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Clockwork Prince
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Clockwork Prince
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Clockwork Prince is a 2011 novel written by Cassandra Clare. It is the second novel in The Infernal Devices trilogy and is written through the perspective of the protagonist, Tessa Gray, who lives at the London Institute among Shadowhunters, a group of half-angel/half-human beings called Nephilim. After the recent failings of Charlotte, the head of the London Institute, the Council of Shadowhunters begin to question her ability to lead. Now Tessa and her friends must find Mortmain (an evil industrialist bent on destroying all the Nephilim in the world) or risk losing control of the Institute.

Key Information

The book also contains many quotes referring to famous pieces of Victorian literature, for example, Alfred Tennyson's The Palace of Art, Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, and the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

A sequel to Clockwork Prince, titled Clockwork Princess, was released on March 19, 2013.[1]

Plot

[edit]

After the events of the previous book, Charlotte Branwell, accompanied by her husband Henry, Tessa Gray, Will Herondale, Jem Carstairs, and Jessamine Lovelace, are called to a Shadowhunters' Council meeting to give testimony regarding her failure to capture Axel Mortmain, the leader of the Pandemonium Club. Benedict Lightwood, who holds a grudge against Granville Fairchild, Charlotte's father, persuades Consul Wayland to give Charlotte an ultimatum: unless she is able to capture Mortmain within two weeks, she will have to resign as head of the London Institute.

The Institute begins searching for Mortmain and discovers that the Clave killed his adoptive warlock father, John Shade, the creator of the automatons, and mother, Anne, before the Accords were signed. Charlotte suspects that Mortmain began a revenge campaign against the Clave after he unsuccessfully filed for Reparations. She sends Tessa, Will, and Jem to question Aloysius Starkweather of the York Institute, the Shadowhunter who executed Shade. While in York, Will finds out that his family, including his younger sister Cecily, are living in Ravenscar Manor, owned by Mortmain. An automaton attacks the trio and warns Will to stay put unless he wants to see his loved ones killed.

Upon returning to London empty-handed, Will confesses to Magnus Bane that he ran away from home and emotionally shut himself off from everyone to escape a curse caused by a demon he unwittingly released from his father's Pyxis box. The demon told Will that he placed a curse on Will such that all who love him will die, a curse that was reinforced when Will's older sister Ella died the morning after the demon was released. As Will's mental state deteriorates, he stops returning home, and Magnus mails a letter for Tessa to search for him. She and Jem find a drugged Will in an ifrit den and carry him back home. Will explains the next day during breakfast that he found information about werewolves eating yin fen, the drug Jem depends to survive. Upon getting a negative response from Woolsey Scott, head of London's werewolf pack, Charlotte suspects that Mortmain hired rogue werewolves to work on his automatons.

Gideon becomes close with Sophie throughout their training and reveals to Tessa the reason why Benedict hates the Fairchilds: his uncle Silas committed suicide after his forbidden relationship with his parabatai was outed by Granville, leading his mother, Barbara, to die of despair. Sophie steals an invitation to a ball held in the Lightwood manor from Jessamine, giving Tessa the opportunity to attend a ball disguised as her. Accompanied by Will, the two learn that Benedict is in a relationship with a demon, and is conspiring with Mortmain and Nate to bring down Charlotte. At the Manor, Will spots Marbas, the demon who had cursed him, and takes off after him.

Charlotte summons the Silent Brothers to detain Jessamine and interrogate her using the Mortal Sword, after which she is imprisoned in Silent City. After making up to each other, Tessa and Jem reach Jessamine's prison and persuade her to betray Nate by arranging for a meeting. However, Nate figures out the plan and brings an automaton to even out the battle. He tells Tessa that they are actually cousins. Tessa successfully tricks the automaton to turn on Nate and fatally stab him, but Will is gravely injured in the process. Before dying, Nate apologizes to Tessa and tells her to wear her angel pendant no matter what. After Will recovers, he goes to face Marbas. To his shock, Marbas tells Will that there was never any curse, and Ella died simply because she was poisoned by him while defending Will.

