The Infernal Devices, the Complete Collection (Boxed Set): Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess Paperback – Box set, September 1, 2015

The Infernal Devices series is a prequel trilogy to the Mortal Instruments series. It takes place in Victorian London in the 1800s. I’ve read this trilogy and the 5 books that have been released in Mortal instruments and I have to say, while I love them all, the Infernal Devices trilogy is my favorite. The characters are so well developed and complex, their stories are compelling and watching them interact with each other is exciting, heart-breaking, thrilling – I was seriously addicted.Tessa Gray is an American who comes to London in search of her brother following the death of her only remaining relative, her Aunt. Upon her arrival, she is kidnapped and introduced to a world that defies everything she once believed. Magic, demons, warlocks come to life in terrifying ways and she comes to terms with her own role in this world – she is more than human.After being held captive and tortured by two dark warlocks, Tessa is rescued by Shadowhunter Will Herondale and taken back to The Institute, where she and the Shadowhunters try to unravel the mystery around her kidnapping, her abilities, and the identity of The Magister, whose sinister plan includes marrying Tessa and using her powers for his own purposes.Will Herondale, a young and courageous Shadowhunter, has his own troubled past. Exceedingly good-looking, witty and very well-read, his charisma is evident, but some dark secret drives self-destructive and emotionally unavailable behaviors. The only person that seems to get through to him is his best friend Jem.Jem Carstairs is also a young Shadowhunter. He came to the institute as orphan, his parents having been killed by a demon and he himself afflicted by that same demon with a deadly addiction. A kind, gentle, measured, but extremely passionate musician, Jem is the rock that keeps Will from self-destructing. While not as smooth and traditionally good-looking as Will, Jem’s beauty is enhanced by his kind nature and gentlemanly behavior. The two boys are linked as parabatai, their souls tied together with ancient magic.As Will, Jem and the rest of the Shadowhunters work to decipher The Magister’s plans, the fabric of Tessa’s identity will unravel. These characters will struggle and blossom before your eyes, and the plot will keep you at the edge of your seat. Impossible love relationships, passion… this series has it all. I’m still re-reading my favorite parts and checking Cassandra’s site for bonus material.Buy all three together. You’ll save a few dollars and you won’t regret it!

Another series by Cassandra Clare. The final book in The Infernal Devices came out on the 19th. It was called Clockwork Princess. I will do a review for it alone later. This series contains adult content. This series is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series also by Cassandra Clare.Oh my, this series is amazing! It has made me laugh, cry, scream, and everything in between. It's SO good! The story is very good. And I really enjoyed reading it. The characters are well-developed. The plot is phenomenal. And the book is the perfect mix of hilarious, action, romance, and heartbreaking. Especially the last book, Clockwork Princess. Warning, these books will make you cry. I know they made me sob. I was so sad that it ended, but it was very bittersweet. The books take place in Victorian era London, which makes it all the more enjoyable. The backdrop is different from that of my usual books, which is cool.The main character is Tessa Grey. Tessa is smart, funny, and loves to read. As a book-a-holic, I can totally appreciate that. She's strong in a special way. And although she doesn't know it at first, she's very special. In the first book, Clockwork Angel, she comes to London from America. Her older brother Nathaniel came to London in search of work and just sent her a letter saying he had found it and she could join him. But when she arrives, she's kidnapped by two women known as the Dark Sisters. She is told she has powers and is trained (AKA tortured) into learning how to use them. Then, along comes a shadowhunter (a race that is descended from the angel Raziel and hunts demons). His name is Will Herondale and he rescues Tessa from the Dark Sisters. Will is handsome, funny, and hates ducks (you find out why in the book). He is a true hero, even though he doesn't realize it. He may not be a knight in shining armor, but he is the one you want to show up, for he can crush the bad guys to smithereens. His best friend is Jem Carstairs. Jem is slowly dying from demon poison and has been for years. Jem and Will fight together and love each-other as brothers. Will brings Tessa back to the London Institute (a place where shadowhunters live), where she meets Jem, along with Charlotte, who runs the Institute, Charlotte's husband Henry, Jessamine, and the maid Sophie. She quickly becomes fast friends with all of them.The series has an amazing plot with the perfect ending. I didn't like the ending (because it made me sob), but that's the sign of a good book and was what the story needed. Clare does a fabulous job weaving her story into a web with so many twists and tangles, everything seems to be connected. And there are no coincidences. Everything happens for a reason, some of which will not be revealed until the next book in The Mortal Instruments series (the one this is a prequel for) comes out.

Having just recently read Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series which I found addictive I ordered The Infernal Devices. As books are not cheap I was a little nervous as they sounded so different from TMI books being set in Victorian London. I was afraid they might be 'formal' and wooden due to the time in which they were set. My fears were totally unfounded. The three lead characters Tessa, who arrives from New York to meet her brother in England, Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs who are Shadowhunters living at the London Institute are all very lovable. I connected with them all right away. Their characters (to me personally) were far more complex and deeper than TMI characters. They each have dark secrets to be revealed throughout the series but I could not help falling in love with them. The books are very descriptive as though you can feel yourself in Victorian London, (I was born in London so have visited many times). The story is well paced and exciting. I had to keep reading to see what happens next. This writer delivers an excellent story that I will want to read again.SPOLIER ALERTS: I loved Will and Jem equally and I admit the love triangle thing is very emotional. Tessa loves both these boys and they are both in love with her so she has to make a choice. The epilogue made me cry. It is bittersweet but I cannot see how else the writer could have ended it without someone getting hurt. This is a beautiful story!

This universe is by far one of my favorites. The way these series inter connect is amazing. Cassandra Claire is extremely talented. Such a great series.