I have finished the entire series at this point so look forward to the discussions for the next two books in the coming weeks! But still, be courteous to your fellow commenters by not posting spoilers for future books.
I'm so excited to see what you thought of the rest of the series! And what you ended up feeling about the love triangle, because like you say I honestly couldn't choose a side - even though as a character I love Jem better, I still want Tessa to be with both of them
I finally gave this book a try and I hope the next ones are better? I didn’t hate this one, but it took me a looooooong time to get into it. Please be another shatter me kinda series *fongers crawssed*
Jem is my precious cinnamon roll since the first book and he remains so. I didn't hate Will (definitely agree with you about him being a brat at the beginning) but I still never loved him as much as many others seemed to. Throughout the rest of series, I continue to be a Jem girl. So glad to see you giving him love since I don't think he gets enough credit within the series.
Nasreen N I definitely understand how you feel! I was spoiled for the end so I knew how everybody ended up before I finished the series, although I have since then. SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE ON FOR OTHERS READING THIS "DISCUSSION": I always supported Will more though because I knew he and Tessa ended up together, but I preferred Jem as a character more because he wasn't a brat, as Sam calls him. SORRY TO ANYONE WHO GOT SPOILER BY READING THIS! I JUST WANTED TO SHOW SUPPORT TO A COMMENTER! DIDN'T MEAN TO RUIN THE TRILOGY FOR ANYONE!
Cassandra clare apparently said that when she was creating the chatacters of will and jem she combined all the characteristics of what her version of a "perfect man" would be and then gave half the characteristics to will and the other half to jem, which is why the love triangle works so well! Also i love will herondale but jem is just so nice and precious and he makes me cry 😭
Will is my favorite, but honestly idc about Tessa and Will or Tessa and Jem. The best part of this series is the parabatai relationship between Will and Jem.
I am SO interested how your thoughts on Will will develop!!! I personally am someone who grew to like him but I am still like STOP PUTTING HIM ON A FUCKING THRONE!! And Jem is still my faaav!
Wait, Henry and Charlotte are supposed to be 23? I've constantly been imagining them as 30 something. I have read the first two books (about to start clockwork princess) and I still strongly dislike Will. Jem is my everything though. He's the only character I loved at the end of the first one. That doesn't mean I'm team Jem though. I don't care. I don't like Tessa either so...
I don't support Cassandra Clare anymore, but I still love the Infernal Devices books. I am just so so so so glad you like Jem (and more than Will) because he doesn't get nearly as much love as he should!
I love Jem too. He was my favorite for sure in the books. I didn't hate Will but I didn't love him as much as a lot of other readers did. The next book Clockwork Prince was my favorite of the Trilogy. Jem is just the most wonderful soul! And like you I haven't read any of the other Mortal Instruments. I may read them someday but they aren't on my must reads right now.
100% with all you said. You actually seemed to like the book more then me (finished it 5 min ago) and I read all TMI and watch the show. Maybe my hopes were too high. But like argh Will... I doubt that his backstory will make up for how he acts in this book. I was excited to see Magnus and Church (the cat lol) cause I know them but thats it. Hoping book 2 is better
Nah Jem was always my favourite. He's so precious and adorable. I don't know how you feel about reading TMI now, but I would highly, highly recommend The Dark Artifices, they're easily the best of her books with the most interesting characters.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the final book. That was my favorite in the series! And I'm pretty much only reading Cassandra Clare's books at this point for Jem / Tessa / Will references.
I also thought the first book was pretty good, but I was disappointed by the second two books, so I'm excited to hear your thoughts on them. I'm glad you're posting reviews of this series because I know I can always hear a fair and critical review from you.
Question guys, it's been so long since I read Clockwork Angel, so I kind of forgot, but how did Jem start falling in love with Tessa? ( I mean, I remember how I fell for Jem, but yeah. Moving on...)
Sam, I can say that I just loved your review. I'm a huge fan of this series and Cassie in general, and I think you are a fresh pair of eyes and I loved your opinion, you have pointed out somethings that the fans tend to ignore, especially when it comes to Will Herondale. Now I really want to re-read this trilogy. I hope you keep enjoying the series. Now talking about not reading TMI I get it. I usually recommend my friends to read TID and If they enjoy It they can read TMI, but if they don't, they can vê happy with the end of TID because It stands on its own.
Cassandra Clare is a known plagarist and cyberbully tho. Her series also started out as a Ginny/Draco fanfic and she has a weird thing for incest. That being said, I agree with you on the whole Will/Jem/Tessa thing. Although Jem read like a character straight from anime, I still like him better. Also Tessa, ugh. Yikes.
I do like Will more (not by a lot at all, like Jem is definitely an awesome character I love him so much too), but I can definitely see how people would not like his character so much in the first book. That, I think, is one of the main reasons this love triangle is so good because you learn to love each of their characters and they all three love each other so much and it just makes it hard to pick! I definitely feel like I need to re-read The Infernal Devices! I loved your video so much! I love how you still state your honest opinion around such a hyped book and it's something I really appreciate!!😀😀
Jem is my heart! My true love!!! He's my favorite character from from Cassie's world. I didn't like Will until later, but he could never match my precious Jem ❤
Will was definitely bratty! He grew on me later on in the series but there were still things he did that didn't settle well with me. Jem is a precious baby, I love him so much!
