Book detail: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess is presented as a focused source page for quotations connected with this book, collection, transcript, or source record.
The Infernal Devices series is set in an alternate Victorian era where magic and steam-powered technology coexist. Tessa Gray, a young woman with a mysterious past, becomes entangled in a web of intrigue and danger as she navigates the complex social hierarchy of the magical world. The series follows her journey as she uncovers her own magical abilities and the secrets of her family's past.
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“You know," Gabriel said, "there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will." "There was a time I thought I was a ferret," Will said, "but that turned out to be the opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn't.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“One must always be careful of books,' said Tessa, 'and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.' 'I'm not sure a book has ever changed me,' said Will. 'Well there is one volume that promises to teach one how to turn oneself into an entire flock of sheep-' 'Only the very weak minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry,' said Tessa, determined not to let him run wildly off with the conversation.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Goodness," Tessa said to the back of his head. "If you keep seeing Six-Fingered Nigel like this, he'll expect you to declare your intentions.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Will rolled up his sleeves. "We'll probably have to knock down the door--" "Or," said Jem, reaching out and giving the knob a twist, "not." The door swung open onto a rectangle of darkness. "Now, that's simply laziness," said Will.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“And of course you wouldn't be going alone,' Will said impatiently. 'I would go with you. I wouldn't let anything happen to you.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“I know there are monsters on this earth,' said Tessa. 'You cannot tell me otherwise. I have seen them.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“So you're a Shadowhunter,' Nate said. 'De Quincey told me that you lot were monsters.' 'Was that before or after he tried to eat you?' Will inquired.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“You’re not the only one who calls them that; the other Downworlders do the same,” said Will. “I discovered that fact while investigating the symbol. I must have carried that knife through a hundred Downworld haunts, searching for someone who might recognize it. I offered a reward for information. Eventually the name of the Dark Sisters came to my ears.” “Downworld?” Tessa echoed, puzzled. “Is that a place in London?” “Never mind that,” said Will. “I’m boasting of my investigative skills, and I would prefer to do it without interruption. Where was I?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“It's Will," she said. "He's being absolutely ridiculous in the dining room." Charlotte looked puzzled. "How is this different from him being totally ridiculous in the library or the weapons room or any of the other places he's usually ridiculous?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Henry turned as if to dart out of the room, then swung around and stared at them, a look of confusion passing over his freckled face, as if he had only now had cause to wonder why Will, Tessa, and Jem might be crouching together in a mostly disused storage room. "What are you three doing in here, anyway?" Will tilted his head to the side and smiled at Henry. "Charades," he said. "Massive game.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Charlotte, darling," Henry said to his wife, who was staring at him in gape-mouthed horror. Jessamine, beside her, was wide eyed. "Sorry I'm late. You know, I think I might nearly have the Sensor working-" Will interrupted. "Henry," he said, "You're on fire. You do know that don't you?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“she was glad she had been scarred. She said that whoever loved her now would love her true self, and not her pretty face.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“They’re not hideous,” said Tessa. Will blinked at her. “What?” “Gideon and Gabriel,” said Tessa. “They’re really quite good-looking, not hideous at all.” “I spoke,” said Will, in sepulchral tones, “of the pitch-black inner depths of their souls.” Tessa snorted. “And what color do you suppose the inner depths of your soul are, Will Herondale?” “Mauve,” said Will.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Henry," said Charlotte, who appeared to have recovered from her shock, "if you set yourself on fire deliberately, I will institute divorce proceedings. Now sit down and eat your supper. And say hello to our guest.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Perhaps he's in love with Agatha," she said. "I hope not. I intend to marry Agatha myself. She may be a thousand years old, but she makes an incomparable jam tart. Beauty fades, but cooking is eternal.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“She smiled at him. “How did you know just what I’d want to see?” “How could I not?” he said. “When I think of you, and you are not there, I see you in my mind’s eye always with a book in your hand.” He looked away from her as he said it, but not before she caught the slight flush on his cheekbones. He was so pale, he could never hide even the least blush, she thought — and was surprised how affectionate the thought was.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Perhaps," he said, "we should discuss our arrangements, then.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“When Will truly wants something,” said Jem, quietly, “when he feels something — he can break your heart.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“You must behave as if return is certain, not a matter of chance", Jem said.