Mundie Moms

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Clockwork Prince Read Along Day #15: Chapter 14


Only 13 more days till Clockwork Princess is out!

If you haven't already, please go sign up for the giveaway. Sign ups close on Friday. 


Welcome to Day 15 of the Clockwork Prince Read Along. You can follow the entire read-a-long and find each of the day's posts here. Remember there's no right or wrong way to participate. Your comments can be as long or a short as you'd like them to be. You can answer 1 or each of the questions asked, it's totally up to you, BUT, in order to be entered into the CP giveaway (which you also had to sign up to win), you do need to be actively participating in the read-a-long. 

Today's discussion is about: Chapter 14
  • The chapter starts off with Charlotte wondering if her pushing Jessamine into being a Shadowhunter, and Jem mentioning she was always wanting, as possible reasons for Jessamine's traitorous actions. Do you think either of those played a role in her choice? I personally think it was a combination of being swept off her feet by Nate, and Mortmain either himself or through Nate, persuading her to help them. We know all how Mortmain works. When he wants something, he gets it.
  • What do you make of Benedict Lightwood working for Mortmain? I feel like some things are starting to come together in this big twist that's slowly starting to unravel, and other things I'm still trying to figure out. Like why doesn't Mortmain just attack already. I want to know what he's waiting for.
  • Well, I'm beginning to like Gideon more and more. Are you surprised about all he admitted to Sophie about his father? I seriously wish something could come out of Sophie and Gideon's friendship. 
  • *sigh* I'm so torn between Will and Jem, but Jem knows how to say the right thing (honest things), and he treats Tessa so respectfully. I love how he treats Tessa. He seems to understand her. He watches her and gets her in ways I don't think Will could. It's just so hard to not want Tessa to be with Jem, even though a small part of me still wishes she'd pick Will. I like that he pointed out how Shadowhunter men and women are treated more equally than mundane men and women are. I think that's such a huge statement for Jem to make given the society they live in. What do you think the relevance is of Jem's comment about that?
Please DO NOT POST SPOILERS. There's some fans who are joining the read-a-long who are reading Clockwork Prince for the first time. 

13 comments:

  1. I think that Jessamine is just not cut out to be a Shadowhunter. She is more girl and likes delicate things. I think that Nate just swept her off her feet and gave her what she wanted. This was too appealing for her and so she followed her heart instead of her head.

    Bendict Lightwood has been creepy from the beginning. I am not surprised he is in league with Mortmain. He's spoiled and wants things his way and he's willing to do anything to get it.

    Gideon and Sophie are officially my favorite people right now. I love them so much and hopefully they will end up together. I have a feeling that Gideon is going to play a big role in the take-down of his father and eventually Mortmain.

    Jem is growing on me more and more, but I still cannot give up hope for Will. I do like that in Shadowhunter society men and women are on a more level playing field. I think that by him even mentioning this he is showing how much he respects and cares for Tessa.

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    1. Lisa I have no doubt that Gideon (and maybe even Gabriel) will play big roles in bringing Mortmain down if he is brought down ...

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  2. * I think that Jessamine hates what being a Shadowhunter means. I think she wants so badly to just live a normal mundane life that she will do anything she can to leave. I also think that she really is very in love with Nate. I think he managed to charm her and she is convinced that he will make her happy.

    * I think I kind of always suspected that there was something going on with Benedict, I just don't think I expected he was working with Mortmain. It wasn't shocking though. I think it was more shocking that he liked his demon women than it was that he is in with Mortmain.

    * I have come to like Gideon too. Of the two brothers, I thought in the beginning he would be the one I would dislike, but he has won me over. I loved how smitten he is with Sophie too. I think it's sweet.

    * I am beyond torn between Will and Jem. More so with this being my second read. I love how much attention Jem pays to the little things, but I think that Will really does too, he just doesn't make it known. I think he is every bit as observant as Jem is. Jem is very sweet though, and I love that he wants to do things correctly with Tessa. I think if Will thought he could let people love him without sentencing them to death, he would be sweet and caring to Tessa too.

