Book Review: The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare (but mostly me trashing your fav series)

Hey Pals!! So, today I’ll be reviewing one of the most beloved trilogies out there, which is none other than The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare!

This is a spin off series of the The Mortal Instruments, set in the same world in the past. I read it a while ago, but finished the final book fairly recently and I’m here to share my thoughts, so let’s get started!

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Synopsis:

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them.

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What I liked:

The writing style was pretty good and straightforward. The books were very readable. Mostly, I liked being back in the Shadowhunter world because it was a world that was very familiar to me. I had read the first three books in The Mortal Instruments and it felt good to read something that felt maybe a little bit like home.

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Favourite Characters:

I do think I like Charlotte, because she kind of represents how women can hold a whole group together and be fierce and kind at the same time. I also, obviously, like Will. But I’m not head over heels for him either, I just think he’s pretty fine, with all the sacrifice he does for both Jem and Tessa. Except he got kinda all sad and stuff as the books progressed, but he’s still a nice character…

And that’s about it for what I liked 🫠.

The first two books were good. I liked the characters and everything, even the plot, and even the love triangle. However, my dislike for the third book overshadows everything.

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Why I dislike Clockwork Princess (spoilers ahead):

I have to say I didn’t really like the way the series ended. This might be an unpopular opinion because most people seem to love the final book but I kinda struggled my way through it. It’s not that it was bad, it’s just that it was so melancholic.

Every storyline seemed to somehow cut to the love triangle between Will, Jem and Tessa. And I didn’t like reading it one bit. It just kept ruining my mood. Everybody was so freaking sad all the time!

I didn’t like Jem proposing to Tessa and dooming her to be a widow. I mean sure, he’s about to die and he’s barely thinking logically, but if he loves her that much, he should at least think about what kind of life he’s gonna make Tessa bear once he dies 😵.

I know all the #jemrules fans would wanna kill me when they hear it, but I mean, think about it. Would you do that to someone you’re desperately in love with?

Not to mention Will and Tessa making out so soon after the supposed death of Jem– I mean…, I just…I know they were gonna die and everything but it just felt wrong and I am never gonna be over it 😭✋.

And why does Tessa not have a freaking personality?! Except that she reads books and acts too mature for her age, using bold intelligible sentences like she’s an oh-so-amazing queen, she’s as dull as…um….*tries to think of a valid simile* as dull as a…a…History project!

Yes, got it, finally. I was afraid my English had started deceiving me. Hope that never happens. How tragic would such a day be~ oh the horror!!!

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More things I disliked

Yeah I’m sorry, I don’t remember liking much in this series. I do know the first two books were just really good (though a bit too similar to The Mortal Instruments) but my thoughts have kinda blurred.

Let’s talk about everybody being a pair… Again! I’m not surprised, that’s what Cassandra Clare does. But the pairs should feel like side lovers or couples. I mean, not every pair should be intense, you know? I mean…there shouldn’t be that many pairs, okay?!

And is this a thing that just because the books are set way back in time the characters simply cannot converse in normal language and have to use phrases and profound dialogues all. the. dang. time? Like yeah, I get the generation gap and stuff, but it felt like whenever anybody spoke, they just had to say something quotable, otherwise the book would defy all laws of 1878.

I truly would’ve liked the book more had it focused on the plot. Or not. I mean the plot wasn’t all that engaging either. Like I said, the storyline is pretty much the same in the first two books.

Another thing is once again, the love triangle. You know, towards the end, according to the author, we are supposed to believe that it is okay to love both and have both as well. There was a line that went something like- I love both of them equally, for I could not have loved Will without loving Jem and in loving Will I am loving Jem and I could not have known I loved Jem if I didn’t love Will bla bla bla bla-

And I’m here like-

Preposterous! That’s no excuse for getting to live with two boys, stop being so dumb, Tessa!

Phew, anyway…

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Rating:

I’m not gonna let my dislike for the final book overshadow all my thoughts. I’ll give the series a decent 3 stars because the first two books were enjoyable enough. I don’t recommend it though, unless you are a diehard fan of the Shadowhunters world and love reading anything similar, or if you’re new to Cassandra Clare and want to try out her books.

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That’s it for me. Have you read this trilogy? What are your thoughts on it? Are you planning to pick it up anytime soon? Who is your favourite character? Let me know in the comments 😀.

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