Just two days before the deadline to capture Mortmain, Sophie relays Charlotte information she gained from Gideon about the truth of his mother and uncle's deaths: Barbara Lightwood had contracted demon pox from Benedict—thanks to his interaction with demons—and committed suicide because of it, while Silas' suicide had nothing to do with the Fairchild's at all. Charlotte uses this information to blackmail Benedict into dropping his challenge, but Gideon is banished from the Lightwood manor, finding refuge in the London Institute. Will reveals the truth of his curse and confesses his love to Tessa, only for her to tell him that she had accepted Jem's marriage proposal. The two announce their engagement while at the party celebrating Charlotte's acquittal, during which she also reveals that she is pregnant with Henry's child. Out of nowhere, Cecily Herondale (Will's younger sister) visits the Institute and demands that she be trained as a Shadowhunter.

Reception

[edit]

In The Guardian a reviewer gushed over the book and the author commenting "[t]hank you Cassie for another series that made me more than happy and fulfilled."[2]

In addition Kirkus Reviews writes: "this sequel to Clockwork Angel (2010) pits gorgeous, attractively broken teens against a menacing evil."[3]

References

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Clockwork Prince

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Clockwork Prince is a fantasy by American author , published on December 6, 2011, by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of . It serves as the second installment in trilogy, a prequel series to Clare's , set in a magical version of Victorian where humans coexist with supernatural beings known as . The story centers on Tessa Gray, an American teenager who discovers her ability to shapeshift and is pursued by the enigmatic Magister, a villain intent on harnessing her powers for his mechanized army of clockwork creatures to wage war against the . Tessa finds temporary refuge at the London Institute, a sanctuary for , where she forms deep bonds with the brooding warrior Will Herondale and the gentle, ailing Jem Carstairs, both of whom are parabatai—sworn warrior brothers bound by sacred oaths. As the plot unfolds, Tessa, Will, and Jem embark on perilous journeys across , from the foggy moors of to the shadowy underbelly of , unraveling secrets about the Magister's vengeful motives tied to the ' past while confronting betrayals and internal conflicts within their enclave. The novel explores themes of love, identity, loyalty, and the clash between technology and magic, blending elements of romance, adventure, and gothic horror in a richly detailed alternate history. Key characters include the authoritative Charlotte Fairchild, head of the Institute, and the duplicitous Nate Gray, Tessa's brother, whose actions heighten the stakes of the unfolding conspiracy. Clare's narrative delves into the emotional complexities of her protagonists, particularly the forbidden tensions in the love triangle between Tessa, Will, and Jem, against a backdrop of demonic threats and societal prejudices among the Downworlders—vampires, warlocks, and werewolves. Upon release, Clockwork Prince debuted as a #1 New York Times bestseller and received widespread acclaim for its intricate world-building, character development, and page-turning suspense, earning a starred review from VOYA for surpassing expectations in the middle book of the trilogy. With over 500 pages, it features illustrations by on the cover and has been adapted into audiobooks narrated by actors like and , contributing to the series' global popularity within the broader .

Background

Series context

Clockwork Prince serves as the second novel in trilogy, a prequel series to within Cassandra Clare's broader . Set in 1878 Victorian , the trilogy blends aesthetics with , centering on —human warriors marked with who protect the world from demons—alongside Downworlders, including vampires, werewolves, faeries, and warlocks. Published on December 6, 2011, Clockwork Prince follows Clockwork Angel (2010) and precedes Clockwork Princess (2013), advancing the trilogy's narrative while deepening the 's lore through explorations of character origins and pivotal artifacts. The series establishes interconnections across the , offering foundational backstory to events and lineages in through subtle references that enhance the overarching mythology without revealing later developments. At its core, the trilogy traces protagonist Tessa Gray's evolution from a vulnerable outsider possessing unique abilities to an essential ally in the ' fight, unfolding against escalating conflicts with mechanized demonic threats embodied by .

