this series - Magnus in particular is my favourite. I hope we see more of him (and maybe Tessa too) in Clare's futher offerings.
    • 5/5
      I love how it ends! That really is a perfect ending. This is the only love triangle that I could tolerate. I even love them. I mean, how could you hate Jem Carstairs when he's like that?! This series is way better than TMI, but of course I totally support TMI too. :P

      This book/trilogy... is so good that I do not have the right words for it. Look at my friends' reviews. Look at Mitch's. LOL. Just saying that he rarely gives out a 5 star rating in a book unless it's really good or it get to him. That is HOW MUCH we like or how good the trilogy was.

      I do got some confusing question though. Now that we finished this trilogy, we already knew what happened with all of them. So in the Epilogue, it was set 2008... And yeah... So the question is, Bro Z appeared in TMI, am I correct? I think it was on the 4th or 5th that he started spewing cryptic shit about life and love and whatnot to someone there... and then all the readers speculate WHO THE HELL IS BROTHER ZACHARIAH and is he from this Trilogy's time?! Sooooo... knowing what you know from TMI and after reading this Clockwork Princess... Explain it to me. LOL. Is it a different person who just got the same name as Bro Z? I hope you all are getting my thoughts clearly. >.<

      Other than that I love love love the book. Well, except for that fade out scene... remind me again why there's a fade out scene?! LMAO. It should be NA!!! NA!!! Not YA! LOL. :D
    • 5/5
      We can all agree that there are a few things that are guaranteed to come with a Cassandra Clare novel: Sarcasm. Wit. Shade (Magnus, haha). And pain. Heartwrenching, torturous, never ending PAIN.

      And Cassie most definitely does not let us down in that aspect of the final novel of her Infernal Devices series, which is Clockwork Princess. Clockwork Princess begins a few months following the events of Clockwork Prince.

      I felt that I was going through a whole journey with all of the characters throughout the book. I felt what they felt - the desperation, the anxiety, the sadness. But I also felt hope. I felt joy and happiness and pride in the development of each character, from the Lightwood boys to the definition of Parabatai in Will and Jem. Cassie has done great in this way, that she is able to provide such realistic characters that still have their own individual charm.

      Tessa becomes a very powerful protagonist in her own right, despite her not being a Shadowhunter or trained to fight. She does what she believes is required to save the ones that she loves, and that is what makes the difference.

      The love triangle is one that I have never been able to choose between, and even to the final pages of the epilogue and the events that occur within it, I cannot help but feel a bittersweet happiness. Will-Tessa-Jem has always been different because the boys love each other just as much, if not more, than their love for Tessa. And that is something that she knows and acknowledges prior to the beginning of it all. Tessa's love will last for eternity, just as her life. And I'm quite content with how Cassie chose to play these things out. I could not think that any character could be unhappy with how it ends.

      The relationship between Will and Jem tugged at my heart, and I don't ever remember crying this much over two boys. I love both boys so much and their growth as characters throughout the three books makes me happier than anything.

      Clockwork Princess is not only a story of automatons and Shadowhunters, it is a story of a girl who is desperate to find out her own history as to why she is what she is. It is the story of a dying boy who wants nothing more than to have more time, the one thing that he cannot have. It is the story of his Parabatai, willing to do anything and everything for a girl who is his brother's. It is the story of Charlotte and Henry and Magnus, who have somehow made me love them more than I had in the past books. It is the story of Gideon and Gabriel and Cecily, who's own worlds were so different to that of their lives in the London Institute.

      It took me so long to get through the last few chapters and the epilogue, I kept crying and I got completely surprised with the ending. But it is not something to complain about, in my opinion. The love between the main characters had pointed in this direction after all.

      And although like all books, Clockwork Princess has it's faults, it has been a wonderful conclusion to the TID series and it's message will stay with me forever.

      Thank you, Cassie. It literally been a roller coaster ride.
    • 5/5
      WOW! Clockwork Princess was incredible. This book shows Cassandra Clare's considerable growth as a writer since the first book in the series. Each book in the series has gotten better and this one was absolute favorite of the trilogy. Clockwork Princess was the darkest of the three books but it also had many beautiful and heartwarming moments as well. I loved the growth of all the characters particularly Will, Jem and Tessa. I have always loved these characters, especially Will, and this book just soldified those sentiments. In Clockwork Princess there are many tough decisions that need to be made and there is much grief and loss but I was happy with the way things turned out for all of the characters. I do wish there would have been more details about the Shadowhunters personal lives as they grew older but that is my only complaint. Great book! A well deserved 4.5 stars.
    • 5/5
      A fitting end to the trilogy. A must read for fans of either the Mortal Instruments or the Infernal Devices series.
    • 5/5
      This book was a fitting end to the Infernal Devices trilogy. The story of the Shadowhunters' fight against the evil Mortmain and his army of automatons comes to a head. Mortmain needs the heroine, Tessa, to bring the final piece of the puzzle to allow his army to destroy the Shadowhunters. To force her compliance he buys up all of the available supply of the drugs needed to keep her fiance, Jem, alive. Will, the other man she loves and who loves her and Jem enough to stand aside for their happiness, vows to do what is necessary to save both Jem and Tessa. The battle is difficult, many are pushed to the limites of their skills and powers, and there are casualities along the way. Some make ultimate sacrifices for the good of their Shadowhunter family. The book was filled with emotion, and the writing beautifully depicted the feelings of the characters as they faced each challenge (both physical and emotional) put in their paths. The Epiloge is especially amazing. I hate to see a good series end, but at least we have one more Mortal Instruments book to look forward to next year.
    • 5/5
      Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Amazing. CLOCKWORK PRINCESS did not break my heart. It shattered it into a million bleeding pieces. This is probably the most fucked-up review – if you could even call this a review – that I’ve written so far because I just can’t write a proper one for this book. I don’t think my words will ever be enough to express how much I love CLOCKWORK PRINCESS and how it moved me. I don’t think words can give justice to this book. Everything’s perfect. And the feels! Ohmygods I’m going to stop now before I drown in my own tears.

      Favorite lines:

      “Sometimes one must choose whether to be kind or honorable. Sometimes one cannot be both.” – Will

      “You know that feeling when you are reading a book, and you know that it is going to be a tragedy; you can feel the cold and darkness coming, see the net drawing close around the characters who live and breathe on the pages. But you are tied to the story as if being dragged behind a carriage, and you cannot let go or turn the course aside.” – Tessa

      “Our hearts, they need a mirror, Tessa. We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us. And there is a beauty that brevity alone provides.” – Jem

      “I think that any good impulse can be twisted into something evil. . . I think when we make choices—for each choice is individual of the choices we have made before—we must examine not only our reasons for making them but what result they will have, and whether good people will be hurt by our decisions.” – Cecily

      “I told you before, Jem, that you would not leave me. And you are still with me. When I breathe, I will think of you, for without you I would have been dead years ago. When I wake up and when I sleep, when I lift up my hands to defend myself or when I lie down to die, you will be with me. You say we are born and born again. I say there is a river that divides the dead and the living. What I do know is that if we are born again, I will meet you in another life, and if there is a river, you will wait on the shores for me to come to you, so that we can cross together. You hear that, James Carstairs? We are bound, you and I, over the divide of death, down through whatever generations may come. Forever.” – Will

      “Life was an uncertain thing, and there were some moments one wished to remember, to imprint upon one’s mind that the memory might be taken out later, like a flower pressed between the pages of a book, and admired and recollected anew.”

