My Reading Frenzy

Clockwork Princess

I LOVED Cassandra Clare's latest in The Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Princess.  I do not remember liking the other two, Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince as much.  I really loved her other series Mortal Instruments  until I got to the 4th in the trilogy (Yep, that's what I meant, 4th in the trilogy.) City of Fallen Angels which I did not like at all.  As much as I loved this latest installment, I hope it will not be continued in a 4th book.  I'd like to see Clare write the story of the characters in between the generations presented in the two series. 

The reason I have loved these books is because Clare has done a wonderful job of world building.  In the shadows of the world, live the Nephilim or Shadowhunters, placed here on Earth to protect us all from Darkworlders.  Living in this different world separates the Shadowhunters from mortals (generally), but brings them in contact with warlocks, werewolves, vampires, and demons.  This is a completely original world that did not remind me of anything else.  I give high praise to a book that does that. 

I just read on Clare's website that there will be a 3rd series, but it will take place in the world of today rather than bridging the gap between the first two series....oh well, maybe someday. 

In Clockwork Princess I really could not pick a favorite character.  I like Will for his chilly exterior that covers deep and passionate feelings of love, friendship, and duty.  I love Tessa because she is a bold woman who has suffered greatly making her compassionate and strong.  Sophie, while a servant at the Institute, is humorous, and kind, and fiesty.  Then there is Jem, the heart of the story and the Institute.  I just really like them all.

Clare has a great way with the love stories, making each different, but there is still little mystery how they will all turn out.  The family tree on the inside of the dust jacket was a give-away, but I really appreciated knowing how all the names I know from the Mortal Instruments series link to the people in the Victorian series.   You see how intricately she has woven her stories.  Brilliant!  Despite the age of the characters, these just do not feel like YA novels.  They are simply tales of adventure, heroism in the face of evil, and love for any reader. 

Eleanor and Park

I really, really liked this love story.  Though I admit that at first I was not sure it was really a YA novel.  First of all it takes place in 1986 (which practically makes it historical fiction) and is filled with references, musically mainly, that no young adult is going to understand.  After finishing, I accept that those references do not really inhibit understanding.  What really matters is the relationship between Eleanor and Park.  Eleanor has lived a difficult life.  Her mother is married to a dirtbag.  They live in a hovel.  She shares a tiny bedroom with three brothers and a sister.  There is no door on the bathroom.  All of this has given Eleanor what one might call a crusty demeanor.  Her first day on the school bus after having recently returned to live with her family, she meets Park who saves her by offering her a seat on the bus.  Their romances moves slooooowly after this.  So slowly as to be frustrating to a reader, but completely realistically given the circumstances. 

Park's home situation is heaven compared to Eleanor's.  Park's biggest issue is in being bi-racial; half Korean, half caucasian.  In Omaha in 1986 this is more difficult for him that it would be today.  He feels detached from both cultures and not sure where he belongs.  He also has an ex-military father who wishes his son were more of a "man." Though when it is important, such as the time Park needs to defend Eleanor from unkindess, he steps up in a way no one would label as "unmanly."

The story is told alternately by Eleanor and Park which is a sometimes annoying storytelling method as it has become somewhat too prevelent for my tastes.  It is also makes the reader want to scream at the two as we know that at moments Eleanor and Park are feeling and thinking similarly but because they hesitate to share misunderstandings ensue.  However, when so many adults are not adept at communicating with each other these teens actually do pretty well. 

Despite some of my misgivings at the beginning I would not hesitate to recommend this to teen readers.  I also think readers of my age group who were teens in 1986 would enjoy the story and find the references nostalgic.