Development

Cassandra Clare drew inspiration for Clockwork Prince from Victorian literature, particularly Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, on which The Infernal Devices series is very loosely based, capturing the era's social contrasts and emotional depth. She has long admired the Victorian period, having focused on its literature during college, which influenced the series' atmospheric setting of 19th-century London. Elements from the Brontës also appear, notably in chapter titles sourced from Charlotte Brontë's poetry, evoking themes of secrecy and emotional restraint. Additionally, steampunk aesthetics were integrated to merge historical realism with fantastical machinery, thereby expanding the Shadowhunter universe beyond its modern origins in The Mortal Instruments. Following the success of Clockwork Angel, Clare drafted Clockwork Prince amid tight deadlines, though production was delayed from September to December due to her sustaining injuries in an accident, including broken ribs and a wrist fracture. She emphasized creating a "perfect" , distinct from typical "V-shaped" dynamics, to heighten emotional stakes while escalating the central antagonist's threat. Key authorial choices included delving into Will Herondale's concealed family background and broadening Tessa Gray's supernatural abilities, which required careful pacing to maintain narrative tension. In author notes shared on her , Clare detailed the chapter titles' origins in Victorian and , such as Algernon Charles Swinburne's works for romantic interludes and Shakespeare's for vengeful motifs, underscoring recurring ideas like hidden truths and the past's lingering influence. The cover artwork prominently features Temple Bar, symbolizing pivotal locations and character arcs tied to Jem Carstairs. The clockwork motif, central to the title and automatons, embodies themes of fate and inevitability, mirroring the characters' inescapable destinies within the Shadowhunter world.

Publication history

Domestic release

Clockwork Prince, installment in Cassandra Clare's trilogy, was released domestically in the United States on December 6, 2011, by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of . The edition spans 528 pages and carries the 978-1-4169-7588-5, with an initial print run of 750,000 copies and a recommended retail price of $19.99. The U.S. cover art, designed by , prominently features a portrait of Jem Carstairs holding his jade cane, set against the backdrop of London's Temple Bar on , incorporating intricate clockwork motifs that evoke the elements of the series. To capitalize on the success of the preceding Clockwork Angel, the domestic launch included a multi-city book tour from December 6 to 12, 2011, with signings and events in U.S. cities including , , Bethesda (near ), Raleigh, Greenville, , and Nashville, fostering engagement with enthusiastic fan communities through Q&A sessions and exclusive previews.

International publications

The international release of Clockwork Prince began with the edition on December 6, 2011, published by , marking the first major non-U.S. launch shortly after the domestic hardcover. This edition included special content such as a bonus letter from the character Will Herondale, available in print copies across the UK, , , and markets. and received near-simultaneous releases in late 2011 through Walker Books Australia, aligning with the UK timeline to capitalize on regional demand for the series. Translations followed rapidly, with the book eventually appearing in over 30 languages worldwide as part of the broader . In , the Spanish edition titled Príncipe Mecánico was published on March 20, 2012, by , an imprint of Planeta. The German translation, Clockwork Prince: Chroniken der Schattenjäger 2, was released on July 25, 2012, by Arena Verlag. saw its version, Le Prince mécanique, published on January 2, 2014, by PKJ (Pocket Jeunesse). Asian markets, including via Spring International, began rolling out localized editions in 2012, often with promotional tie-ins to the growing popularity of fantasy series. Regional editions featured notable variations to appeal to local audiences, including distinct that emphasized the and Victorian elements of the story. For instance, European markets like and often used more ornate designs with intricate clockwork motifs and metallic tones, contrasting the simpler U.S. aesthetic, while formats ranged from hardcovers to subsequent reissues. Digital editions emerged later, with ebooks becoming available in multiple languages starting around 2012 through platforms like Amazon and Kobo, expanding accessibility in international markets.