      “Some secrets were better told; some were better left the burden of the carrier, that they might not cause pain to others.” – Tessa

      “Change is not loss, Will. Not always.” – Jem

      “Listen to me. I am leaving, but I am living. I will not be gone from you entirely, Will. When you fight now, I will be still by you. When you walk in the world, I will be the light at your side, the ground steady under your feet, the force that drives the sword in your hand. We are bound, beyond the oath. The Marks did not change that. The oath did not change that. It merely gave words to something that existed already.” – Jem

      “Every meeting led to a parting, and so it would, as long as life was mortal. In every meeting there was some of the sorrow of parting, but in every parting there was some of the joy of meeting as well.”

      “There are things no magic can destroy, for they are magic in themselves.” – Tessa

      “When two people are at one in their inmost hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or bronze.”
    • 3/5
      I am going to stray from the norm here. I did not like the way the love triangle was handled. Because I felt it was not fair to any of the three of them for things to be that way.

      Clockwork Princess is a beautiful end to one of my most favorite series ever. To think there shall be no more fights over William Herondale and wondering of who will Tessa turn up with. Cassandra Clare engrosses you in this final installment and makes your heart break over and over and yet you enjoy going through it.

      But the best part of the book was rooting for the not-main couples - Gideon & Sophie and Gabriel & Cecily. While Will, Jem and Tessa are intent on breaking our heart they will always bring a smile to our faces.

      And Magnus Bane - of course! He is the most Magnificent character ever written and to see him here and compare him to the Magnus Bane we have in The Mortal Instruments - precious. He is a close second to my Will as a favorite character.

      If only I could change the ending. Its not bad at all - and I know why many people would love it. But I sadly was not one of them.

      Another relief is that there shall be no more extra additions here like TMI - thank god!

      3 Stars.
    • 5/5
      Tessa is engaged to Jem, who she loves. Charlotte(head of institute) calls everyone to the library. What she shows them is a letter with directions to send Tessa to Mortmain. Jem ends up destroying it. What awaits Jem and Will is even more depressing. After the fight with the clockwork creatures, Tessa gets kidnapped. Jem is badly injured and Will is afraid now. Will talks with Magnus in Jem's room about the cure and they also mention that Will loves Tessa. Jem, confused, talks to Will and he feels bad for himself, with the engagement. Jem sends off Will to find Tessa and bring her back.
    • 3/5
      This book might have earned a full five stars were it not for the blemishes that marred it. First off, while Cassandra Clare has heartily thanked her editor for catching anachronisms, one thinks she might have caught a few grammatical and word error choices as well. I hate getting involved in a book only to be jerked out again when the word 'grudge' appears instead of "begrudged". I can understand if the book was being rushed off to print, as was the case with a C.J. Cherryh book, but there appeared no indication of that here.

      I read in a review for another of Cassandra Clare's books that she seems to have difficulty with death and that she maintained this isn't the case. No, Clare can kill off characters--but not main characters. This frustrated me. I feel as though, as a reader, having a character survive an encounter that should have killed him or her leaves things unrealistic. Characters die. We can handle it. When the author pulls back and saves the character at the last minute...that's when things seem a little heavy handed.

      Jem turning into Brother Zachariah likewise felt heavy handed. We've spent most of the trilogy knowing that one of the main characters is dying. To have him revived, in the nick of time, into a Silent Brother, feels like a betrayal. He's dead, but he's not really dead. It's nice that he lived, and all, but c'mon. And then to have him return to Tessa at the end without the marks, cured of his addiction and fully healthy...that was a bit much.

      There were moments in here that genuinely tugged at my heartstrings and the beginning of the book was painful to get through because I felt so bad for the characters. I confess that I cried when Jem became Brother Zachariah and mourned for the relationship that he had with Will and Tessa. I also confess that when I found out that this wasn't permanent...I hated it. It's a cop out.

      Tessa gets everything she wants in time. Okay, seriously? Why not just have them become an OT3 and be done with it?

      I'm sorry to have given this book a relatively low rating considering how well it's been rated by others. I just can't. I'm sorry.
    • 5/5
      Finally, finally I'm done reading Clockwork Princess!

      I'm speechless though. Completely and utterly so, since that Epilogue gave me nothing but chills, shivers, endorphines, tears and the likes. Emotions were everywhere, bouncing around me, echoing up and down the walls and ceiling.

      And all I can say that the greatness of this last book was incredible!

      I shall be writing my review a bit later.
    • 5/5
      I loved how this series ended. I don't usually like when things work out to perfectly, but it worked in this story. I am going to miss the characters. Tessa is so delightful. I often found that she would say the things I was thinking. Will wasn't as fun in this book, but he did have an excuse. I will always be in love with Jem.
    • 5/5
      The Infernal Devices especially this last book: Clockwork Princess have given me a whole new appreciation for the Mortal Instruments. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the first series a lot - it's definitely a 5 star rating but the Infernal Devices trilogy was just simply spectacular. All of my main questions were answered and this series made me understand the motives and personalities of all the characters in the Mortal Instruments so much better. I now completely understand why Magnus Bane helped Jace and Clary along with all the other Shadowhunters. I really liked Magnus Bane in the first books but now that I know and understand his motives even more he's become one of my favorite characters. Cassandra Clare is growing as an author and her books just seem to get better and better. The relationship between Will, Jem and Tessa was extremely deep. These characters are not carbon copies of the first series at all. They have their own personalities, tragedies, loves and problems. I was sucked into this book alongside it's characters and laughed and cried with them. This series in my opinion ranks at the top of my favorites list alongside the likes of A Wizard of Earthsea trilogy by Ursula K. Leguin, The War of the Fae/Clash of the Otherworlds by Elle Casey and the Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman.

      I knew going into it that this was going to be a tragic tale but the way in which events happened took me by complete surprise. There were some stunning twists and turns that I never saw coming and I was very relieved and satisfied with the way this series ended. I'm also hopeful that we'll be seeing some of the characters in the last book of the Mortal Instruments. I think I'm going to have to go back and read the Mortal Instruments (It's been a while since I've read them) so I can see how everyone is related. Unfortunately the Kindle version didn't come with the family tree which is kinda a good thing since it would have spoiled the story for me, but now that I finished the book I'd love to look at it. I would love to talk about everything that happened and the characters but don't want to spoil anything. Although I do have to say that I hope the Shadowhunter's nowaday's finally recognize Henry's genius. He might have been absentminded but his contributions to the Shadowhunters are huge. Some of his devices are used to this day and I hope his genius is mentioned in City of Heavenly Fire. I also noticed that Casandra Clare plans on publishing some smaller stories about Magnus Bane and other characters. Ones called "What really happened in Peru" (The Bane Chronicles) More Magnus Bane? Yes please! I cannot wait to read it. I don't think there will ever be such a thing as too much Magnus Bane for me. Do yourself a favor and read the Mortal Instruments then the Infernal Devices. You'll enjoy both series so much more after reading them together. Now I cannot wait for City of Heavenly Fire to come out. I so hope a certain someone (or somebody's) shows up in that book. Sigh, I'll be living in this world inside my head for a long long time to come. And for that this book is priceless.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book! It was so sad and beautiful. I was crying the last 200 pages. A beautiful ending to an amazing series.

