Reading Clockwork Princess was a dream. Not the last dream of my soul, and not the first. It was the dream that touched my soul. I know that when an author writes a book, they write it for themselves, and hope that others will love it as they do (I think). But honestly, reading your book these past couple of days, I had an incredibly selfish thought that you had written this for me! It encompassed all my quirky interests, and the values I strive for most. Everything, from the worm, to the jokes, to the dialogue, to the infernal devices, to the prose, to the plot, to the choices, to the consequences… They were all done in a way that I could not find fault. Not with my subjective self, at least. Not with the part of me that dreams. But who’s to say that’s wrong? I know that C.S. Lewis would say that those romantic longings are exactly what lead to reason and advancement. That it all comes full circle.
And that, Ms. Clare, is why I really don’t feel the loss of my dear friends, that you so blessedly created. Whether they lived or died, loved or suffered, the wheel turns ever more, and I can feel their presence in my heart as they journey on without us as an audience. Always growing, yes. But always remaining Jem, Will, and Tessa. I’ve never felt I could know any fictional characters as much as I know them in my heart. I could barely describe them, I should think, for even my precious words could not do them justice. Only your words, and not descripting words, but your narrative words, have the ability of accomplishing that task.
I’m hardly vouching for the rest of the world, but you have accomplished what I thought impossible and brought these characters alive in my heart. I’ve had characters live in my mind, but never in my heart. I did not think it possible for fictional characters to become so real, for an entire series to touch me in such a way. But you managed that, for one silly girl over here.
Unless you are despairing now, let me say that I do know the difference between reality and fiction, and that I hardly expect Tessa to come knocking on my front door. And I know that she, Jem, and Will won’t figuratively guide me through life’s journeys. But it’s nice to know that they are friends I can always revisit, without reserve, and still be surprised by what they say (no matter how many times I read your books).
And now, just as Jem, Will, and Tessa have ended their journey with us, so now am I ending one of my own. It’s been nearly 6 years to the day since I first fell in love with books. It makes me think of how Jem and Will spent 6 years together, too, though my years with books are far from over, just as those two will forever be together. And, in less than a month, I will be 18 and off to college (think Catholic and Leprechauns). Right when Jem, Will, and Tessa start the new stage of their lives. It’s odd to think it’s only been 2 1/2 years since I’ve met them, but it’s thanks to your tremendous talent that I’ll carry these characters in my heart for the rest of my life – Too grand a statement?
Lots of love from a very thankful reader,
Makayla Manta
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