I liked will, and I understand why he acted the way he did, but to be honest, I think he was a total dick to Tessa. Like he was a dick to everyone, but especially Tessa, like he kept toying with her. He’d kiss her and then shove her away and try to upset her. Like I have no problem with him keeping people at arms length, but he shouldn’t have played with tessa’s emotions like that. Sorry about that little rant x
Completely felt the same way! Absolutely adore Jem, he was just so sweet and wonderful. Throughout the series I always loved him and rooted for him! Will i do like and don't mind as a love interest but i took as in if they were real people, i'd pick someone like Jem!
I agree 100 percent with you about Will and Jem. I'm sure you and I will agree with the series as a whole because I had the same thoughts about this first book.
YES, I totally agree about Jem and Will, I went into the series having very high expectations of Will, and by the end of this book, I was like ...have y'all met Jem though?? Another one of my favourite parts of this series is the relationship between Will and Jem, especially when it's more explored in the next two books. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the series!
People watch your videos because they feel they're likely to share your opinions, so maybe it's a personality thing. And of course almost every excited person who favours Jem will be sure to comment about it, so the comments do look a bit like an ocean of Jem appreciation :)
Oh Sam I freaking love you! I appreciate so much your opinions going at this series without reading TMI is actually quite refreshing :) I totally understand what you mean about Charlotte and Henry, I was hard for me to picture them being in their early 20s. I can't really say anything else without spoiling or hinting.... Aaaaahhh OK bye :)
Cassandra Clare books are kinda terrible but they're so addictive. I read The Infernal Devices back to back so I'll avoid saying anything because I'll probably spoil something. I remember liking Jessamine though but I'm a bitch so maybe that's why. I wonder how many people would like Will if he wasn't a pretty boy..
in the beginning of the series i preferred Jem over Will, i was really rooting for him and i shared a lot of your views on Will; but after reading about his past i started to understand him and jem and william are really on the same level for me, i love them both equally.
I love Jem as well, he is my favourite all the way through although I really like will too, he definitely grew on me with each book. Can I ask why you're so against reading TMI? I'm just interested I'm not saying you should read it or anything...
Thoughts on Tomes I tend to prefer urban fantasy in a historical setting too, another really good series is The Dark Days series by Alison Goodman, it's similar to TID but set in the regency period 😀
I hate Will Herondale, I didn't like him in the first book but the "tragic backstory" made me hate him. I love Jem so much from what I remember and he deserves the world. Finally someone who is a Jem fan, because the Will hype is so lame when you have this Precious cinnamon roll of Jem with a real tragic backstory. And he's still not a dick to people, I will defend Jem with my life
I only read clockwork angel of this series years ago but I totally agree that Will was just such a brat and hurting people and imo it's not justified by his backstory - I'm interested to see how you feel about the series as it continues!
The problem I had with this book, after reading The Mortal Instruments, is that is the exact same formula. Girl who doesn't know she's a downworlder ends up on epic adventure to save a family member and finds herself in a love triangle with two other downworlders who are complete opposites. The accessory characters are exactly the same with different names. I still like the series and the Shadowhunters world but I think Cassandra Clare could have developed the characters differently. I might have connected more with Tessa if I didn't think of her as a Victorian-era version of Clary. Since you're reading this as a stand alone series, you won't be bothered by the formulaic writing.
Oh my goodness! Your review is how I feel about the story and the characters. Spot on. Will (huge brat) Tessa. Jessamine. Jem (love him, I actually perked up while reading the book when he showed up), Charlotte and Henry (yes, they feel older to me mid-40s). Easy semi-quick read. But yes, I didn't see Tessa changing when she got hurt. Smart girl. Thanks for the review! Looking forward to yours of Prince and Princesses after I read them.
I only read the first book a year ago. The only thing I remember is liking the scenes between Jem and Will. Great bromance. I've been meaning to read the other books and I'm never in the mood. Maybe I'll do it now so I can watch your reviews.
I love Jem...He is my fav. I'm sure that I like you..having read the books well after the hype...like Jem most probably because of all the hype on Will
There's a novella in tales from the shadowhunter academy called nothing but shadows I think u can get just the e novella. It's about Will and Tessa son James herondale. If you love Jem you'll love Jamie he's a precious cup cake just like Jem. The novella kinda explores Jamie and if he does or doesn't have some kind of powers since his mother is a warlock. It's really good makes me excited for the last hours since James Herondale will be one of the main characters in that trilogy.
I just knew that Jem was going to be your preferred choice. It's hard not to love him and thats probably why I was so involved with this love triangle, as you mentioned, I ended up loving every single one in the triangle. Will is my choice, but I do wonder if I would feel the same if i were to read TID for the first time at this age. To be honest, the overall arching plot with the Magister always took second place to just being back with the gang.
Your thoughts on will and jem were honestly me reading this book! I thought I was gonna like will I wanted to like will, but all I could think about was the precious jem carstairs. And will was winey and annoying and couldn't compare to the wonderful jem
So I just read Clockwork Angel. A little late I know. But I def agree with you on the Will and Jem aspect. I think everyone forgives Will for being a brat because he's soooo good looking and that's all.
