If I had to describe Cassandra's writing in one word it would have to be "description". On every single page of any book she's written, I can say from personal experience, there will be a description. Whether it be a person's eyes or hair, or the way the towers in Alicante, Idris glimmers in the sunlight. I, personally, LOVE description. I like it because you can actually see everything she is saying and picture it in your mind. You will never be hanging onto your own made-up description of what you think Tessa's necklace looks like, or what shade of red Clary's hair is. I don't see too many books out there that have this detailed descriptions in them. Cassandra is certainly a unique writer in that aspect. But also in the stories she comes up with. She came up with a new race of humans that are half human half angel called Shadowhunters. She created a stroy with plot twists at every turn. I think the unpredictability of her stroies are another fantastic reason why she is phenomanal author. No other writer I have read has had this creativity in their books.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Cassandra Clare Author Review
One of my favorite authors at the moment is Cassandra Clare. She is the author of The Mortal Instruments series and The Infernal Devices series as well as a couple other series about Shadowhunters which I haven't read but I probably will.
If I had to describe Cassandra's writing in one word it would have to be "description". On every single page of any book she's written, I can say from personal experience, there will be a description. Whether it be a person's eyes or hair, or the way the towers in Alicante, Idris glimmers in the sunlight. I, personally, LOVE description. I like it because you can actually see everything she is saying and picture it in your mind. You will never be hanging onto your own made-up description of what you think Tessa's necklace looks like, or what shade of red Clary's hair is. I don't see too many books out there that have this detailed descriptions in them. Cassandra is certainly a unique writer in that aspect. But also in the stories she comes up with. She came up with a new race of humans that are half human half angel called Shadowhunters. She created a stroy with plot twists at every turn. I think the unpredictability of her stroies are another fantastic reason why she is phenomanal author. No other writer I have read has had this creativity in their books.
This clip is a interview with Cassandra Clare is her speaking about The Mortal Instruments and the movie that recently came out.
If I had to describe Cassandra's writing in one word it would have to be "description". On every single page of any book she's written, I can say from personal experience, there will be a description. Whether it be a person's eyes or hair, or the way the towers in Alicante, Idris glimmers in the sunlight. I, personally, LOVE description. I like it because you can actually see everything she is saying and picture it in your mind. You will never be hanging onto your own made-up description of what you think Tessa's necklace looks like, or what shade of red Clary's hair is. I don't see too many books out there that have this detailed descriptions in them. Cassandra is certainly a unique writer in that aspect. But also in the stories she comes up with. She came up with a new race of humans that are half human half angel called Shadowhunters. She created a stroy with plot twists at every turn. I think the unpredictability of her stroies are another fantastic reason why she is phenomanal author. No other writer I have read has had this creativity in their books.
Clockwork Princess- Reading Skills
I have had a few questions through out my book as I've been reading. This book does have a lot put-it-together type of plots in it. And lots of times, it leaves me asking questions for a little while. But after a few pages, if you don't put it together, right there on the spot, it will give it away. One of my questions is why did Jem discontinue everyone's searching for a cure for his illness? Doesn't he want to get better for the sake of his parabatai? And unfortunately, I have read spoilers in some places so I know a couple things that are going to happen but how?? *SPOILER ALERT* In the part I am at, Jem has just died, leaving Will alone to feel the pain. But I read somewhere that Jem becomes a Silent Brother, who are immortal, and Will ends up dying... And I keep asking myself HOW? If Jem has already died, they cannot get him back! I have never encountered anything like this in any other book, movie, or real life situation. And in that way that makes this book unique which I like.
More infor and spoilers about Jem Carstairs
More infor and spoilers about Jem Carstairs
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Clockwork Prince Theme
The theme of Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare would be "Becaureful of who you trust."
This book had a similar theme to Clockwork Angel probably because it's the sequel, but also they are both true. Unlike the last book, they are not taking people in and wondering if they can trust them. They have trusted someone their whole lives and that person decides to change. Jessamine. Jessamine is another Shadowhunter but does not wish to be a Shadowhunter. She wants a normal, mundane life with a mundane husband. Throughout the book we occasionally see Jessamine going out during the night time dressed in men's clothing, which is something you don't see too often in the 1800's when all the girls wear big gowns everywhere. At the time you don't know why or where she is going. But you find out she is having secret meetings with Nate Gray, Tessa's brother who in the earlier book we found out was a spy for Mortmain. When the people at the Institute find this out, it's already too late. Here is a quote to support my theme statement "'He made it very clear that you have been spying for Mortmain,' said Tessa, wishing that Sophie and Charlotte would return. What on earth was taking them so long? 'That you have betrayed us, reporting on all our activities, carrying out Mortmain's commands--'" (pg. 226, Clockwork Prince) This quote supports my theme statement because they thought because Jessamine had lived at the Institute for such a long time, they thought she loved them and would never do something so awful as to spy on them.
