The Infernal Devices Love Triangle

Firstly, let me just start off by saying I love the Infernal Devices series and pretty much everything about it, even the love triangle. And secondly, allow me to also state, for the record, I HATE love triangles. With a burning passion. I can not even stress how annoyed I get with this overused excuse for a plot. And before you say, "Wait, Rebecca, not two lines ago you said you loved the Infernal Devices?" Yes, yes I did. To explain, I can pretty safely say the Cassandra Clare's use of a love triangle is about the only one I actually enjoyed reading, instead of chucking the dang book out the window like I normally do when a love triangle emerges in the plot. Essentially, the Infernal Devices is a rare exception to the rule. It is a once in a blue moon kind of series, and might as well be on par with a unicorn. The root of the problem of a typical love triangle, for me at least, is the girl. When her two lovers are courting her, I've found the female heroine tends to be pretty cavalier about the whole mess, rarely thinking about how her actions are affecting others. And if the triangle could get even more irritating, one suitor typically fits the "bad boy" archetype and our heroine tends to mistake infatuation for love. Don't get me wrong, usually when I read a love triangle it fits the bill pretty well, but with Infernal Devices I was pleasantly surprised. What makes this story different is that each individual in this trio isn't selfish at all. They care deeply for one another, even the men, who are Parabatai (blood brothers), and a girl never once got in between them. Not to mention that Tessa is a total bad-ass. She's the kind of girl that doesn't need a guy to take care of her (ahem, Bella), and I can understand her appeal, and why these two men would love her. The Clockwork Princess was also unusual in the way that both Team-Will and Team-Jace fans were satisfied. This is one of the first young adult novels that I've read that displays love in its purest sense: an action, not some silly, stomach flipping over, heart pumping faster, you think about them late at night infatuation crap (yeah, that's right, I'm looking at you Sarah Dessen). No, as John Mayer sings angelically: love is a verb. And Clare hits that note spot on.

Lots of love,
Bex

The Infernal Devices Review

Set in the late 1800's, Cassandra Clare lays out the story in London, revolving around the world of Shadowhunters and their conquest to protect mundanes from demons. The story is mainly told through the eyes of Tessa Gray, a girl with a special ability no one can identify. Along her journey, she meets Will Herondale, a troubled boy she can't seem to shake, and Jem Carstairs, a kind-hearted boy she might see as more than a friend... All while battling demons and saving the world, but of course. The series consists of  three books: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess. Clare intertwines nods to her other series, The Mortal Instruments, which takes place in modern-day New York. The story is enthralling, and by far one of the best young adult fantasy series that I've read in a while (and believe me, I read a LOT). Clare's writing is smart and sexy as always, and with an ending that leaves you hungry for more, while still being thoroughly satisfying, I can safely say it deserves 4 out of 5 stars. And not to worry, Constanin Films is going to be in the process of casting in just a few months.

Lots of love,
Bex

We Are All Elizabeth Bennets

I, being the hopeless romantic and gullible sucker that I am, firmly believe there is someone for everyone, handcrafted to perfection by God himself for that someone. What ever God you pray to, or if you pray at all, chances are, you have loved someone unconditionally, and you have been loved as well. Whether your love be unrequited or not, and no matter how much it hurts, it is still a beautiful thing to love. That much is clear in just about every culture and every city in the world. Let's face it: girls and boys alike love love. Although it's tempting to jump the gun as soon as you meet "the one," there's also nothing wrong with taking things slow and figuring out where you stand with each other in not just this moment but in years (and decades, hopefully!) to come. And if he's the right guy, he shouldn't mind. I love telling some of my love sick friends that might be just a bit too young to understand that the one doesn't necessarily come when is most convenient: Someday, you will be the girl. Not just a girl, but the girl. You may not know to who, and he may not come today, or tomorrow, but someday, you will be the girl and he'll be the boy. Yes that's right, someday Mr. Darcy will come to sweep all of you Elizabeths off of your feet. It may not be in some elaborate, confusing courtship where he proposes multiple times, but I guarantee, he'll come in due time.

Lots of love,

Bex