I am with you on the Tess being annoying. I didn't get the hype of why Tess was so good or why everyone liked her. I agree she started getting her groove but she was still a bit irritating.
I feel you. When I first got both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, I actually love TID more and was glad I picked those up first and then City of Bones. The settings in Infernal Devices felt so real when I was reading it through and I like Tessa more than Clary. It makes me not want to read further after City of Bones and wait for The Last Hours (sequel series to the Infernal Devices) that follow those same characters.
Ahh, I'm so happy you love Jem as much as I do. He doesn't get nearly enough love as Will. I don't hate Will at all, but there's so many other characters exactly like him and Jem is just refreshing to me. He's 100% my favorite character and I'm just...really happy lol. Sweet, kind characters are underrated tbh.
Listening to you talk about the the things you enjoyed about this novel, I think you might really like one of my favorite series. It's the Veronica Speedwell series, and the first book is called A Curious Beginning. It's an adult historical mystery novel set in Victorian London, with a badass female protagonist and a romantic subplot. I know you probably have a very long TBR list but if you'd like to make it a little longer I think this could be a good addition! (Not enough people love these books and I'm trying to rectify this :p )
Omg I have 800% respect for your opinions and for somewhat going into TFD without actually reading TMI. My backgroud: read the first TMI in high-school when it came out. Felt like something was missing and just never picked up the rest. Just read the first 3 TMI, personally you can tell it's Cassandra's first writings. Now just finished Clockwork Angel and now here I am. So thoughts? It's def a 100% retelling of City of Bones (the characters are kinda carbon copies and the main plot is, guess what, vampires.) Her background of fanfiction is like, so apparent. All over. It's alright, but I feel fanfiction has less "structure" and more "idolizing" as it's main focus. A little salty that the shadow world has so much more to it than vampires but yet it's the main focus besides Shadowhunters. Ohhkay, whatever. Cassandra got dragged for those first 3 books so I feel this is kind of her redemption. I like Tessa a hell lot more than Clary by FAR. She actually does something. Jem is well, a gem. I liked Will's snarkiness but you're right, the brattiness really dulled anything else. Cassandra does explain them as the two different sides of a chess game so it makes since on why they're so polar opposite. Plot was pretty predictable, and I honestly wanted Camille to be the Magister! That would have been a great plot twist. The villain is not really... intimidating. And I think what really disappointed me was that you never find out the significance of the damn Clockwork Angel.
Currently reading clockwork prince. I read the first two tmi books ages ago and just couldn't continue with that series but decided to give this one a go. Didn't love clockwork angel... And wow totally didn't remember that Charlotte is 23 until I watched your video. No. Charlotte is 45 in my mind. Crazy! Although I have to say in YA I generally just picture all the characters whatever age I feel like they are since so rarely they act their age (especially in fantasy.) So whatever age the author says they are doesn't bother me.
I watched your spoiler-free review when you posted it, but I just finically read Clockwork Angel. I agree with everything you said in this video, except that I will be reading the rest of the series (The Mortal Instruments & The Dark Artifices) 😹, but anyway, great video!!
Okay I love Jem (and maybe like .5 better than Will if I had to choose)...but for me I cannot love Jem without loving Will too. They are just two halves of a whole. You cannot have one without the other.
I go back forth between Jem and Will. You would think I would lean more towards Will, because he's well read and I usually like male characters that act like jerks but are softies deep down, but I lean more towards. He's a precious little puppy you want to take home.
I usually have very similar taste/thoughts as you and its interesting here cause I love Mortal instruments but just cant stand Infernal Devices... I do agree on the Will/Jem thing. Will is not someone I really like, but I liked Jem. Ive read Clockwork Angel and then just gave up a third into Clockwork Prince.
Sofie Johansson it really depends on what you read them for. The plot isn't particularly strong with these but I read them for the character interactions and relationships.
So, let's see how I comment this book since referencing future ones. This is, without a doubt, my favorite Cassandra Clare's series, and I was lucky enough to read each book as soon as they came out, so I loved this series before the hype and I fell in love with Will Herondale without knowing it was a thing. The thing is, I fell in love with both Will and the trilogy since book one, but I didn't LOVE THEM since then. I loved Victorian London, and all the literature references, and Magnus Bane (who I already knew) and Will was exactly my type of bad boy. I completely overlooked Jem, because yes, I liked him and yes, he was nice, but he didn't caught my attention (and I judge myself SO MUCH for that. Jem is so good and so perfect and his friendship with Will is everything). Honestly, I really didn't expected you to like Will since book one (I had the feeling you would gravitate more towards Jem) and most importanly, I didn't expected you to love the trilogy since the very beginning, specially with (but not only because of)all the hype, so I really understand your opinion about everything. I can't wait to see how your thoughts progress with the other two book. Oh, and yes, Charlotte is at least a thirty something in my mind.
Of the Cassandra Clare novels, these are my favorites. Had I only read these, I wouldn't feel like I was missing out. Let's talk no spoiler Will... definitely a brat. Even with the foreshadowing of a bad past, even knowing that outcome, he was still a pig headed brat in this one. I am glad to see you loving Jem as much as I did. He really is one of those precious characters you just want to love and squish their cheeks. I am looking forward to more of your thoughts as you progress in the series.