    Book preview

    Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare

    1

    A DREADFUL ROW

    Marry on Monday for health,

    Tuesday for wealth,

    Wednesday the best day of all,

    Thursday for crosses,

    Friday for losses, and

    Saturday for no luck at all.

    —Folk rhyme

    December is a fortuitous time for a marriage, said the seamstress, speaking around her mouthful of pins with the ease of years of practice. As they say, ‘When December snows fall fast, marry, and true love will last.’  She placed a final pin in the gown and took a step back. There. What do you think? It is modeled after one of Worth’s own designs.

    Tessa looked at her reflection in the pier glass in her bedroom. The dress was a deep gold silk, as was the custom for Shadowhunters, who believed white to be the color of mourning, and would not marry in it, despite Queen Victoria herself having set the fashion for doing just that. Duchesse lace edged the tightly fitted bodice and dripped from the sleeves.

    It’s lovely! Charlotte clapped her hands together and leaned forward. Her brown eyes shone with delight. Tessa, the color looks so fine on you.

    Tessa turned and twisted in front of the mirror. The gold put some much-needed color into her cheeks. The hourglass corset shaped and curved her everywhere it was supposed to, and the clockwork angel around her throat comforted her with its ticking. Below it dangled the jade pendant that Jem had given her. She had lengthened the chain so she could wear them both at once, not being willing to part with either. You don’t think, perhaps, that the lace is a trifle too much adornment?

    Not at all! Charlotte sat back, one hand resting protectively, unconsciously, over her belly. She had always been too slim—skinny, in truth—to really need a corset, and now that she was going to have a child, she had taken to wearing tea gowns, in which she looked like a little bird. It is your wedding day, Tessa. If there is ever an excuse for excessive adornment, it is that. Just imagine it.

    Tessa had spent many nights doing just that. She was not yet sure where she and Jem would be married, for the Council was still deliberating their situation. But when she imagined the wedding, it was always in a church, with her being marched down the aisle, perhaps on Henry’s arm, looking neither to the left or right but straight ahead at her betrothed, as a proper bride should. Jem would be wearing gear—not the sort one fought in, but specially designed, in the manner of a military uniform, for the occasion: black with bands of gold at the wrists, and gold runes picked out along the collar and placket.

    He would look so young. They were both so young. Tessa knew it was unusual to marry at seventeen and eighteen, but they were racing a clock.

    The clock of Jem’s life, before it wound down.

    She put her hand to her throat, and felt the familiar vibration of her clockwork angel, its wings scratching her palm. The seamstress looked up at her anxiously. She was mundane, not Nephilim, but had the Sight, as all who served the Shadowhunters did. Would you like the lace removed, miss?

    Before Tessa could answer, there was a knock at the door, and a familiar voice. It’s Jem. Tessa, are you there?

    Charlotte sat bolt upright. Oh! He mustn’t see you in your dress!

    Tessa stood dumbfounded. Whyever not?

    It’s a Shadowhunter custom—bad luck! Charlotte rose to her feet. Quickly! Hide behind the wardrobe!

    The wardrobe? But— Tessa broke off with a yelp as Charlotte seized her about the waist and frog-marched her behind the wardrobe like a policeman with a particularly resistant criminal. Released, Tessa dusted off her dress and made a face at Charlotte, and they both peeked around the side of the furniture as the seamstress, after a bewildered look, opened the door.

    Jem’s silvery head appeared in the gap. He looked a bit disheveled, his jacket askew. He glanced around in puzzlement before his gaze lighted on Charlotte and Tessa, half-concealed behind the wardrobe. Thank goodness, he said. I’d no idea where any of you had gone. Gabriel Lightwood’s downstairs, and he’s making the most dreadful row.

    Write to them, Will, said Cecily Herondale. Please. Just one letter.

    Will tossed his sweat-soaked dark hair back and glared at her. Get your feet into position, was all he said. He pointed, with the tip of his dagger. There, and there.

    Cecily sighed, and moved her feet. She had known she was out of position; she’d been doing it intentionally, to needle Will. It was easy to needle her brother. That much she remembered about him from when he was twelve years old. Even then daring him to do something, like climb the steeply pitched roof of their manor house, had resulted in the same thing: an angry blue flame in his eyes, a set jaw, and sometimes Will with a broken leg or arm at the end of it.

    Of course this brother, the nearly adult Will, was not the brother she remembered from her childhood. He had grown both more explosive and more withdrawn. He had all their mother’s beauty, and all their father’s stubbornness—and, she feared, their father’s propensity for vices, though she had guessed that only from whispers among the occupants of the Institute.

    Raise your blade, Will said. His voice was as cool and professional as her governess’s.

    Cecily raised it. It had taken her some time to get used to the feel of gear against her skin: the loose tunic and trousers, the belt around her waist. Now she moved in it as comfortably as she had ever moved in the loosest nightgown. I don’t understand why you won’t consider writing a letter. A single letter.

    I don’t understand why you won’t consider going home, Will said. If you would just agree to return to Yorkshire yourself, you could stop worrying about our parents and I could arrange—

    Cecily interrupted him, having heard this speech a thousand times. Would you consider a wager, Will?

    Cecily was both pleased and a little disappointed to see Will’s eyes spark, just the way her father’s always did when a gentleman’s bet was suggested. Men were so easy to predict.

    What sort of a wager? Will took a step forward. He was wearing gear; Cecily could see the Marks that twined his wrists, the mnemosyne rune on his throat. It had taken her some time to see the Marks as something other than disfiguring, but she was used to them now—as she had grown used to the gear, to the great echoing halls of the Institute, and to its peculiar denizens.

    She pointed at the wall in front of them. An ancient target had been painted on the wall in black: a bull’s-eye inside a larger circle. If I hit the center of that three times, you have to write a letter to Dad and Mam and tell them how you are. You must tell them of the curse and why you left.

    Will’s face closed like a door, the way it always did when she made this request. But, You’ll never hit it three times without missing, Cecy.

    Well, then it should be no great concern to you to make the bet, William. She used his full name purposefully. She knew it bothered him, coming from her, though when his best friend—no, his parabatai; she had learned since coming to the Institute that these were quite different things—Jem did it, Will seemed to take it as a term of affection. Possibly it was because he still had memories of her toddling after him on chubby legs, calling Will, Will, after him in breathless Welsh. She had never called him William, only ever Will or his Welsh name, Gwilym.

    His eyes narrowed, those dark blue eyes the same color as her own. When their mother had said affectionately that Will would be a breaker of hearts when he was grown, Cecily had always looked at her dubiously. Will had been all arms and legs then, skinny and disheveled and always dirty. She could see it now, though, had seen it when she had first walked into the dining room of the Institute and he had stood up in astonishment, and she had thought: That can’t be Will.

    He had turned those eyes on her, her mother’s eyes, and she had seen the anger in them. He had not been pleased to see her, not at all. And where in her memories there had been a skinny boy with a wild tangle of black hair like a Gypsy’s and leaves in his clothes, there was now this tall, frightening man instead. The words she had wanted to say had dissolved on her tongue, and she had matched him, glare for glare. And so it had been since, Will barely enduring her presence as if she were a stone in his shoe, a constant but minor annoyance.