Characters

Main characters

Tessa Gray serves as the central protagonist of Clockwork Prince, a 16-year-old American warlock possessing the rare ability to shapeshift into other humans and access their memories and thoughts. Throughout the novel, she navigates a profound , delving into the mysteries of her parentage and the origins of her powers, which challenge her sense of self and place within the Shadowhunter world. Her growing agency is evident as she actively seeks understanding of her abilities, while her romantic entanglements with Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs deepen, creating emotional tension amid her personal growth. Will Herondale is a brooding, 17-year-old Shadowhunter characterized by his sharp and self-destructive tendencies, which mask the trauma stemming from a perceived family curse that he believes causes the death of anyone who loves him. In Clockwork Prince, his backstory unfolds as he reveals this curse, highlighting his internal conflicts between his duties as a and his desires for and connection, leading to moments of vulnerability that humanize his otherwise guarded persona. His noble heart emerges more clearly, contrasting his initial standoffish demeanor and reputation. Jem Carstairs, Will's parabatai and a gentle 17-year-old Shadowhunter, is depicted as kind and devoted, relying on a jade-topped cane due to his chronic illness caused by an addiction to the demon drug yin fen, which sustains him but acts as a "" on his lifespan. His arc in the novel emphasizes his deepening bond with , whom he educates about Shadowhunter customs and the Clave, while his unwavering loyalty to the London Institute and his friendship with Will underscore his motivations despite his physical frailty. Charlotte Branwell functions as the determined head of the London Institute, a capable female leader married to Henry Branwell, who faces significant political pressures from the Clave questioning her authority following recent events. Her motivations center on safeguarding the Institute's residents, including , while proving her competence amid challenges to her position, revealing a more multifaceted portrayal of her resolve and strategic acumen.

Supporting characters

In Clockwork Prince, Axel Mortmain, known as the Magister, serves as the primary , a vengeful industrialist who harnesses clockwork technology to build an army of automatons aimed at eradicating the , thereby escalating the central conflict through his manipulative schemes. Benedict Lightwood acts as a scheming secondary , challenging the leadership of the Institute by leveraging political intrigue within the Shadowhunter community and secretly aligning with Mortmain's agenda, which heightens internal tensions among the protagonists' allies. Among the supporting allies, Henry Branwell, the eccentric inventor and co-head of the London Institute, contributes inventive gadgets and scientific expertise that propel investigative subplots forward, often providing crucial tools despite his absent-minded demeanor. Jessamine Lovelace, a young and rebellious Shadowhunter residing at the Institute, advances themes of through her secretive outings and reluctance to fully embrace her duties, complicating group dynamics. Collins, the Institute's perceptive servant gifted with the Sight, supports the main efforts by assisting in daily operations and beginning her training as a Shadowhunter, while developing personal connections that enrich relational subplots. Lightwood, Benedict's eldest son and a skilled fighter returning from abroad, emerges as a reluctant ally who trains and in combat, bridging familial rivalries and fostering tentative alliances within the Shadowhunter ranks. In minor roles, Cecily Herondale is introduced as Will Herondale's younger sister, bringing familial ties that connect to the Herondale lineage and expand the personal stakes in the ongoing narrative. Downworlder Magnus Bane makes brief appearances, leveraging his abilities and knowledge of ancient texts like the Book of the White to aid the Institute in subtle ways that link to the larger Shadowhunter lore.

Story and analysis

Plot summary

In the aftermath of the events in Clockwork Angel, Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, faces an ultimatum from the Clave: she has two weeks to capture the escaped , also known as the Magister, or lose her position. Desperate to uncover 's plans, Tessa Gray, Will Herondale, and Jem Carstairs embark on investigations that reveal the Magister's deep-seated revenge against the , stemming from the death of his parents at their hands during his childhood. Their pursuits lead them to the Lightwood estate, where they discover scandalous secrets about Benedict Lightwood's involvement with , and into the faerie realms, where deceptive alliances and enchanted encounters provide crucial clues about the Magister's clockwork army. As the trio delves deeper, personal revelations strain their relationships and intensify the between Tessa, Will, and Jem. Will's long-held belief in a that dooms anyone he loves is exposed as a fabrication, stemming from a traumatic childhood incident rather than supernatural interference, allowing him to confront his emotions toward Tessa. Jem, grappling with his own mortality due to his , proposes to Tessa, who accepts out of love and a desire to seize fleeting happiness. Meanwhile, Jessamine Lovelace's betrayal comes to light when she is discovered aiding under the guise of loyalty to her brother Nate; she is captured and confined after her deception is uncovered during a faerie interrogation. The narrative builds to a climax with the exposure of Benedict Lightwood's treachery through evidence of his demonic pox and alliance with , forcing him to withdraw his challenge to Charlotte's leadership, while uses her shape-shifting abilities to impersonate Jessamine and lure Nate into a trap, resulting in a confrontation with a automaton, Nate's death amid an explosive ambush, and Will sustaining injuries protecting her. Charlotte secures her position at the Institute, revealed to be pregnant with Henry's child, but the victory is bittersweet as remains at large, hinting at his grander scheme to unleash an army on the in the trilogy's continuation. Will's sister Cecily arrives seeking training, adding to the unresolved tensions. Each chapter opens with epigraphs drawn from Victorian literature and poetry, such as works by and , which frame the ensuing events and echo the era's themes of , fate, and mechanization.