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  3. This chapter stalled a bit for me, well I guess it stalls when you read chapter by chapter, I'm sure I kept on reading the next one that first few times I read CP lol

    Benedict Lightwood, at this point the first time reading it, I didnt know what were his reasons behind him being in cahoots with Mortmain and Nate, and there really shouldn't be as there has been no real hints about what the real reasons are ... so this kept me guessing until later in the book.

    I love Gideon and Sophie and I do hope that they are able to find a way to be together, Sophie has the sight so maybe she will be able to ascend eventually, she was of great help unconvering all this web of traitors :)
    Gideon always seemed like he wasn't all that happy with his father so it doesnt surprise me that he doesnt agree with what Benedict is doing.

    How can one not love Jem, but then we have it again, Will creeping into Tessa's mind while she is with Jem.. .again it makes me think that while she does love Jem she has to admit to herself that more of her heart belongs to Will.

    One things that stuck with me since the 3rd time I read the book probably because I've had more time to think about it and linger on details... is when Jessie asks Jem if he would forgive Tessa if it were him and Jem responds "I would forgive Tessa anything" this assertion is important and I think he will prove this in Clockwork Princess.

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  4. * I think that Jessamine is just not the Shadowhunter type. She rather be a beautiful trophy wife than a fighter. WIth that mentality I feel she would easilt be swept off her feet by Nate. He tells her exactly what she wants to hear. Mortain must be doing his homeworkk on all the Shadowhunters because he knew exactly how to use Nate to get what he wanted out of Jessamine.

    *Benedict Lightwood was up to no good all along. Go Figure!!! He is God awful. He would do anything to get what he wants. I am still shocked by the fact he is related to Alec and Isabelle. They are so kind. It just doesn't make sense to me. But seeing more of his sons, maybe the horrible parts of him didn't get past down.

    *Sophie and Gideon are so great together. I really do hope the can have a relationship. This friendship even if it doesn't grow in to more, will be s big part of the reason that Benedict Lightwood and Mortain fail in their conquest of the Shadowhunters. You can already see just by the way he tells Sophie so much about his father that Gideon trust her. There is something big going on there.

    *Jem is so loving and caring towards Tessa that it is no surprise that he would see Tessa as an equal. I think it is important to Tessa to be equal in a world where she feels lost and alone because there is no one else like her. I think it is easier for her to fall for Jem but for Will being Will he gets in your head and in your heart and Tessa feels that. Tessa has a big decision to make.

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  5. Jessamine is an easy target. She doesn’t want to be among the Shadowhunters. She wants a way out. I think Jem was right to say that Jessamine’s traitorous actions came from her desperation and want of getting out of the life she’s in right now. I think if Jessamine wasn’t so determined to live a different life, she wouldn’t have been so easily tempted. Nate wouldn’t have swept her off her feet if she were less interested in meeting a mundane man to marry. Jess wouldn’t have thrown herself at him so vehemently or been so easily manipulated by him if she wasn’t so willing to love anyone who didn’t belong in the Shadowhunter World. Mortmain would have either tried harder, or simply tried a different tactic to get what he wants.

    I thought I read somewhere that Benedict was working for Mortmain because the Magister was holding something over Lightwood. I don’t know if that means the Institute or some big secret or perhaps something more personal, like bringing back his wife or something along those lines. But I’m more disturbed by that fact that he had Lilith on his lap with her snake eyes licking his face. At least it looked like Lilith anyway. That had my skin crawling. And I feel like I’m missing something. There’s a big plot twist coming up and I’m not sensing it? Mortmain could be doing a number of things right now, getting his ducks in a row before unleashing his master plan. Obviously he wants Lightwood at the head of the London Institute for conquering reasons, but I still don’t know where Tessa, the Herondales, or the Pyxis fit into all of this. Mortmain’s off somewhere, scheming, probably five steps ahead of everyone else, and I’m sure when he does finally go through with his main plan, it will be one heck of a ride.