I love Jem, too. And I was not really into Will as everybody does because he's so insensitive. I am hoping for his character development in the next books.
I'm in love with Jem he is also my precious bean😭😭😭 But dw about the other series they're not necessary to read tid, ppl only that bc they're fangirling about the links to other series
Yes, Jem! He's so kind and wonderful, but everyone loves Will. I actually didn't pick up on the Jem side of the love triangle until book 2. I'm as oblivious as Tessa XD
I just finished reading Clockwork Angel for the first time today, I'm SO glad I found this vid. I was anticipating Will since everyone and their mother was head over heels for him...but no one warned me about Jem, the most precious and kindest boy who deserves everything good. I agree with you, Will is really bratty it was pretty ridiculous. The plot did seem predictable, and I hope that Jessamine's character is built up more, she seemed super bland to me. I'm looking forward to your Clockwork Prince review!
Jem is precious to me as well! He's definitely my favorite throughout the whole series. I just love him! I finished The Infernal Devices earlier this month and loved all of it. I would definitely say this is the series worth reading. I've been forcing myself through The Mortal Instruments and I can say it has NOT been worth it! Each book has put me in a reading slump because of how much disappointment I've felt from each book and the characters are not nearly as lovable as TID's.
Lmao I hated will in the first book, but babe, the next two books, I fell in love. I love him a lot. And I love Jem as well! He's so precious! I just love jem and wills relationship as well!!
Thinking back to when I first read this book (a long time ago, I've reread the series several times since then), I felt similarly to you about this book and each of the characters lol. Not completely, I suppose, because I had read TMI before this one, but since this can really be it's own entity idk how much of a difference that made. I def felt the same about Will after the first one. I wanted to like him but at the end of this book I was like...wow. Not okay dude. Tbh after my first read-through of the series, though, he became my favorite for a while. Well, I guess favorite of the main three, there are a few side characters I think I liked even more at one point. Now, I love them all. I feel I've reached that point where I'm past the early fan phase and I'm into the appreciating the series and the characters for all that they are and all that they've come to mean to me phase. Plus, Jem became even more important to me over time as I reread the books, in part due to some personal life events. It was really interesting to see this book through the POV of someone who was introduced to it though very different circumstances. I'm looking forward to your take on the rest of the series!
It's really more explained in the mortal instruments series that shadowhunters feel more grown up because they had to be grownup, if that makes any sense? I know you said you wasn't going to read the 6 books but it really explains the culture of shadowhunters more in that series! Shadowhunters are in battle all the time, fighting demons and Downworlders even when they are young (as teenagers) and it makes it highly possible for them to die almost everyday. So they are almost forced to grow up in that sense, it's their culture as Nephilim.
I have finished the entire series at this point so look forward to the discussions for the next two books in the coming weeks! But still, be courteous to your fellow commenters by not posting spoilers for future books.
Without spoilers did you enjoy this series as much as you thought you would?
TurnedPages I honestly didn't have any expectations going in!
I'm so excited to see what you thought of the rest of the series! And what you ended up feeling about the love triangle, because like you say I honestly couldn't choose a side - even though as a character I love Jem better, I still want Tessa to be with both of them
I finally gave this book a try and I hope the next ones are better? I didn’t hate this one, but it took me a looooooong time to get into it. Please be another shatter me kinda series *fongers crawssed*
Jem is my precious cinnamon roll since the first book and he remains so. I didn't hate Will (definitely agree with you about him being a brat at the beginning) but I still never loved him as much as many others seemed to. Throughout the rest of series, I continue to be a Jem girl. So glad to see you giving him love since I don't think he gets enough credit within the series.
Nasreen N I definitely understand how you feel! I was spoiled for the end so I knew how everybody ended up before I finished the series, although I have since then. SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE ON FOR OTHERS READING THIS "DISCUSSION": I always supported Will more though because I knew he and Tessa ended up together, but I preferred Jem as a character more because he wasn't a brat, as Sam calls him. SORRY TO ANYONE WHO GOT SPOILER BY READING THIS! I JUST WANTED TO SHOW SUPPORT TO A COMMENTER! DIDN'T MEAN TO RUIN THE TRILOGY FOR ANYONE!
Nasreen N I feel the same way. I like Will enough by the end of the series but Jem is my fave.
YESSSS i love Jem. :D
Cassandra clare apparently said that when she was creating the chatacters of will and jem she combined all the characteristics of what her version of a "perfect man" would be and then gave half the characteristics to will and the other half to jem, which is why the love triangle works so well! Also i love will herondale but jem is just so nice and precious and he makes me cry 😭
Fiona Connor that makes sense actually lol
Will is my favorite, but honestly idc about Tessa and Will or Tessa and Jem. The best part of this series is the parabatai relationship between Will and Jem.
I'm so happy you love Jem, he is so precious!!!
Will is so bratty! Lol he won me over a lot later on but I still feel that way! Hahah Jem is bae. He is my favorite!!
leaninglights I agree. I've finished the series and he grew on me but Jem is still the best.
I am SO interested how your thoughts on Will will develop!!! I personally am someone who grew to like him but I am still like STOP PUTTING HIM ON A FUCKING THRONE!! And Jem is still my faaav!
drumsofautumn that's basically how I feel now that I've finished the series. I like him well enough but I don't get how people worship him.