    Cecily took a deep breath, raised her chin, and prepared to throw the first knife. Will did not know, would never know, of the hours she had spent in this room, alone, practicing, learning to balance the weight of the knife in her hand, discovering that a good knife throw began from behind the body. She held both arms straight down and drew her right arm back, behind her head, before bringing it, and the weight of her body, forward. The tip of the knife was in line with the target. She released it and snapped her hand back, sucking in a gasp.

    The knife stuck, point-down in the wall, exactly in the center of the target.

    One, Cecily said, giving Will a superior smile.

    He looked at her stonily, yanked the knife from the wall, and handed it to her again.

    Cecily threw it. The second throw, like the first, flew directly to its target and stuck there, vibrating like a mocking finger.

    Two, Cecily said in a sepulchral tone.

    Will’s jaw set as he took the knife again and presented it to her. She took it with a smile. Confidence was flowing through her veins like new blood. She knew she could do this. She had always been able to climb as high as Will, run as fast, hold her breath as long. . . .

    She threw the knife. It struck its target, and she leaped into the air, clapping her hands, forgetting herself for a moment in the thrill of victory. Her hair came down from its pins and spilled into her face; she pushed it back and grinned at Will. "You shall write that letter. You agreed to the bet!"

    To her surprise he smiled at her. Oh, I will write it, he said. I will write it, and then I will throw it into the fire. He held up a hand against her outburst of indignation. "I said I would write it. I never said I would send it."

    Cecily’s breath went out of her in a gasp. "How dare you trick me like that!"

    I told you that you were not made of Shadowhunter stuff, or you would not be so easily fooled. I am not going to write a letter, Cecy. It’s against the Law, and that’s the end of it.

    "As if you care about the Law!" Cecily stamped her foot, and was immediately more annoyed than ever; she detested girls who stamped their feet.

    Will’s eyes narrowed. "And you don’t care about being a Shadowhunter. How is this? I shall write a letter and give it to you if you promise to deliver it home yourself—and not to return."

    Cecily recoiled. She had many memories of shouting matches with Will, of the china dolls she had owned that he had broken by dropping them out an attic window, but there was also kindness in her memories—the brother who had bandaged up a cut knee, or retied her hair ribbons when they had come loose. That kindness was absent from the Will who stood before her now. Mam used to cry for the first year or two after Will went; she had said, holding Cecily to her, that the Shadowhunters would take all the love out of him. A cold people, she had told Cecily, a people who had forbidden her marriage to her husband. What could he want with them, her Will, her little one?

    "I will not go, Cecily said, staring her brother down. And if you insist that I must, I will—I will—"

    The door of the attic slid open, and Jem stood silhouetted in the doorway. Ah, he said, threatening each other, I see. Has this been going on all afternoon, or did it just begin?

    He began it, Cecily said, jerking her chin at Will, though she knew it was pointless. Jem, Will’s parabatai, treated her with the distant sweet kindness reserved for the little sisters of one’s friends, but he would always side with Will. Kindly, but firmly, he put Will above everything else in the world.

    Well, nearly everything. She had been most struck by Jem when she first came to the Institute—he had an unearthly, unusual beauty, with his silvery hair and eyes and delicate features. He looked like a prince in a fairy-tale book, and she might have considered developing an attachment to him, were it not so absolutely clear that he was entirely in love with Tessa Gray. His eyes followed her where she went, and his voice changed when he spoke to her. Cecily had once heard her mother say in amusement that one of their neighbors’ boys looked at a girl as if she were the only star in the sky and that was the way Jem looked at Tessa.

    Cecily didn’t resent it: Tessa was pleasant and kind to her, if a little shy, and with her face always stuck in a book, like Will. If that was the sort of girl Jem wanted, she and he never would have suited—and the longer she remained at the Institute, the more she realized how awkward it would have made things with Will. He was ferociously protective of Jem, and he would have watched her constantly in case she ever distressed or hurt him in any way. No—she was far better out of the whole thing.

    I was just thinking of bundling up Cecily and feeding her to the ducks in Hyde Park, said Will, pushing his wet hair back and favoring Jem with a rare smile. I could use your assistance.

    "Unfortunately, you may have to delay your plans for sororicide a bit longer. Gabriel Lightwood is downstairs, and I have two words for you. Two of your favorite words, at least when you put them together."

     ‘Utter simpleton’? inquired Will.  ‘Worthless upstart’?

    Jem grinned.  ‘Demon pox,’  he said.

    Sophie balanced the salver on one hand with the ease of long practice while she rapped on Gideon Lightwood’s door with the other.

    She heard the sound of a hurried shuffle, and the door swung open. Gideon stood before her in trousers, braces, and a white shirt rolled up to the elbows. His hands were wet, as if he had just run quick fingers through his hair, which was also damp. Her heart took a little leap inside her chest before settling. She forced herself to frown at him.

    Mr. Lightwood, she said. I’ve brought the scones you rang for, and Bridget’s made you up a plate of sandwiches as well.

    Gideon took a step back to allow her into the room. It was like all the other rooms in the Institute: heavy dark furniture, a great four-poster bed, a wide fireplace, and high windows, which in this case looked down upon the courtyard below. Sophie could feel his gaze on her as she moved across the room to place the salver on the table before the fire. She straightened up and turned to him, her hands folded in front of her apron.

    Sophie—, he began.

    Mr. Lightwood, she interrupted. Is there anything else you require?

    He looked at her half-mutinously, half-sadly. I wish you would call me Gideon.

    I have told you, I cannot call you by your Christian name.

    I am a Shadowhunter; I do not have a Christian name. Sophie, please. He took a step toward her. Before I took up residence in the Institute, I had thought we were well on our way to a friendship. Yet since the day I arrived, you have been cold to me.

    Sophie’s hand went involuntarily to her face. She remembered Master Teddy, the son of her old employer, and the horrible way he would catch her in dark corners and press her up against the wall, hands creeping under her bodice, murmuring in her ear that she had better be friendlier to him, if she knew what was good for her. The thought filled her with sickness, even now.

    Sophie. Gideon’s eyes crinkled worriedly at the corners. What is it? If there is some wrong I have done you, some slight, please tell me what it is that I may remedy it—

    There is no wrong, no slight. You are a gentleman and I am a servant; anything more would be a familiarity. Please do not make me uncomfortable, Mr. Lightwood.

    Gideon, who had half-raised his hand, let it drop to his side. He looked so woebegone that Sophie’s heart softened. I have everything to lose, and he has nothing to lose, she reminded herself. It was what she told herself late at night, lying in her narrow bed, with the memory of a pair of storm-colored eyes hovering in her mind. I had thought we were friends, he said.

    I cannot be your friend.

    He took a step forward. What if I were to ask you—

    Gideon! It was Henry, at the open door, breathless, wearing one of his terrible green-and-orange-striped waistcoats. Your brother’s here. Downstairs—

    Gideon’s eyes widened. Gabriel’s here?

    Yes. Shouting something about your father, but he won’t tell us anything more unless you’re there. He swears it. Come along.

    Gideon hesitated, his eyes moving from Henry to Sophie, who tried to look invisible. I . . .

    "Come now, Gideon. Henry rarely spoke sharply, and when he did, the effect was startling. He’s covered in blood."

    Gideon paled, and he reached for the sword that hung on a set of double pegs by his door. I’m on my way.