Background information on Jessamine Lovelace
This book had a similar theme to Clockwork Angel probably because it's the sequel, but also they are both true. Unlike the last book, they are not taking people in and wondering if they can trust them. They have trusted someone their whole lives and that person decides to change. Jessamine. Jessamine is another Shadowhunter but does not wish to be a Shadowhunter. She wants a normal, mundane life with a mundane husband. Throughout the book we occasionally see Jessamine going out during the night time dressed in men's clothing, which is something you don't see too often in the 1800's when all the girls wear big gowns everywhere. At the time you don't know why or where she is going. But you find out she is having secret meetings with Nate Gray, Tessa's brother who in the earlier book we found out was a spy for Mortmain. When the people at the Institute find this out, it's already too late. Here is a quote to support my theme statement "'He made it very clear that you have been spying for Mortmain,' said Tessa, wishing that Sophie and Charlotte would return. What on earth was taking them so long? 'That you have betrayed us, reporting on all our activities, carrying out Mortmain's commands--'" (pg. 226, Clockwork Prince) This quote supports my theme statement because they thought because Jessamine had lived at the Institute for such a long time, they thought she loved them and would never do something so awful as to spy on them.
Background information on Jessamine Lovelace
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Clockwork Prince Summary
I finally finished Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare on Sunday night and I thought that I might do a summary on it now that I have read it all the way through.
Clockwork Prince was set in a time period of the mid 1800's. Considering this time period the main character, Tessa, has a few more struggles than she would have today. In the beginning The Branwells ran the London Institute and nobody questioned wether they were fit for the job. But as time goes on, we find out she has had a spy for The Magister living under her roof, twice! This spy was first Nate Gray, Tessa's brother. This happened in the first book. But now her second is Jessamine Lovelace.Jessamine has been at the Institute since she was a little girl. She has always disliked being a shadowhunter, but has had to live with the "burden", all though most people wouldn't call it a burden, for her whole life. She has always wanted a mundane, or human, husband. And it just so happens that Nate is as mundane as they come, and his looks don't hurt either.They find this out because the houses maid, Sophie, found an invitation from Nate to go to a ball and while Jessamine is sleeping, Tessa Changes into Jessamine using her powers as a warlock so they think. Tessa goes to the masquerade ball with Will to ask Nate questions about Mortmain under Jessamine's name. While there they find out a few more things than they thought they would. Jessamine and Nate are married. Gabriel Lightwood has a relationship with a demon which is illegal, and has a purpose later in the story. And that tessa and Will both drink warlock powder which lowers their inhabitions. Later while they are leaving Will finds the demon that put a curse on him when he was 12 years old and chaces hime down. The whole time everyone at the Institute thought they were one step ahead in finding The Magister who you find out is Axel Mortmain. But as it turns out Jessamine is telling Nate, who then passes on the information to Mortmain, all of their plans and locations. When the Branwells find out that Jessamine has been spying on them they put her under The Mortal Sword which forces all of the shadowhunters to tell the truth when held. Jessamine tells Charlotte Branwell evrything she knows and has told Nate until they find out that Mortmain has put a block of sorts on Jessamine's mind to make sure she does not tell The Clave, the community of all of the shadowhunters in London, where he is. I left off a few minor details so I don't ruin the whole story. But after that Jessamine gets put in the cells of The City of Bones, deep,deep underground. The Institute is almost out of time to find Mortmain or else Gabriel Lightwood will get it, which is a terrible thing because we also find out that Mortmain needs medicine for his illness, demon pox, and it just so happens that Mortmain has that medicine and to get it Gabriel has to acquire the institute and the Mortmain will have the Shadowhunter community dead. With all of this going on, Tessa finds herself choosing between 2 boys, Will and Jem. Will and Jem are both in love with Tessa and Tessa finds herself caring for both of them. Towards the end, skipping a lot of information about what happens, Jem proposes to Tessa. In the Shadow World, it is normal to get married at a very young age because they don't know how long they will be around. I really recommend this book and find out what happens inbetween the gaps in my summary!
