The End Has Come: Clockwork Princess: A Nonspoilery Review

In the third and final installment of Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series, the story of Tessa Gray, Will Herondale, James Carstairs, and the London Institute shadow hunters is brought to an emotional close. For fans of the series, Clockwork Princess is nothing less than what readers have come to expect from Clare. The story is intricate and intense causing one to laugh out loud one moment and burst into tears the next.

A satisfying end to say the least, Clockwork Princess finds quirky ways to connect this late 1800's companion piece to Clare's 2007 set Mortal Instruments series. Perhaps one of the most satisfying aspects of this final tale is the definite transformation of Magnus Bane from cold detached downworlder to the loveable passionate warlock that fans of The Mortal Instruments have come to love.

Personally what I have loved about this series, is that while The Infernal Devices manages to be a part of the supernatural world that the author created in her original series, it clearly stands on its own. From beginning to end Clockwork Princess maintains the beautiful and delicate tone that Clare introduced us to on page one of Clockwork Angel. In the finale, every character is given their time to shine and no one plot feels forced. Although the story is given a clear ending, the author presents readers with a few winks to her ongoing shadowhunter stories including the forthcoming Dark Artifacts series.

In Clockwork Princess, readers are treated to an ending that is satisfying and unique. While the series as a whole clearly fits into the supernatural/fantasy young adult genre that is overpopulating bookshelves today, it could just as easily be placed amongst the works of classic authors such as Fitzgerald and Dickens. Even if you have not read Cassandra Clare's other work or if you are not a fan of The mortal Instruments novels, I recommend that you pick up The Infernal Devices immediately.

Usually one to read a book in a single sitting, I found myself slowing down during the last two hundred pages, unwilling to say goodbye to the characters I had come to feel so deeply for. Even though I had over a year to theorize what could happen at the end of this series, Cassandra Clare proved to have several surprises up her sleeve. I was certainly not prepared for the ending that I got, but neither was I disappointed.

You can pick up your copy of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess at your local book store now!