    Gabriel Lightwood leaned against the wall inside the Institute doors, his jacket gone, his shirt and trousers drenched in scarlet. Outside, through the open doors, Tessa could see the Lightwood carriage, with its flame blazon on the side, drawn up at the foot of the steps. Gabriel must have driven it here himself.

    Gabriel, Charlotte said soothingly, as if she were trying to gentle a wild horse. Gabriel, tell us what happened, please.

    Gabriel—tall and slender, brown hair sticky with blood—scrubbed at his face, wild-eyed. His hands were bloody too. Where’s my brother? I have to talk to my brother.

    "He’s coming down. I sent Henry to fetch him, and Cyril to ready the Institute’s carriage. Gabriel, are you injured? Do you need an iratze?" Charlotte sounded as motherly as if this boy had never faced her down from behind Benedict Lightwood’s chair, had never conspired with his father to take the Institute away from her.

    That is a great deal of blood, said Tessa, pushing forward. Gabriel, it is not all yours, is it?

    Gabriel looked at her. It was the first time, Tessa thought, that she had seen him behave with no posturing at all. There was only stunned fear in his eyes, fear and—confusion. "No. . . . It’s theirs—"

    "Theirs? Who are they?" It was Gideon, hurrying down the stairs, a sword in his right hand. Along with him came Henry, and Jem, and behind him, Will and Cecily. Jem paused on the steps in startlement, and Tessa realized that he had caught sight of her in her wedding dress. His eyes widened, but the others were already pushing by, and he was carried down the steps like a leaf in a current.

    Is Father hurt? Gideon went on, coming to a stop before his brother. Are you? He put his hand up and took his brother’s face, his hand cupping Gabriel’s chin and turning it toward him. Though Gabriel was taller, the look of a younger sibling was clear in his face—relief that his brother was there, and a flicker of resentment at his peremptory tone.

    Father. . ., Gabriel began. Father is a worm.

    Will gave a short laugh. He was in gear as if he had just come from the practice room, and his hair curled damply against his temples. He was not looking at Tessa, but she had grown used to that. Will hardly ever looked at her unless he had to. It’s good to see you’ve come round to our view of things, Gabriel, but this is an unusual way of announcing it.

    Gideon shot Will a reproachful look before turning back to his brother. What do you mean, Gabriel? What did Father do?

    Gabriel shook his head. He’s a worm, he said again, tonelessly.

    I know. He has brought shame on the name of Lightwood, and lied to both of us. He shamed and destroyed our mother. But we need not be like him.

    Gabriel pulled away from his brother’s grip, his teeth suddenly flashing in an angry scowl. You’re not listening to me, he said. "He’s a worm. A worm. A bloody great serpentlike thing. Since Mortmain stopped sending the medicine, he’s been getting worse. Changing. Those sores upon his arms, they started to cover him. His hands, his neck, h-his face . . . Gabriel’s green eyes sought Will. It was the pox, wasn’t it? You know all about it, don’t you? Aren’t you some sort of expert?"

    Well, you needn’t act as if I invented it, said Will. Just because I believed it existed. There are accounts of it—old stories in the library—

    Demon pox? said Cecily, her face screwed up in confusion. Will, what is he talking about?

    Will opened his mouth, and flushed faintly across his cheekbones. Tessa hid a smile. It had been weeks since Cecily had come to the Institute, and still her presence bothered and upset Will. He did not seem to know how to behave around this younger sister, who was not the child he remembered, and whose presence he insisted was unwelcome. And yet Tessa had seen him follow Cecily around a room with his eyes, with the same protective love in his gaze that he sometimes bent on Jem. Certainly the existence of demon pox, and how one acquired it, was the last thing he would want to explain to Cecily. Nothing you need know about, he muttered.

    Gabriel’s eyes went to Cecily, and his lips parted in surprise. Tessa could see him taking Cecily in. Will’s parents must both have been very beautiful, Tessa thought, for Cecily was as pretty as Will was handsome, and with the same gleaming black hair and startling dark blue eyes. Cecily gazed boldly back at him, her expression curious; she must have been wondering who this boy was, who seemed to so dislike her brother.

    Is Father dead? Gideon demanded, his voice rising. Has the demon pox killed him?

    Not killed, said Gabriel. "Changed. It has changed him. Some weeks ago he moved our household to Chiswick. He would not say why. Then a few days ago he locked himself in his study. He wouldn’t come out, not even to eat. This morning I went to the study to try to rouse him. The door had been torn off its hinges. There was a . . . a trail of some slimy stuff leading down the hall. I followed it downstairs and into the gardens. He looked around the now silent entryway. He has become a worm. That is what I am telling you."

    I don’t suppose it would be possible, said Henry into the silence, to, er, step on him?

    Gabriel looked at him in disgust. I searched around the gardens. I found some of the servants. And when I say ‘I found’ some of them, I mean exactly what I say. They had been torn into—into pieces. He swallowed and looked down at his bloody clothes. I heard a sound—a high-pitched howling noise. I turned and saw it coming toward me. A great blind worm like a dragon out of a legend. Its mouth was open wide, lined with dagger teeth. I turned and ran for the stables. It slithered after me, but I leaped upon the carriage and drove it out through the gates. The creature—Father—did not follow. I think it fears to be seen by the general populace.

    Ah, said Henry. Too big to be stepped on, then.

    I shouldn’t have run, said Gabriel, looking at his brother. I should have stood and fought the creature. Maybe it could be reasoned with. Maybe Father is in there somewhere.

    And maybe it would have bitten you in half, said Will. What you are describing, the transformation into a demon, is the last stage of the pox.

    Will! Charlotte threw up her hands. "Why didn’t you say so?"

    You know, the books on demon pox are in the library, Will said with an injured tone. I wasn’t preventing anyone from reading them.

    "Yes, but if Benedict was going to turn into an enormous serpent, you’d think you could at least have mentioned it, said Charlotte. As a matter of general interest."

    First, said Will, I didn’t know he was going to turn into a gigantic worm. The end stage of demon pox is turning into a demon. It could have been any sort. Second, it takes weeks for the transformation process to occur. I would have thought even a certified idiot like Gabriel here would have taken account of it and notified someone.

    Notified who? asked Jem, not unreasonably. He had moved closer to Tessa as the conversation had continued. As they stood side by side, the backs of their hands brushed.

    "The Clave. The postman. Us. Anyone," said Will, shooting an irritated look at Gabriel, who was starting to get some color back and looked furious.

    I am not a certified idiot—

    Lack of certification hardly proves intelligence, Will muttered.

    And as I told you, Father locked himself in his study for the past week—

    And you didn’t think to take any special notice of that? said Will.

    You don’t know our father, said Gideon in the flat tone of voice he used sometimes when conversation about his family was inescapable. He turned back to his brother and put his hands on Gabriel’s shoulders, speaking quietly, in measured tones none of them could hear.

    Jem, beside Tessa, hooked his smallest finger through hers. It was a habitual affectionate gesture, one that Tessa had grown used to over the past months, enough that she sometimes put out her hand without thinking when he was standing by her. Is that your wedding dress? he asked under his breath.

    Tessa was saved answering by the appearance of Bridget, carrying gear, and Gideon suddenly turning to the rest of them and saying, Chiswick. We must go. Gabriel and I, if no one else.