Find out more about the plot of this book on the author's blog
Clockwork Prince was set in a time period of the mid 1800's. Considering this time period the main character, Tessa, has a few more struggles than she would have today. In the beginning The Branwells ran the London Institute and nobody questioned wether they were fit for the job. But as time goes on, we find out she has had a spy for The Magister living under her roof, twice! This spy was first Nate Gray, Tessa's brother. This happened in the first book. But now her second is Jessamine Lovelace.Jessamine has been at the Institute since she was a little girl. She has always disliked being a shadowhunter, but has had to live with the "burden", all though most people wouldn't call it a burden, for her whole life. She has always wanted a mundane, or human, husband. And it just so happens that Nate is as mundane as they come, and his looks don't hurt either.They find this out because the houses maid, Sophie, found an invitation from Nate to go to a ball and while Jessamine is sleeping, Tessa Changes into Jessamine using her powers as a warlock so they think. Tessa goes to the masquerade ball with Will to ask Nate questions about Mortmain under Jessamine's name. While there they find out a few more things than they thought they would. Jessamine and Nate are married. Gabriel Lightwood has a relationship with a demon which is illegal, and has a purpose later in the story. And that tessa and Will both drink warlock powder which lowers their inhabitions. Later while they are leaving Will finds the demon that put a curse on him when he was 12 years old and chaces hime down. The whole time everyone at the Institute thought they were one step ahead in finding The Magister who you find out is Axel Mortmain. But as it turns out Jessamine is telling Nate, who then passes on the information to Mortmain, all of their plans and locations. When the Branwells find out that Jessamine has been spying on them they put her under The Mortal Sword which forces all of the shadowhunters to tell the truth when held. Jessamine tells Charlotte Branwell evrything she knows and has told Nate until they find out that Mortmain has put a block of sorts on Jessamine's mind to make sure she does not tell The Clave, the community of all of the shadowhunters in London, where he is. I left off a few minor details so I don't ruin the whole story. But after that Jessamine gets put in the cells of The City of Bones, deep,deep underground. The Institute is almost out of time to find Mortmain or else Gabriel Lightwood will get it, which is a terrible thing because we also find out that Mortmain needs medicine for his illness, demon pox, and it just so happens that Mortmain has that medicine and to get it Gabriel has to acquire the institute and the Mortmain will have the Shadowhunter community dead. With all of this going on, Tessa finds herself choosing between 2 boys, Will and Jem. Will and Jem are both in love with Tessa and Tessa finds herself caring for both of them. Towards the end, skipping a lot of information about what happens, Jem proposes to Tessa. In the Shadow World, it is normal to get married at a very young age because they don't know how long they will be around. I really recommend this book and find out what happens inbetween the gaps in my summary!
Find out more about the plot of this book on the author's blog
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Character Post- Will Herondale
Based on some textual evidence from Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince both by Cassandra Clare, I would characterize Will Herondale as careless. At first he acts as though he doesn't care what other people think or what people do to him. But as the story progresses we see Will changing as well.
Here is an example, from a part where Will was very down and went to a factory which they produce drugs that are highly addictive and dangerous and is an example of Will's carelessness. To understand how this is especially careless, you will need background information. A while back Jem's, Will's parabatai, or blood brother, parents got murdered and Jem got kidnapped by a demon. The demon each day slowly injected him with a drug called yin fen. When Jem was rescued he was sent to the London Institute at a very young age. Because he has had so much of this drug he is unable to withdrawal because it will kill him and there is no cure that has been found.He will be able to live longer by taking certain amounts of this drug each day depending on what he is doing. To fight it would take more. The drug is slowly killing him everyday and is a very sensative topic. The quote is, "Lying in the bunk was Will, half-tangled in a dark, ragged blanket. He wore nothing but trousers and a shirt; his weapons belt hung on a nail peg inside the bunk. His feet were bare, his eyes half-lidded, their blue only slightly visible beneath the fringe of his dark lashes. His hair was wet with sweat, pated to his forehead, his cheeks bright red and feverish. His chest rose and fell raggedly, as if he were having trouble drawing breath." (Clockwork Prince, 143-144) This excerpt shows Will's carelessness because he obviously didn't think before he went to the drug factory and took the same drug that is killing his best friend, Jem. Will is hurting the ones he loves without knowing. He doesn't seem to care that he is hurting Jem, and this is an important part of the plot.