    As much as I want to like Gideon, I wasn’t thrilled to see him at the masquerade. I don’t fully trust him. It feels like he has an excusable answer for everything his confronted with and that makes me suspicious. He could be innocent but he could just as easily be playing Sophie, saying whatever he needs to in order to gain her trust. I am happy to see that Sophie is on her guard with him, nonetheless. She won’t be easily fooled into trusting him at least. I hope he’s an ally and not an enemy. I also hope that Gabriel finds his way through this and doesn’t blindly follow his father where ever he goes. And I think I see where Benedict’s actions had repercussions on the later Lightwood, Robert. Benedict bent or broke rules and took his duty as a Shadowhunter for granted, representing everything Valentine’s Circle was against. My guess is, Benedict isn’t going to end up on the winning side of this conflict, resulting in hopefully both his sons taking a different approach to Shadowhunter policies, and going on to influence Robert’s decision to join the Circle because of his strong, family-based, beliefs in finding corrupt Shadowhunters like his ancestor Benedict, and exposing them.

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  6. It does seem that in the Shadowhunter world men and women are treated more equally in this era than in the mundane world at this time. I don’t know if Jem was trying to say something significant with this statement, that perhaps he believes Tessa is a Shadowhunter, or if he was just trying to make her feel better. The only person whom seems to think women have no place in the Shadowhunter World is Benedict Lightwood, despite one of his supports, Highsmith, being a woman herself. I think Benedict and Jessamine would get along just fine, if it weren’t for the fact that Jessamine wants nothing to do with Shadowhunters, period.

    As for the whole Jem-Tessa-Will debacle, Jem is a wonderful person and he does say all the right things because he’s actually being upfront and honest with Tessa. Whereas Will is still playing as if he’s a jerk, making Tessa have no choice but to look for someone else, simply because she’s under the impression that he has no interest in her. Deep down, Tessa loves Will more than she is wants to admit. For example, she had to reason with herself that the warlock powder meant the kiss between her and Will was void and meaningless—that it was madness. Whereas she believes the night with Jem was more real, despite the fact that Jem was well under the influence and that whole night was madness itself. Tessa is trying to deny to herself that she feels so deeply for Will. And I think that if Will could confess his love for Tessa, she would choose him over Jem. The warlock powder made her want to kiss Will, not Jem. And I don’t think that had to do with proximity. That whole scenario on the balcony reminded me of Clary kissing Jace to get out of the Seelie Queen’s court. Tessa’s true desires lie with Will, not Jem, just as Clary’s belonged with Jace.

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  7. I think that Jem is right, but i feel bad for Charlotte. She had always wanted a life than what she had. she wanted an ordinary life. she was swept away by Nate because she in her the possible opportunity of a different life. In order to get this and Nate must of seen this and used this to force her into indirectly helping Mortmain.

    I hate that Benedict is helping Mortmain. Benedict is bad and teaming up with Mortmain can only lead to more distasteful news and problems.

    I was so surprised that Gideon spoke of his father with Sophie, it is so unlike what i though of him. i always though he was the protector of his father and the quiet one. i really hope that something comes out of their relationship that seems like they are becoming friends. i hope he respects her, because she deserves the best.

    Jems comment shows how people can admire and respect women. he is basically saying that he respects Tessa. he see her as an equal




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  8. ~I think Jessamine just wanted out of the Shadowhunter life, and Nate was the perfect solution. Sure, she could've stopped to think about the situation, but we all make mistakes, and we all want something whose path isn't always the right way to go. I'm not saying I don't blame Jessamine, but it's what she wanted, whether it was right or not.
    ~ Benedict is a traitor, and I hate that he's a Lightwood and related to Alec and Isabelle. I'm pretty sure Mortmain is still trying to open the Pyxis, which is most likely why he hasn't attacked yet.
    ~I loved that Gideon felt it right to tell Sophie what he knew about his father--that means he feels something for her, and wanted her to know that he had nothing to do with the party.
    ~I think that Jem considers Tessa equal to him, even though she isn't a Shadowhunter. He respects her and cares for her, even when he doesn't necessarily have to, with her being a Warlock. It shows just how different he is to others.

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  9. Although I don't think Jessamine liked being a Shadowhunter, I have to wonder whether dark magic influenced her actions. Mortmain is determined to seek his revenge, and he seem to be extremely adept at strategy. I don't know.....I just think that up to this point the whole Jessamine storyline is an epic failure to the sisterhood and Shadowhunters.

