Clockwork Princess

Did You Know?

• The Infernal Devices series had a global in-print tally of six million copies.
• One million copies of Clockwork Princess were printed by the time of its release.
• The series was optioned as a film by Constantin Film, the same company that optioned The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones; as of 2019 it was in early development.

Plot

Two months after the previous book, Tessa Gray prepares for her wedding to Jem Carstairs. Gabriel Lightwood arrives seeking help with his father Benedict, whose demon pox has turned him into a worm, killing servants and Rupert Blackthorn. Gabriel and his brother Gideon ultimately kill their father, creating a rift with Tatiana. Gabriel moves to the London Institute and develops a relationship with Will Herondale's sister Cecily, who has also moved there. Jem's illness worsens; Will discovers Jem has taken extra yin fen to stay strong for the wedding. Axel Mortmain buys all London's yin fen, blackmailing the Institute to hand over Tessa in exchange. Jem and Tessa refuse and move up their wedding. Consul Josiah Wayland tries to turn Gideon and Gabriel against Charlotte Branwell; Gideon refuses, but Gabriel eventually sides with Charlotte. Jessamine Lovelace returns to the Institute after trials at Silent City. On her arrival, automatons and Mrs. Black attack, mortally wounding Jessie and taking Tessa. Before dying, Jessie leaves clues leading to Cadair Idris. Jem collapses, learns of Will's love for Tessa, and urges Will to save her. Will feels his parabatai bond with Jem sever. Charlotte fails to rally the Enclave, gathering only Sophie, Cecily, Gideon, Gabriel, Magnus Bane, and three Silent Brothers. Henry and Magnus create a Portal device. Wayland convenes an emergency meeting to depose Charlotte, but automatons attack, killing him and Aloysius Starkweather.

Release

Clockwork Princess received positive reviews. It reached #1 on Publishers Weekly's bestseller list, selling over 68,000 copies in its first week. Breia Brissey of Entertainment Weekly gave it an A−, calling it Clare's best work and as addictive as her original franchise. The Guardian's children's book reviewer expressed gratitude for the book. Sally Lodge of Publishers Weekly noted Clare's use of social media for promotion: she tweeted a link to the first chapter, and fans participated in a cover reveal that generated over 30,000 tweets in two hours. Anne Zafian of Simon and Schuster praised the Twitter campaign for allowing worldwide simultaneous release. Clare expressed delight at fan reactions. Other marketing included the Shadowhunters App for Apple and Android, launched in early February 2013, offering a first look at the prologue. The book's trailer debuted on Entertainment Weekly's Shelf Life blog on February 21.