An example of Will caring is when he realized that Jem was hurt by Will's actions. He didn't directly mean to harm Jem in any way. Jem was Will's parabatai, which means they are sworn together by oath. They both swore to protect each other even if it means their own life. This is Will apologizing to Jem, "'I...' He swallowed, looking for the words. It had been so long since he had searched for words that would earn him forgiveness and not hatred, so long since he had sought to present himself in anything but the worst light, that he wondered for a panicked moment if it were even something he was still able to do." (Clockwork Prince, 183-184) This quote shows how Will actually does care because he is earching so hard for the words to apologize to Jem, someone he loves. And he is actually questioning himself and wondering if he can find the words to apologize after not wanting people to like him for so long. Which later on in the book will be explained why he does not want people to like him.
Will's Attitude/Carelessness
I know this is a wiki website, but I think this "blog" is well written and has a lot of good points. If you're intersted in more about Will click on this link above.
A text to film connection I have made is Clockwork Angel/ Clockwork Prince/ Clockwork Princess's character Will Herondale who I connected to Forrest Gump's Jenny Curran. In the books I have already proven my point as to why I think Will is careless. As to why I think Jenny is careless is for a long time Jenny was Forrest's best friend who would do anything for him. As the movie goes on, Jenny gets older and changes and grows away from Forrest. But Forrest has not grown away from Jenny. Throughout the movie Jenny continues to question herself and who she is and doesn't care if she hurts Forrest through her actions like when she agreed to stay with Forrest but then after a while they got too close and Jenny up and went. I think Jenny and Will have a lot in common. Because in the end they really do care about whoever they harmed and they didn't want or mean to.
Forrest asks Jenny for marriage but she thinks he deserves someone better. He thinks that she refused because he is not smart so he simply tells her "I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is."
Here is an example, from a part where Will was very down and went to a factory which they produce drugs that are highly addictive and dangerous and is an example of Will's carelessness. To understand how this is especially careless, you will need background information. A while back Jem's, Will's parabatai, or blood brother, parents got murdered and Jem got kidnapped by a demon. The demon each day slowly injected him with a drug called yin fen. When Jem was rescued he was sent to the London Institute at a very young age. Because he has had so much of this drug he is unable to withdrawal because it will kill him and there is no cure that has been found.He will be able to live longer by taking certain amounts of this drug each day depending on what he is doing. To fight it would take more. The drug is slowly killing him everyday and is a very sensative topic. The quote is, "Lying in the bunk was Will, half-tangled in a dark, ragged blanket. He wore nothing but trousers and a shirt; his weapons belt hung on a nail peg inside the bunk. His feet were bare, his eyes half-lidded, their blue only slightly visible beneath the fringe of his dark lashes. His hair was wet with sweat, pated to his forehead, his cheeks bright red and feverish. His chest rose and fell raggedly, as if he were having trouble drawing breath." (Clockwork Prince, 143-144) This excerpt shows Will's carelessness because he obviously didn't think before he went to the drug factory and took the same drug that is killing his best friend, Jem. Will is hurting the ones he loves without knowing. He doesn't seem to care that he is hurting Jem, and this is an important part of the plot.
An example of Will caring is when he realized that Jem was hurt by Will's actions. He didn't directly mean to harm Jem in any way. Jem was Will's parabatai, which means they are sworn together by oath. They both swore to protect each other even if it means their own life. This is Will apologizing to Jem, "'I...' He swallowed, looking for the words. It had been so long since he had searched for words that would earn him forgiveness and not hatred, so long since he had sought to present himself in anything but the worst light, that he wondered for a panicked moment if it were even something he was still able to do." (Clockwork Prince, 183-184) This quote shows how Will actually does care because he is earching so hard for the words to apologize to Jem, someone he loves. And he is actually questioning himself and wondering if he can find the words to apologize after not wanting people to like him for so long. Which later on in the book will be explained why he does not want people to like him.
Will's Attitude/Carelessness
I know this is a wiki website, but I think this "blog" is well written and has a lot of good points. If you're intersted in more about Will click on this link above.