    Go alone? Tessa said, startled enough to speak out of turn. But why would you not call upon others to come with you—

    The Clave, said Will, his blue eyes keen. He doesn’t want the Clave to know about his father.

    Would you? said Gabriel hotly. "If it were your family? His lip curled. Never mind. It’s not as if you know the meaning of loyalty—"

    Gabriel. Gideon’s voice was a reprimand. Do not speak to Will in that manner.

    Gabriel looked surprised, and Tessa could hardly blame him. Gideon knew of Will’s curse, of the belief that had caused his hostility and his abrupt manners, as all in the Institute did, but the story was private to them, and none outside had been told of it.

    We will come with you. Of course we will come with you, said Jem, releasing Tessa’s hand and stepping forward. Gideon did us a service. We have not forgotten, have we, Charlotte?

    Of course not, said Charlotte, turning. Bridget, the gear—

    I am conveniently already in gear, said Will as Henry shucked off his coat and traded it for a gear jacket and a weapons belt; Jem did the same, and suddenly the entryway was full of motion—Charlotte speaking quietly to Henry, her hand hovering just above her stomach. Tessa looked away from the private moment and saw a dark head bent with a fair one. Jem was at Will’s side with his stele drawn, tracing a rune on the side of Will’s throat. Cecily looked at her brother and scowled.

    I, too, am conveniently already in gear, she announced.

    Will jerked his head up, causing Jem to make a sound of annoyed protest. Cecily, absolutely not.

    You have no right to tell me yes or no. Her eyes flashed. I am going.

    Will jerked his head toward Henry, who shrugged apologetically. She does have the right. She has trained for nearly two months—

    She’s a little girl!

    You were doing the same at fifteen, said Jem quietly, and Will spun back toward him. For a moment everyone seemed to hold their breath, even Gabriel. Jem’s gaze held Will’s, steadily, and not for the first time Tessa had the sense of unspoken words passing between them.

    Will sighed and half-closed his eyes. Tessa will be wanting to come next.

    Of course I am coming, Tessa said. I may not be a Shadowhunter, but I too have trained. Jem is not going without me.

    "You are in your wedding dress," Will protested.

    Well, now that you’ve all seen it, I can’t possibly wear it to be married in, said Tessa. Bad luck, you know.

    Will groaned something in Welsh—unintelligible, but clearly the tone of a man defeated. Across the room Jem cast Tessa a slight, worried smile. The Institute door swung open then, letting a blaze of autumn sunlight into the entryway. Cyril stood on the threshold, breathless.

    The second carriage is now ready, he said. Who’ll be coming, then?

    To: Consul Josiah Wayland

    From: The Council

    Dear Sir,

    As you are doubtless aware, your term of service as Consul, after ten years, is coming to an end. The time has come to appoint a successor.

    As for ourselves, we are giving serious consideration to the appointment of Charlotte Branwell, née Fairchild. She has done good work as the head of the London Institute, and we believe her to have your stamp of approval, as she was appointed by you after the death of her father.

    As your opinion and esteem are to us of the highest value, we would appreciate any thoughts that you might have on the matter.

    Yours with the highest regards,

    Victor Whitelaw, Inquisitor, on behalf of the Council

    2

    THE CONQUEROR WORM

    And much of Madness, and more of Sin,

    And Horror the soul of the plot.

    —Edgar Allan Poe, The Conqueror Worm

    As the Institute’s carriage rolled through the gates of Lightwood House in Chiswick, Tessa was able to appreciate the place as she had not the first time she had been there, in the dead of night. A long gravel road flanked by trees led up to an immense white house with a circular drive in front of it. The house bore a strong resemblance to sketches she had seen of the classical temples of Greece and Rome with its strong, symmetrical lines and clean columns. There was a carriage drawn up before the steps, and gravel paths spread out through a network of gardens.

    And lovely gardens they were. Even in October they were a riot of blooms—late-flowering red roses and chrysanthemums in bronze-orange, yellow, and dark gold bordered neat paths that wandered through the trees. As Henry drew their carriage to a stop, Tessa stepped out of the carriage, helped by Jem, and heard the sound of water: a stream, she suspected, diverted to run through the gardens. It was such a lovely place, she could hardly associate it in her mind with the same location where Benedict had held his devilish ball, though she could see the path that wound around the side of the house that she had taken that night. It led to a wing of the house that looked as if it had been recently added. . . .

    The Lightwood carriage rolled up behind them, driven by Gideon. Gabriel, Will, and Cecily spilled out. The Herondale siblings were still arguing with each other as Gideon climbed down, Will illustrating his points with bold sweeps of his arms. Cecily was scowling at him, the furious expression on her face making her look so much like her brother that it would, under other circumstances, have been amusing.

    Gideon, even paler than before, turned in a circle, his blade unsheathed in his hand.

    Tatiana’s carriage, he said shortly as Jem and Tessa reached him. He pointed toward the vehicle drawn up by the steps. Its doors were both open. She must have decided to pay a call.

    Of all the times . . . Gabriel sounded furious, but his green eyes were sick with fear. Tatiana was their sister, recently married. The coat of arms on the carriage, a wreath of thorns, must have been the symbol of her husband’s family, Tessa thought. The group stood frozen, watching, as Gabriel moved to the carriage, slipping a long sabre from his belt. He leaned in the door, and cursed aloud.

    He pulled back, his eyes meeting Gideon’s. There’s blood on the seats, he said. And . . . this stuff. He prodded at a wheel with the tip of the sabre; when he drew it away, a long thread of stinking slime trailed from it.

    Will whipped a seraph blade from his coat and called aloud, Eremiel! As it began to blaze, a pale white star in the autumn light, he pointed first north, then south. The gardens run all round the house, down to the river, he said. I ought to know—I chased the demon Marbas all up through here one night. Wherever Benedict is, I doubt he’ll leave these grounds. Too much of a chance of being seen.

    We’ll take the west side of the house. You take the east, said Gabriel. Shout if you see anything and we’ll converge.

    Gabriel cleaned his blade on the gravel of the drive, stood, and followed his brother around the side of the house. Will headed the other way, followed by Jem, with Cecily and Tessa just behind them. Will paused at the corner of the house, scanning the gardens with his gaze, alert for any unusual sight or sound. A moment later, he beckoned for the others to follow.

    As they moved forward, the heel of Tessa’s shoe caught on one of the loose bits of gravel beneath the hedges. She stumbled, and immediately righted herself, but Will glanced back, and scowled. Tessa, he said. There had been a time when he had called her Tess, but no longer. You shouldn’t be with us. You’re not prepared. At least wait in the carriage.

    I shan’t, said Tessa mutinously.

    Will turned back to Jem, who appeared to be hiding a smile. "Tessa’s your fiancée. You make her see sense."

    Jem, holding his sword-cane in one hand, moved across the gravel to her. Tessa, do it as a favor to me, could you?

    You don’t think I can fight, Tessa said, drawing back and matching his silvery gaze with her own. Because I’m a girl.

    I don’t think you can fight because you’re wearing a wedding dress, said Jem. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Will could fight in that dress either.

    Perhaps not, said Will, who had ears like a bat’s. But I would make a radiant bride.

    Cecily raised her hand to point into the distance. What’s that?