    Lightwood makes me sick. He's so twisted. I just don't understand how he is so easily manipulated by Mortmain. And that's a very good question....why doesn't Mortmain attack already? What is he waiting for?

    All the questions have been excellent during this read-a-long, by the way. Thank you.

    I hope Gideon is truly as good as he seems. I would so hate for Sophie to be hurt, and I woud love for her to have a happy life. I love how brave she is!

    Please don't hate me, but I'm Team Jem all the way! *runs and hides* I just finished reading a book entitled Tumbleweeds, and the girl picked the "Will" in the love triangle rather than the "Jem." Big. Giant. Mistake.....

    Pick, Jem, Tessa! Pick Jem!!!!

    :D

    I think that Jem was trying to make Tessa feel better about their make-out session. Also considering it was the Victorian era, it makes total sense for Jem to share that information when he did.

    I thought it was funny that Jessamine actually noticed that Jem and Tessa had been making out in the carriage...she isn't completely stupid, and she's obviously very observant.....so why can't she see through Nate? Meh!!!

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  10. I don't know what to think pushed Jessamine. I thought I knew her better- maybe I'm just remembering something out of TIM. My gut is telling me she was manipulated more by Mortmain than sweep away by Nate.

    Benedict [Arnold] Lightwood! Mortmain has far too much control over him. He certainly is depraved.
    Still do not fully trust Gideon. I can see him sticking close to the family in order to protect his siblings. I do love how he interacts with Sophie.


    Jem is sweet, but I'm still Team Will. I. Just. Am. In the end I think Tessa needs someone who challenges her and that is Will. The girl needs to get a grip. She's going to hurt Jem. I just know it.

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  11. Jessmine is very angry because she lives a life but she doesn't want this life. She doesn't want to be Shadowhunter. I don't think that she hates Charlotte and the others she just angry. Then she thought that Nate can give her the life what she want it. Maybe Jessmine isn't guilty, maybe she is a victim.
    Benedict is an idiot. But I think he has a reason why work for Mortmain.
    Oh Gideon. I hope you are a good guy!!!!But I can't trust him. This happening if you read a book by Cassie.
    I agreed! I think Jem deserves Tessa. She can give him a peaceful end...and I hope she will give it to him. Jem has a beautiful soul. If he will die he will tell Tessa that she must be with Will. That would be a great end.

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  12. I think Jessamine is very much her own person.
    I'm thinking there's a lot of reasons why she did what she did. First off, everyone knows she wouldn't be a Shadowhunter if she were given the choice. It's not that she hates them, it's more like she hates the idea. All those stuff that has to do with being a Shadowhunter, Jessamine doesn't want that. And maybe this one played a big role in what she did. Secondly, she found herself drawn to Nate 'cause she finds the idea of "normalcy" in him. Nate is not Nephilim and Jessamine sees him as someone who could take her away from all of the fighting and everything to do with Nephilim. Lastly, Mortmain can be a very persuasive person and I think Jessamine is someone who is easy to go through.
    Whatever her reasons maybe though, Jessamine shouldn't have done what she did..

    When it comes to Mortmain and his evil plans, everything is just a total puzzle. We do start to unravel few, small things at a time, but with every discovery comes a whole bunch of questions. Benedict Lightwood working for Mortmain isn't all that shocking though. I don't believe he is as evil as Mortmain, but they're both looking for some outcome where they'll achieve what they have always wanted and this makes for a perfect partnership (hehe).

    Gideon.. I never thought I'd like him but I'm really starting to. He's very different from Gabriel and he has this sweet side we rarely see and that he reserves for Sophie.
    I agree with what Lisa commented - Gideon would play a role in taking down Benedict.

    I think what Jem is trying to say is that Tessa is also their equal eventhough she is not a Shadowhunter. Jem shows a great deal of respect to everyone and Tessa is no exception.
    Jem is a very kind soul. If Will would just be honest with his feelings just as Jem is, maybe Tessa wouldn't be so confused and torn between them two. *oh sigh*

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