I love your discussions because your brutally honest and don't just love characters because the fandom love them
I love Jem too, he was an instant favourite of mine ^_^
What I love about this love triangle is that Will and Jem care about each other so much and wouldn't want to hurt the other
AGREED
Wait, Henry and Charlotte are supposed to be 23? I've constantly been imagining them as 30 something.
I have read the first two books (about to start clockwork princess) and I still strongly dislike Will. Jem is my everything though. He's the only character I loved at the end of the first one. That doesn't mean I'm team Jem though. I don't care. I don't like Tessa either so...
I don't support Cassandra Clare anymore, but I still love the Infernal Devices books. I am just so so so so glad you like Jem (and more than Will) because he doesn't get nearly as much love as he should!
I love Jem too. He was my favorite for sure in the books. I didn't hate Will but I didn't love him as much as a lot of other readers did. The next book Clockwork Prince was my favorite of the Trilogy. Jem is just the most wonderful soul! And like you I haven't read any of the other Mortal Instruments. I may read them someday but they aren't on my must reads right now.
Yup, sums up all my feelings towards Will, even as the series goes on I still prefer Jem
100% with all you said. You actually seemed to like the book more then me (finished it 5 min ago) and I read all TMI and watch the show. Maybe my hopes were too high. But like argh Will... I doubt that his backstory will make up for how he acts in this book. I was excited to see Magnus and Church (the cat lol) cause I know them but thats it. Hoping book 2 is better
Nah Jem was always my favourite. He's so precious and adorable.
I don't know how you feel about reading TMI now, but I would highly, highly recommend The Dark Artifices, they're easily the best of her books with the most interesting characters.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the final book. That was my favorite in the series! And I'm pretty much only reading Cassandra Clare's books at this point for Jem / Tessa / Will references.
I totally understand you wanting to do that lol
Finally someone who is just as fed up with will as I am!!!! Yay!
I'm just so happy you gave it a chance! Jem is my favorite forever
I also thought the first book was pretty good, but I was disappointed by the second two books, so I'm excited to hear your thoughts on them. I'm glad you're posting reviews of this series because I know I can always hear a fair and critical review from you.
Question guys, it's been so long since I read Clockwork Angel, so I kind of forgot, but how did Jem start falling in love with Tessa? ( I mean, I remember how I fell for Jem, but yeah. Moving on...)
When they started going to the bridge together and having their long talks, that's when it started for him.
Ohh. Thanks! =D
Sam, I can say that I just loved your review. I'm a huge fan of this series and Cassie in general, and I think you are a fresh pair of eyes and I loved your opinion, you have pointed out somethings that the fans tend to ignore, especially when it comes to Will Herondale. Now I really want to re-read this trilogy. I hope you keep enjoying the series. Now talking about not reading TMI I get it. I usually recommend my friends to read TID and If they enjoy It they can read TMI, but if they don't, they can vê happy with the end of TID because It stands on its own.
Cassandra Clare is a known plagarist and cyberbully tho. Her series also started out as a Ginny/Draco fanfic and she has a weird thing for incest. That being said, I agree with you on the whole Will/Jem/Tessa thing. Although Jem read like a character straight from anime, I still like him better. Also Tessa, ugh. Yikes.
Jem is so precious in this book. So glad you like him so far. I'm excited for more discussion of this series!
I do like Will more (not by a lot at all, like Jem is definitely an awesome character I love him so much too), but I can definitely see how people would not like his character so much in the first book. That, I think, is one of the main reasons this love triangle is so good because you learn to love each of their characters and they all three love each other so much and it just makes it hard to pick! I definitely feel like I need to re-read The Infernal Devices! I loved your video so much! I love how you still state your honest opinion around such a hyped book and it's something I really appreciate!!😀😀
Jem is my heart! My true love!!! He's my favorite character from from Cassie's world. I didn't like Will until later, but he could never match my precious Jem ❤
from the start to the end, it was ALWAYS JEM for me! I absolutely LOVE him. Such an amazing character.
Will was definitely bratty! He grew on me later on in the series but there were still things he did that didn't settle well with me. Jem is a precious baby, I love him so much!
that's how I feel as well!
I liked will, and I understand why he acted the way he did, but to be honest, I think he was a total dick to Tessa. Like he was a dick to everyone, but especially Tessa, like he kept toying with her. He’d kiss her and then shove her away and try to upset her. Like I have no problem with him keeping people at arms length, but he shouldn’t have played with tessa’s emotions like that. Sorry about that little rant x
Completely felt the same way! Absolutely adore Jem, he was just so sweet and wonderful. Throughout the series I always loved him and rooted for him! Will i do like and don't mind as a love interest but i took as in if they were real people, i'd pick someone like Jem!
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on clockwork prince. I agree with a lot of your thoughts on clockwork angel!
I was so in love with will in when I read book 1, at the end of book 1, he SHATTERED my heart LOL
I agree 100 percent with you about Will and Jem. I'm sure you and I will agree with the series as a whole because I had the same thoughts about this first book.
YES, I totally agree about Jem and Will, I went into the series having very high expectations of Will, and by the end of this book, I was like ...have y'all met Jem though?? Another one of my favourite parts of this series is the relationship between Will and Jem, especially when it's more explored in the next two books. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the series!