    All four of them whirled to see a figure racing toward them. The sunlight was directly ahead, and for a moment, as Tessa’s eyes adjusted, all she saw was a blur. The blur quickly resolved itself into the figure of a running girl. Her hat was gone; her light brown hair flew on the wind. She was tall and bony, dressed in a bright fuchsia dress that had probably once been elegant but was now torn and bloodstained. She continued shrieking as she barreled toward them and threw herself into Will’s arms.

    He staggered backward, nearly dropping Eremiel. Tatiana—

    Tessa couldn’t quite tell if Will pushed her away or she drew back on her own, but either way Tatiana moved an inch or so away from Will, and Tessa could see her face for the first time. She was a narrow, angular girl. Her hair was sandy like Gideon’s, her eyes green like Gabriel’s, and she might have been pretty had her face not borne the lines of pinched disapproval. Even though she was tearstained and gasping, there was something theatrical about it, as if she were aware of all eyes on her—especially Will’s.

    A great monster, she wept. A creature—it seized darling Rupert from the carriage and made off with him!

    Will pushed her a bit farther away. What do you mean ‘made off with him’?

    She pointed. Th-there, she sobbed. It dragged him to the Italian gardens. He managed to elude its maw at first, but it harried him through the paths. No matter how much I screamed, it would not put him d-down! She burst into a fresh wave of tears.

    You screamed, Will said. Is that all you did?

    I screamed a great deal. Tatiana sounded injured. She drew fully away from Will and fixed him with a green gaze. I see you are as ungenerous as you ever were. Her eyes skated to Tessa, Cecily, and Jem. Mr. Carstairs, she said stiffly, as if they were at a garden party. Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Cecily. And you—

    Oh, in the name of the Angel! Will pushed past her; Jem, with a smile at Tessa, followed.

    "You cannot be other than Will’s sister," said Tatiana to Cecily as the boys vanished into the distance. Tessa she pointedly ignored.

    Cecily looked at her incredulously. I am, though I cannot imagine what difference it makes. Tessa—are you coming?

    I am, Tessa said, and joined her; whether Will wanted her there or not—or Jem either—she could not watch the two of them walk into danger and not want to be where they were. After a moment she heard Tatiana’s reluctant footsteps on the gravel behind her.

    They were moving away from the house, toward the formal gardens half-hidden behind their high hedges. In the distance sunlight sparked off a wood-and-glass greenhouse with a cupola on the roof. It was a fine autumn day: There was a brisk wind, the smell of leaves in the air. Tessa heard a rustle and glanced at the house behind her. Its smooth white facade rose high, broken only by the arches of balconies.

    Will, she whispered as he reached up and unlocked her hands from around his neck. He drew her gloves off, and they joined her mask and Jessie’s pins on the stone floor of the balcony. He pulled off his own mask next and cast it aside, running his hands through his damp black hair, pushing it back from his forehead. The lower edge of the mask had left marks across his high cheekbones, like light scars, but when she reached to touch them, he gently caught at her hands and pressed them down.

    No, he said. Let me touch you first. I have wanted . . .

    Blushing furiously, Tessa pulled her gaze away from the house and the memories it contained. The group had reached a gap in the hedges on their right. Through it what was clearly the Italian garden was visible, ringed round by foliage. Within the circle the garden was lined with rows of statuary depicting classical heroes and figures of myth. Venus poured water from an urn in a central fountain, while statues of great historians and statesmen—Caesar, Herodotus, Thucydides—regarded each other with blank eyes across the walkways that radiated out from the central point. There were also poets and playwrights. Tessa, hurrying along, passed Aristotle, Ovid, Homer—his eyes bound with a stone mask to indicate his blindness—Virgil and Sophocles, before an earsplitting scream rent the air.

    She whirled around. Several feet behind her Tatiana was standing stock-still, her eyes bulging out of her head. Tessa dashed back toward her, the others on her heels; she reached the girl first, and Tatiana caught at her blindly, as if forgetting for the moment who Tessa was. Rupert, Tatiana moaned, staring ahead of her, and Tessa, following her gaze, saw a man’s boot protruding from behind a hedge. She thought for a moment that he must have been lying stunned upon the ground, the rest of his body hidden by foliage, but as she leaned forward, she realized that the boot—and the several inches of gnawed-upon, bloody flesh that protruded from the boot’s opening—were all there was to see.

    A forty-foot worm? Will muttered to Jem as they moved through the Italian garden, their boots—thanks to a pair of Soundless runes—making no noise on the gravel. Think of the size of the fish we could catch.

    Jem’s lips twitched. It’s not funny, you know.

    It is a bit.

    You cannot reduce the situation to worm jokes, Will. This is Gabriel and Gideon’s father we’re discussing.

    "We’re not just discussing him; we’re chasing him through an ornamental sculpture garden because he’s turned into a worm."

    A demonic worm, said Jem, pausing to peer cautiously around a hedgerow. A great serpent. Would that help your inappropriate humor?

    There was a time when my inappropriate humor brought you a certain amusement, sighed Will. How the worm has turned.

    Will—

    Jem was interrupted by an earsplitting scream. Both boys spun, in time to see Tatiana Blackthorn reel backward into Tessa’s arms. Tessa caught the other girl, supporting her, as Cecily moved toward a gap in the hedges, whipping a seraph blade from her belt with the ease of a practiced Shadowhunter. Will did not hear her speak, but the blade sprang up in her hand, lighting her face and setting a sick blaze of dread alight in Will’s stomach.

    He began to run, Jem at his heels. Tatiana was sagging limply in Tessa’s arms, her face starkly twisted into a wail. "Rupert! Rupert!" Tessa was struggling with the other girl’s weight, and Will wanted to pause to help her—but Jem already had, his hand on Tessa’s arm, and it was reasonable. It was his place, as her fiancé.

    Will savagely yanked his attention away, back to his sister, who was moving between the gap in the hedges, her blade held high as she edged around the grisly remains of Rupert Blackthorn.

    Cecily! Will called in exasperation. She began to turn—

    And the world exploded. A fountain of dirt and mud sprayed up before them, geysering into the sky. Clods of earth and mud clattered down on them like hail. In the center of the geyser—an enormous, blind serpent, a pale grayish-white color. The color of dead flesh, Will thought. A stench came off it like the stench of a grave. Tatiana gave a wail and went limp, pulling Tessa to the ground with her.

    The worm began to fling itself to and fro, trying to pull free of the earth. Its mouth opened—it was less of a mouth and more of an enormous slash bisecting its head, lined with sharklike teeth. A great keening hiss came from its throat.

    Halt! Cecily cried. She held her blazing seraph blade out in front of her; she looked absolutely fearless. Get back, damned creature!

    The worm lashed down toward her. She stood fast, her blade in hand, as its great jaws descended—and Will leaped at her, knocking her out of the way. They both rolled into a hedge as the worm’s head struck the ground where she had been standing, leaving a sizeable dent.

    Will! Cecily pulled herself away from him, but not quite in time. Her seraph blade slashed across his forearm, leaving a red burn behind. Her eyes were blue fire. That was unnecessary!