Themes

Clockwork Prince explores the complexities of through the central involving Gray, Will Herondale, and Jem , where unrequited affection and duty-bound relationships serve as metaphors for the tension between personal choice and predetermined fate. The narrative delves into Will's romantically enchanting yet restrained for , complicated by his fierce loyalty to Jem, highlighting how can be both a source of strength and profound emotional conflict. Central to the novel's motifs is the theme of identity and transformation, exemplified by Tessa's ability, which acts as an for self-discovery amid Victorian-era constraints and societal expectations for women. Tessa's uncertain status as a potential underscores her internal struggle to define her true self, while Will's self-imposed "curse"—a facade masking deep vulnerability—reveals the emotional barriers characters erect to protect their identities. Loyalty and permeate the story, particularly through the politics of the Shadowhunter Institute and the Clave's underlying corruption, which expose fractures in trust within a divided . Personal deceptions and s, including those from within the , amplify the theme, as characters navigate suspicion and the bonds of parabatai that demand unwavering devotion. The tension between steampunk mechanization and magical elements critiques industrialization's encroachment on the organic world of the Shadowhunters, with the clockwork army representing artificial threats that challenge traditional supernatural hierarchies. This contrast underscores a broader motif of versus preservation in a fantastical Victorian framework. Victorian influences are woven throughout, emphasizing social constraints, class divisions, and gothic undertones that accentuate themes of otherness and isolation in a rigidly structured society. The detailed depiction of Victorian evokes a of historical immersion, where supernatural elements highlight the era's undercurrents of repression and otherworldly intrigue.

Reception

Critical reception

Clockwork Prince received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its engaging blend of action, romance, and intricate world-building in a Victorian setting. described it as a "purple page turner," highlighting the betrayal, mayhem, and clockwork monstrosities that propel the plot, while noting the supporting characters as unusually well-developed. School Library Journal commended the richly detailed Victorian populated with demons, , and vampires, emphasizing Tessa Gray's growth from a naive to a strong young woman. Critics also appreciated the emotional depth added by the central involving , Will Herondale, and Jem Carstairs, though some found it melodramatic and predictable. characterized it as "surprisingly tasty icing on this cupcake of a melodramatic ," with 's shifting affections creating tension amid the threats. The was recognized for its impact in fantasy, achieving #1 New York Times bestseller status upon release. It also won the Teen's Choice Book of the Year award at the 2012 Children's Choice Book Awards. Comparatively, reviewers often favored Clockwork Prince over its predecessor Clockwork Angel for its escalated stakes and deeper character revelations, with the romantic tension drawing nods to classic influences like Jane Austen's intricate social dynamics.

Commercial performance

Clockwork Prince debuted at number one on The New York Times Children's Series bestseller list upon its release in December 2011 and maintained strong positions on the list for several weeks thereafter. It also achieved top rankings on other major charts, including the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. The novel contributed significantly to the commercial success of trilogy, with the series reaching a global in-print total of six million copies by early 2013. The book's performance boosted overall trilogy sales, paving the way for expanded merchandise such as collector's editions and boxed sets. Fan events, book tours, and online communities further amplified its market impact, fostering sustained engagement within the broader franchise. In the long term, Clockwork Prince has seen ongoing popularity through reprints and inclusion in comprehensive box sets, with notable sales spikes linked to adaptations like the television series (2016–2019), which heightened visibility across Cassandra Clare's interconnected universe. By 2023, Clare's , including , had sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

References

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