I'm SO happy that you prefer Jem!! I don't know anyone else who does.
I'm actually surprised that so many in the comments are saying they loved him because I've only heard about Will up until this point.
People watch your videos because they feel they're likely to share your opinions, so maybe it's a personality thing. And of course almost every excited person who favours Jem will be sure to comment about it, so the comments do look a bit like an ocean of Jem appreciation :)
Oh Sam I freaking love you! I appreciate so much your opinions going at this series without reading TMI is actually quite refreshing :) I totally understand what you mean about Charlotte and Henry, I was hard for me to picture them being in their early 20s. I can't really say anything else without spoiling or hinting.... Aaaaahhh OK bye :)
I just read this series this month and Jem is my precious baby too.
I NEED TO SEE YOUR DISCUSSION VIDEO FOR CLOCKWORK PRINCESS
I love this discussion, especially when you talk about Will, so funny but so true.
haha thank you
I didn't like Will Herondale as well.
Cassandra Clare books are kinda terrible but they're so addictive. I read The Infernal Devices back to back so I'll avoid saying anything because I'll probably spoil something. I remember liking Jessamine though but I'm a bitch so maybe that's why.
I wonder how many people would like Will if he wasn't a pretty boy..
Diva
That's what I wonder too. Will is terrible. Lol, if he wasn't beautiful everyone would just 😑
I clicked immediately the instance I saw the thumbnail
in the beginning of the series i preferred Jem over Will, i was really rooting for him and i shared a lot of your views on Will; but after reading about his past i started to understand him and jem and william are really on the same level for me, i love them both equally.
I love Jem as well, he is my favourite all the way through although I really like will too, he definitely grew on me with each book. Can I ask why you're so against reading TMI? I'm just interested I'm not saying you should read it or anything...
It just doesn't appeal to me. I prefer the historical setting, which is what drew me to this series. Otherwise I wouldn't have read this one either.
Thoughts on Tomes I tend to prefer urban fantasy in a historical setting too, another really good series is The Dark Days series by Alison Goodman, it's similar to TID but set in the regency period 😀
i've never heard anyone describe will as a brat before and tbh it's the most accurate description
:)
After watching your reviews on this book it's making me want to read them again.
I hate Will Herondale, I didn't like him in the first book but the "tragic backstory" made me hate him. I love Jem so much from what I remember and he deserves the world. Finally someone who is a Jem fan, because the Will hype is so lame when you have this Precious cinnamon roll of Jem with a real tragic backstory. And he's still not a dick to people, I will defend Jem with my life
i'm so happy that you like jem, i feel like a lot of people overlook him because of will
I only read clockwork angel of this series years ago but I totally agree that Will was just such a brat and hurting people and imo it's not justified by his backstory - I'm interested to see how you feel about the series as it continues!
sweetlovebooks I've already finished the series now and yeah his backstory does not justify his behavior imo.
Yes, Jem ❤ I love him. Will is... eh. Okay.
Love the discussion. This trilogy is a favorite.
I'm currently about halfway through clockwork princess and I am so scared for this to end because I love it so much
So glad to hear that Jem is still your favorite! He's mine too! I love Will but I don't get why he's better than Jem
I am really looking forward to you reading and reviewing the next books 💖
The problem I had with this book, after reading The Mortal Instruments, is that is the exact same formula. Girl who doesn't know she's a downworlder ends up on epic adventure to save a family member and finds herself in a love triangle with two other downworlders who are complete opposites. The accessory characters are exactly the same with different names. I still like the series and the Shadowhunters world but I think Cassandra Clare could have developed the characters differently. I might have connected more with Tessa if I didn't think of her as a Victorian-era version of Clary. Since you're reading this as a stand alone series, you won't be bothered by the formulaic writing.
I NEED your clockwork prince review
soooooon
damn i cannot wait to see all of the reviews now
:)
Girl couldn't agree more about Will being a brat😂😂
Nita Bilalli
"Just wait, blah blah"
Oh my goodness! Your review is how I feel about the story and the characters. Spot on. Will (huge brat) Tessa. Jessamine. Jem (love him, I actually perked up while reading the book when he showed up), Charlotte and Henry (yes, they feel older to me mid-40s). Easy semi-quick read. But yes, I didn't see Tessa changing when she got hurt. Smart girl. Thanks for the review! Looking forward to yours of Prince and Princesses after I read them.
I only read the first book a year ago. The only thing I remember is liking the scenes between Jem and Will. Great bromance. I've been meaning to read the other books and I'm never in the mood. Maybe I'll do it now so I can watch your reviews.
I love Jem...He is my fav. I'm sure that I like you..having read the books well after the hype...like Jem most probably because of all the hype on Will
yeah Will got too much hype tbh
There's a novella in tales from the shadowhunter academy called nothing but shadows I think u can get just the e novella. It's about Will and Tessa son James herondale. If you love Jem you'll love Jamie he's a precious cup cake just like Jem. The novella kinda explores Jamie and if he does or doesn't have some kind of powers since his mother is a warlock. It's really good makes me excited for the last hours since James Herondale will be one of the main characters in that trilogy.