    You’re not trained! Will shouted, half out of his mind with fury and terror. You’ll get yourself killed! Stay where you are! He reached for her blade, but she twisted away from him and onto her feet. A moment later the worm was surging down again, its mouth open. Will had dropped his own blade diving for his sister; it was several feet away. He leaped to the side, avoiding the creature’s jaws by inches, and then Jem was there, sword-cane in hand. He drove the blade up, hard, into the side of the worm’s body. A hellish scream burst from its throat, and it whipped backward, spraying black blood. With a hiss it disappeared behind a hedgerow.

    Will spun around. He could barely see Cecily; Jem had thrown himself between her and Benedict, and he was spattered in black blood and mud. Behind Jem, Tessa had dragged Tatiana into her lap; their skirts belled out together, Tatiana’s gaudy pink mixing with the ruined gold of Tessa’s wedding dress. Tessa had bent over her as if to protect her from the sight of her father, and much of the demon blood had splashed upon Tessa’s hair and clothes. She looked up, her face pale, and her eyes met Will’s.

    For a moment the garden, the noise, the stench of blood and demon, vanished away, and he was alone in a soundless place with only Tessa. He wanted to run to her, wrap her in his arms. Protect her.

    But it was Jem’s place to do those things, not his. Not his.

    The moment passed, and Tessa was on her feet, pulling Tatiana up by main force, looping the other girl’s arm about her own shoulders even as Tatiana lolled against her, half-conscious.

    You must move her from here. She’ll be killed, Will said, sweeping his gaze over the garden. She has no training.

    Tessa’s mouth began to set in its familiar, stubborn line. I don’t wish to leave you.

    Cecily looked horrified. You don’t think . . . Wouldn’t the creature hold off? She’s his daughter. If it—if he—has any family feeling left—

    "He consumed his son-in-law, Cecy, Will snapped. Tessa, go with Tatiana if you want to save her life. And stay with her by the house. It would be a disaster if she came rushing back here."

    Thank you, Will, Jem murmured as Tessa drew the stumbling girl away as quickly as she could, and Will felt the words as three needle pricks inside his heart. Always when Will did something to protect Tessa, Jem thought it was for his sake, not for Will’s. Always Will wished Jem could be entirely right. Each needle prick had its own name. Guilt. Shame. Love.

    Cecily screamed. A shadow blotted out the sun, and the hedgerow in front of Will burst apart. He found himself staring down the dark red gullet of the massive worm. Ropes of spittle hung between its enormous teeth. Will snatched for the sword at his belt, but the worm was already rearing back, a dagger protruding from the side of its neck. Will recognized it without turning. It was Jem’s. He heard his parabatai cry out a warning, and then the worm was hurtling toward Will again and he slammed his sword upward, through the underside of its jaw. Blood spurted through its teeth, splattering Will’s gear with a hissing noise. Something struck the back of his knees and, unprepared, he went over hard, his shoulders slamming into the turf.

    He choked as the wind was knocked out of him. The worm’s thin, annulated tail was wrapped around his knees. He kicked out, seeing stars, Jem’s anxious face, blue sky above him—

    Thunk. An arrow embedded itself in the worm’s tail, just below Will’s knee. Benedict’s grip loosened, and Will rolled away across the dirt and struggled to his knees, just in time to see Gideon and Gabriel Lightwood pounding toward them across the dirt path. Gabriel held a bow. He was notching it again as he ran, and Will realized with a distant surprise that Gabriel Lightwood had just shot his father to save Will’s life.

    The worm caromed backward, and there were hands under Will’s arms, hauling him to his feet. Jem. He released Will, who turned to see that his parabatai already had his sword-cane out and was glaring ahead. The demon worm appeared to be writhing in agony, undulating as it swept its great, blind head from side to side, uprooting shrubbery with its thrashings. Leaves filled the air, and the small group of Shadowhunters choked on dust. Will could hear Cecily coughing and longed to tell her to run back to the house, but he knew she wouldn’t do it.

    Somehow the worm, by thrashing its jaws, had worked the sword free; the weapon clattered to the ground among the rosebushes, smeared with black ichor. The worm began to slide backward, leaving a trail of slime and blood. Gideon grimaced and dashed forward to seize up the fallen sword with a gloved hand.

    Suddenly Benedict reared up like a cobra, his jaws apart and dripping. Gideon raised the sword, looking impossibly small against the creature’s vast bulk.

    Gideon! It was Gabriel, white-faced, raising his bow; Will spun aside as an arrow flew past him and buried itself in the worm’s body. The worm yelped and spun, humping its body away from them with incredible speed. As it slithered away, a flick of its tail caught the edge of a statue, and squeezed it tightly—the statue exploded into dust, showering into the dry ornamental pool.

    By the Angel, it just crushed Sophocles, noted Will as the worm vanished behind a large structure shaped like a Greek temple. Has no one respect for the classics these days?

    Gabriel, breathing hard, lowered his bow. "You fool, he said savagely to his brother. What were you thinking, rushing up to him like that?"

    Gideon whirled, pointing his bloody sword at Gabriel. "Not ‘him.’ It. That is not our father any longer, Gabriel. If you cannot countenance that fact—"

    I shot him with an arrow! Gabriel shouted. What more do you want of me, Gideon?

    Gideon shook his head as if disgusted with his brother; even Will, who did not like Gabriel, felt a twinge of sympathy for him. He had shot the beast.

    We must pursue it, said Gideon. It has gone behind the folly—

    "The what?" said Will.

    A folly, Will, said Jem. It is a decorative structure. I assume there is no real interior.

    Gideon shook his head. It is merely plaster. If we two were to go around one side of it, and you and James the other—

    "Cecily, what are you doing? Will demanded, interrupting Gideon; he knew he sounded like a distracted parent, but he didn’t care. Cecily had slid her blade into her belt and appeared to be trying to climb one of the small yew trees inside the first row of hedges. Now is not the time for climbing trees!"

    She looked toward him angrily, her black hair blowing across her face. She opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak, there was a sound like an earthquake, and the folly burst apart in shards of plaster. The worm hurtled forth, heading straight toward them with the terrifying speed of an out-of-control train.

    By the time they reached the front courtyard of Lightwood House, Tessa’s neck and back were aching. She was tightly laced into her corset beneath the heavy wedding dress, and the weight of the sobbing Tatiana dragged down her left shoulder painfully.

    She was relieved to see the carriages come into view—relieved, and also startled. The scene in the courtyard was so peaceful—the carriages where they had left them, the horses cropping grass, the facade of the house undisturbed. After half-carrying, half-dragging Tatiana to the first carriage, Tessa wrenched the door open and helped her in, wincing when the other girl’s sharp nails dug into her shoulders as she heaved herself and her skirts into the space inside.

    Oh, God, Tatiana moaned. The shame of it, the terrible shame. That the Clave might know of what has befallen my father. For pity’s sake, could he not have thought of me, even for a moment?

    Tessa blinked. "That thing, she said. I do not think it was capable of thinking of anyone, Mrs. Blackthorn."

    Tatiana looked at her dizzily, and for a moment Tessa was ashamed of the resentment she had felt toward the other girl. She had not liked being sent away from the gardens, where she might perhaps have helped—but Tatiana had just seen her husband torn to pieces before her eyes by her own father. She was deserving of more sympathy than Tessa had been feeling.

    Tessa made her voice more gentle. I know you have had a bad shock. If you would lie down—

    "You are very tall, Tatiana said. Do gentlemen complain of it?"

    Tessa stared.

    And you are dressed as a bride, said Tatiana.

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