A text to film connection I have made is Clockwork Angel/ Clockwork Prince/ Clockwork Princess's character Will Herondale who I connected to Forrest Gump's Jenny Curran. In the books I have already proven my point as to why I think Will is careless. As to why I think Jenny is careless is for a long time Jenny was Forrest's best friend who would do anything for him. As the movie goes on, Jenny gets older and changes and grows away from Forrest. But Forrest has not grown away from Jenny. Throughout the movie Jenny continues to question herself and who she is and doesn't care if she hurts Forrest through her actions like when she agreed to stay with Forrest but then after a while they got too close and Jenny up and went. I think Jenny and Will have a lot in common. Because in the end they really do care about whoever they harmed and they didn't want or mean to.
Clockwork Angel Theme
Since I haven't finished Clockwork Prince, I thought I would analyze the theme of Clockwork Angel, the prequel.
The theme of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare is "Trust". I say this because in this book Tessa, the main character, has to figure out who she can trust. In the beginning, she thought the only person she had that she thought she could trust was her brother, Nate Gray. Nate is the only family she has left after her Aunt Harriet died. She gets kidnapped by two warlocks, The Dark Sisters. They intially say her brother told them to pick her up from the dock, but once she gets back to where she'll be living for a while, they say they have held Nate captive as their prisoner. They won't hurt them if she does everything they tell her to. She goes through everything for him because she doesn't want them to hurt her brother. When they finally say they will be taking her to "The Magister". She has no idea who he is, or where her brother is. Right before she is about to be taken to The Magister, a Shadowhunter, named Will, rescues her and they escape The Dark Sisters' house. Eventually, Tessa is back with Will at the London Institute. Along with a few other fellow Shadowhunters. Tessa has to learn that she can trust Shadowhunters but can she trust anyone else?
Questions on the Book and Shadowhunter History
The theme of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare is "Trust". I say this because in this book Tessa, the main character, has to figure out who she can trust. In the beginning, she thought the only person she had that she thought she could trust was her brother, Nate Gray. Nate is the only family she has left after her Aunt Harriet died. She gets kidnapped by two warlocks, The Dark Sisters. They intially say her brother told them to pick her up from the dock, but once she gets back to where she'll be living for a while, they say they have held Nate captive as their prisoner. They won't hurt them if she does everything they tell her to. She goes through everything for him because she doesn't want them to hurt her brother. When they finally say they will be taking her to "The Magister". She has no idea who he is, or where her brother is. Right before she is about to be taken to The Magister, a Shadowhunter, named Will, rescues her and they escape The Dark Sisters' house. Eventually, Tessa is back with Will at the London Institute. Along with a few other fellow Shadowhunters. Tessa has to learn that she can trust Shadowhunters but can she trust anyone else?
Questions on the Book and Shadowhunter History
Thursday, September 5, 2013
The Clockwork Prince
I have been reading The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. I finished her first series, all five books, The Mortal Instruments and LOVED them. I thought that I might like other books by her. The Mortal Instruments series is about a fictional race of people called Shadowhunters. They protect their city by fighting demons and other things that might be lurking.
In The Clowckwork Prince it has the same theory. Shadowhunters fighting demons and maybe the occasional automaton. But the twist with this series, it takes place in the 1800's. The main character, Tessa Gray, finds out she's something that she didn't think she was. They are constantly put in danger by the main antagonist, The Magister and maybe a few other things. Tessa, being a lady in the 1800's is also torn with being a lady, or being a warrior. I HIGHLY recomend these books, as well as The Mortal Instruments series, which is coming out wiht the 6th and final book in 2014.
Cassandra's Book Blog, The Clockwork Prince
This book is a sequel to Clockwork Angel and the prequel to Clockwork Princess.
The whole series is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series.
In The Clowckwork Prince it has the same theory. Shadowhunters fighting demons and maybe the occasional automaton. But the twist with this series, it takes place in the 1800's. The main character, Tessa Gray, finds out she's something that she didn't think she was. They are constantly put in danger by the main antagonist, The Magister and maybe a few other things. Tessa, being a lady in the 1800's is also torn with being a lady, or being a warrior. I HIGHLY recomend these books, as well as The Mortal Instruments series, which is coming out wiht the 6th and final book in 2014.
Cassandra's Book Blog, The Clockwork Prince
This book is a sequel to Clockwork Angel and the prequel to Clockwork Princess.
The whole series is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series.
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