Complete agree, Jem is my favourite character aswell
I just knew that Jem was going to be your preferred choice. It's hard not to love him and thats probably why I was so involved with this love triangle, as you mentioned, I ended up loving every single one in the triangle. Will is my choice, but I do wonder if I would feel the same if i were to read TID for the first time at this age. To be honest, the overall arching plot with the Magister always took second place to just being back with the gang.
Your thoughts on will and jem were honestly me reading this book! I thought I was gonna like will I wanted to like will, but all I could think about was the precious jem carstairs. And will was winey and annoying and couldn't compare to the wonderful jem
So I just read Clockwork Angel. A little late I know. But I def agree with you on the Will and Jem aspect. I think everyone forgives Will for being a brat because he's soooo good looking and that's all.
I am with you on the Tess being annoying. I didn't get the hype of why Tess was so good or why everyone liked her. I agree she started getting her groove but she was still a bit irritating.
AND NOSY!!!
I feel you. When I first got both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, I actually love TID more and was glad I picked those up first and then City of Bones. The settings in Infernal Devices felt so real when I was reading it through and I like Tessa more than Clary. It makes me not want to read further after City of Bones and wait for The Last Hours (sequel series to the Infernal Devices) that follow those same characters.
Dynesius
I read TID first too and loved it more than TMI. And... there's going to be more books with Tessa? Why did I not hear about this?!
Ahh, I'm so happy you love Jem as much as I do. He doesn't get nearly enough love as Will. I don't hate Will at all, but there's so many other characters exactly like him and Jem is just refreshing to me. He's 100% my favorite character and I'm just...really happy lol. Sweet, kind characters are underrated tbh.
Listening to you talk about the the things you enjoyed about this novel, I think you might really like one of my favorite series. It's the Veronica Speedwell series, and the first book is called A Curious Beginning. It's an adult historical mystery novel set in Victorian London, with a badass female protagonist and a romantic subplot. I know you probably have a very long TBR list but if you'd like to make it a little longer I think this could be a good addition! (Not enough people love these books and I'm trying to rectify this :p )
I love Jem his my favorite 💖💖
Omg I have 800% respect for your opinions and for somewhat going into TFD without actually reading TMI.
My backgroud: read the first TMI in high-school when it came out. Felt like something was missing and just never picked up the rest. Just read the first 3 TMI, personally you can tell it's Cassandra's first writings. Now just finished Clockwork Angel and now here I am.
So thoughts? It's def a 100% retelling of City of Bones (the characters are kinda carbon copies and the main plot is, guess what, vampires.) Her background of fanfiction is like, so apparent. All over. It's alright, but I feel fanfiction has less "structure" and more "idolizing" as it's main focus. A little salty that the shadow world has so much more to it than vampires but yet it's the main focus besides Shadowhunters. Ohhkay, whatever. Cassandra got dragged for those first 3 books so I feel this is kind of her redemption. I like Tessa a hell lot more than Clary by FAR. She actually does something.
Jem is well, a gem. I liked Will's snarkiness but you're right, the brattiness really dulled anything else. Cassandra does explain them as the two different sides of a chess game so it makes since on why they're so polar opposite. Plot was pretty predictable, and I honestly wanted Camille to be the Magister! That would have been a great plot twist. The villain is not really... intimidating. And I think what really disappointed me was that you never find out the significance of the damn Clockwork Angel.
Read Lady Midnight and Lord of Shadows, you will not regret it ;)
I just read this and i agree with everything you said so hard!!!!
:)
Currently reading clockwork prince. I read the first two tmi books ages ago and just couldn't continue with that series but decided to give this one a go.
Didn't love clockwork angel... And wow totally didn't remember that Charlotte is 23 until I watched your video. No. Charlotte is 45 in my mind. Crazy! Although I have to say in YA I generally just picture all the characters whatever age I feel like they are since so rarely they act their age (especially in fantasy.) So whatever age the author says they are doesn't bother me.
I watched your spoiler-free review when you posted it, but I just finically read Clockwork Angel. I agree with everything you said in this video, except that I will be reading the rest of the series (The Mortal Instruments & The Dark Artifices) 😹, but anyway, great video!!
Okay I love Jem (and maybe like .5 better than Will if I had to choose)...but for me I cannot love Jem without loving Will too. They are just two halves of a whole. You cannot have one without the other.
You are going to love Clockwork Prince and trust me...Will will grow on you
Victoria Alfieris I've already read it and he didn't really grow on me until Clockwork Princess and he's still not my fave or anything.
Thoughts on Tomes glad to know he isn't haha. Jim will forever be my favorite I don't understand why people love will so much
I go back forth between Jem and Will. You would think I would lean more towards Will, because he's well read and I usually like male characters that act like jerks but are softies deep down, but I lean more towards. He's a precious little puppy you want to take home.
exactly.
I usually have very similar taste/thoughts as you and its interesting here cause I love Mortal instruments but just cant stand Infernal Devices... I do agree on the Will/Jem thing. Will is not someone I really like, but I liked Jem. Ive read Clockwork Angel and then just gave up a third into Clockwork Prince.
Sofie Johansson aw that's a shame because halfway through Clockwork Prince is when I really felt the series took off.
