Synopsis from Amazon.com:
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….
*Note: If you haven’t finished the Mortal Instruments series yet, beware the spoilers!*
Thankfully my library has all The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices books because otherwise I’d be totally broke by now. I’ve been reading Cassandra Clare’s books almost non-stop for months now and it’s getting a little out of control.
In this prequel trilogy to The Mortal Instruments, we follow Tessa, Will, and Jem as they go up against the Pandemonium Club (I love that this later becomes the name of an actual club in NY). This novel had the same level of action, romance, and plot twists as The Mortal Instruments. So, of course, I loved it.
I could definitely see the similarities between both books and heroines. Tessa and Clary both know nothing about the Shadow World before they’re suddenly thrown into it. Differently, Tessa is a Downworlder and doesn’t know it, whereas Clary is a Shadowhunter who doesn’t know it. Plus, there’s that whole “being in a different time period” thing, as well.
I found it really interesting getting to know Will Herondale since he’s Jace’s ancestor. I definitely see similarities between the two, which was cool. The only issue I had with this book is I already know everything that’s going to happen. But this isn’t the novel’s fault, it’s my own. I read the whole Mortal Instruments series and The Bane Chronicles before I began reading this book so I know who Tessa ends up with and what she is and everything else.
Therefore my suggestion would be to read this trilogy before you even read The Mortal Instruments. Or read the first three books and then read The Infernal Devices and then finish The Mortal Instruments. Definitely do not read Magnus Bane’s stories until you read this prequel though because spoilers everywhere in there.
Besides that I absolutely loved this book. Now I finally get all the hype for Will and Jem. Although, to be honest, I’m definitely a bigger fan of Jem than Will but that might be because I’ve only read the first book and rumor has it Will is just going through some stuff right now. But I’m in love with Jem! He’s so sweet and cute and … well, I won’t spoil it but I know this trilogy will be my undoing. But I’ll still love it!
Borrow or Buy: Buy!
Stars:
Favorite Line:
“It is as great a thing to love as it is to be loved. Love is not something that can be wasted.”
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Zakiya N. Jamal 
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