I might try to give it another shot then. I do trust your taste in books :)
Sofie Johansson it really depends on what you read them for. The plot isn't particularly strong with these but I read them for the character interactions and relationships.
I recommend you read a book called Tell the Wolves I'm Home.
I've seen that one and been interested!
jem is my favorite too!!! spot on when i read it will was so hyped { still my boy } but it made it hard to like him.
So, let's see how I comment this book since referencing future ones. This is, without a doubt, my favorite Cassandra Clare's series, and I was lucky enough to read each book as soon as they came out, so I loved this series before the hype and I fell in love with Will Herondale without knowing it was a thing. The thing is, I fell in love with both Will and the trilogy since book one, but I didn't LOVE THEM since then. I loved Victorian London, and all the literature references, and Magnus Bane (who I already knew) and Will was exactly my type of bad boy. I completely overlooked Jem, because yes, I liked him and yes, he was nice, but he didn't caught my attention (and I judge myself SO MUCH for that. Jem is so good and so perfect and his friendship with Will is everything).
Honestly, I really didn't expected you to like Will since book one (I had the feeling you would gravitate more towards Jem) and most importanly, I didn't expected you to love the trilogy since the very beginning, specially with (but not only because of)all the hype, so I really understand your opinion about everything. I can't wait to see how your thoughts progress with the other two book.
Oh, and yes, Charlotte is at least a thirty something in my mind.
Jem is my baby 🤧💜 I love him so much!
Of the Cassandra Clare novels, these are my favorites. Had I only read these, I wouldn't feel like I was missing out. Let's talk no spoiler Will... definitely a brat. Even with the foreshadowing of a bad past, even knowing that outcome, he was still a pig headed brat in this one. I am glad to see you loving Jem as much as I did. He really is one of those precious characters you just want to love and squish their cheeks. I am looking forward to more of your thoughts as you progress in the series.
Charlotte felt sooooooo old. I am also nooot so obsessed with Will
Hanna Bella I still struggle to picture her as the correct age.
I love Jem, too. And I was not really into Will as everybody does because he's so insensitive. I am hoping for his character development in the next books.
I'm in love with Jem he is also my precious bean😭😭😭
But dw about the other series they're not necessary to read tid, ppl only that bc they're fangirling about the links to other series
I loved Will from the start and Jem snuck up on me. I love both though.
Yes, Jem! He's so kind and wonderful, but everyone loves Will. I actually didn't pick up on the Jem side of the love triangle until book 2. I'm as oblivious as Tessa XD
I just finished reading Clockwork Angel for the first time today, I'm SO glad I found this vid. I was anticipating Will since everyone and their mother was head over heels for him...but no one warned me about Jem, the most precious and kindest boy who deserves everything good. I agree with you, Will is really bratty it was pretty ridiculous. The plot did seem predictable, and I hope that Jessamine's character is built up more, she seemed super bland to me. I'm looking forward to your Clockwork Prince review!
Thank you!! I love Jem 😍😍😍
Have you read Throne of Glass?
Corey Ogle yes
Jem is precious to me as well! He's definitely my favorite throughout the whole series. I just love him! I finished The Infernal Devices earlier this month and loved all of it. I would definitely say this is the series worth reading. I've been forcing myself through The Mortal Instruments and I can say it has NOT been worth it! Each book has put me in a reading slump because of how much disappointment I've felt from each book and the characters are not nearly as lovable as TID's.
Who is your favorite character out of this series?
Corey Ogle Jem, Tessa, and Magnus are pretty much tied.
Lmao I hated will in the first book, but babe, the next two books, I fell in love. I love him a lot. And I love Jem as well! He's so precious! I just love jem and wills relationship as well!!
Not surprised at all. I never hated Will but he was never my favorite. JEM FOR LIFE.
Thinking back to when I first read this book (a long time ago, I've reread the series several times since then), I felt similarly to you about this book and each of the characters lol. Not completely, I suppose, because I had read TMI before this one, but since this can really be it's own entity idk how much of a difference that made. I def felt the same about Will after the first one. I wanted to like him but at the end of this book I was like...wow. Not okay dude. Tbh after my first read-through of the series, though, he became my favorite for a while. Well, I guess favorite of the main three, there are a few side characters I think I liked even more at one point. Now, I love them all. I feel I've reached that point where I'm past the early fan phase and I'm into the appreciating the series and the characters for all that they are and all that they've come to mean to me phase. Plus, Jem became even more important to me over time as I reread the books, in part due to some personal life events. It was really interesting to see this book through the POV of someone who was introduced to it though very different circumstances. I'm looking forward to your take on the rest of the series!
It's really more explained in the mortal instruments series that shadowhunters feel more grown up because they had to be grownup, if that makes any sense? I know you said you wasn't going to read the 6 books but it really explains the culture of shadowhunters more in that series! Shadowhunters are in battle all the time, fighting demons and Downworlders even when they are young (as teenagers) and it makes it highly possible for them to die almost everyday. So they are almost forced to grow up in that sense, it's their culture as Nephilim.
Can't wait to see what you think of the other books! Good video, I love your book discussions
Will is a brat but he's my brat. 😂😂😂 I ❤️ him.
Cassie Hall same girl 😂😂💙💙
I had a lot of the same opinions as you when I first read this book