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“The Sisters vanished entirely then, and Aunt Harriet was standing over Tessa, her face flushed with fever as it had been during the terrible illness that had killed her. She looked at Tessa with great sadness. "I tried," she said. "I tried to love you. But it isn't easy to love a child that isn't human in the least...." "Not human?" said an unfamiliar female voice. "Well, if she isn't human, Enoch, what is she?" The voice sharpened in impatience. "What do you mean, you don't know? Everyone's something. This girl can't be nothing at all.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Pulvis et umbra sumus. It's a line from Horace. 'We are dust and shadows'. Appropriate, don't you think?" Will said. "It's not a long life, killing demons; one tends to die young, and then they burn your body - dust to dust, in the literal sense. And then we vanish into the shadows of history, nary a mark on the page of a mundane book to remind the world that once we existed at all.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“She's alive," Thomas said, not opening his eyes. "What?" Will was caught off guard. "The one you come back for. Her. Tessa. She's with Sophie.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Lord, you're Irish," said Will. "Can you make things that don't have potatoes in them? We had an Irish cook once when I was a boy. Potato pie, potato custard, potatoes with potato sauce.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“He bent to put his cheek against hers. His breath against her ear made her shudder with each deliberately spoken word. "I have wanted to do this," he said, "every moment of every hour of every day that I have been with you since the day I met you.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Look well on this, my son," said the green-skinned man, "for one day I shall rule a clockwork kingdom of such beings, and you shall be its prince.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Oh, leave it,” said Jem, kicking Will, not without affection, lightly on the ankle. “She’s annexed my plan!” “Will,” Tessa said firmly. “Do you care more about the plan being enacted or about getting credit for it?” Will pointed a finger at her. “That,” he said. “The second one.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“I think I may be in love with you, Sophie," said Will. "Marriage could be in the cards.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“He closed his eyes. “I’m so tired, Tess,” he said. “I only wanted pleasant dreams for once.” “That is not the way to get them, Will,” she said softly. “You cannot buy or drug or dream your way out of pain.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Well,” Tessa said, sighting along the line of the knife, “you behave as if you dislike me. In fact, you behave as if you dislike us all.” “I don’t,” Gabriel said. “I just dislike him.” He pointed at Will. “Dear me,” said Will, and he took another bite of his apple. “Is it because I’m better-looking than you?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Well, there aren’t any graves in mundane wedding ceremonies,” said Tessa. “Though your ability to quote the Bible is impressive. Better than my aunt Harriet’s.” “Did you hear that, James? She just compared us to her aunt Harriet.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“You may choose your friends, but not your unlikely saviors,” Magnus said cheerfully.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“I swear that woman had a previous career as a death-hunter selling tragic ballads down around the Seven Dials," said Will. "And I do wish she wouldn't sing about poisoning just after we've eaten.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Dear God, woman,"said Will. "Are there any questions you don't want to know the answer to?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“D'you think he would have thought ahead like that?" said Henry. "Assuredly," said Will. "The man's a strategist." He tapped his temple. "Like me.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“That sounds almost practiced, James Carstairs. How many girls have you made swoon with that observation?" "There is only one girl I care to make swoon," he said. "The question is, does she?" She smiled at him. "She does.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“But you love her.” Will stared at him. “Of course I do,” he said finally. “I had come to think I would never love anyone, but I love her.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Well, what? Sophie-" "I hit her on the head with a mirror," Sophie said hopelessly. "One of those silver-backed ones, so it was quite heavy. She went down just like a stone, miss. So I...I tied her to the bed and I came looking for you.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Demon pox,' said Will with the satisfaction of the truly vindicated.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Meet me in the courtyard in half an hour, then,” said Will. “I’ll wake Cyril. And be prepared to swoon at my finery.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“And then she said nothing else, for Henry put his arms around her and kissed her. Kissed her in such a way that she no longer felt plain, or conscious of her hair or the ink spot on her dress or anything but Henry, whom she had always loved. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, and when he drew away, he touched her wet face wonderingly. "Really," he said. "You love me, too, Lottie?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“What’s that poem again?” Will, who had been twirling his empty teacup around his fingers, stood up straight and declaimed: “Each spake words of high disdain, And insult to his heart’s best brother—” “Oh, by the Angel, Will, do be quiet,” said Charlotte, standing up. “I must go and write a letter to Aloysius Starkweather that drips remorse and pleading. I don’t need you distracting me.” And, gathering up her skirts, she hurried from the room. “No appreciation for the arts,” Will murmured, setting his teacup down.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“What is this?” he went on now, spearing an unfortunate object on a fork and raising it to eye level. “This… this… thing?” “A parsnip?” Jem suggested. “A parsnip planted in Satan’s own garden.” said Will. He glanced about. “I don’t suppose there’s a dog I could feed it to.” “There don’t seem to be any pets about,” Jem—who loved all animals, even the inglorious and ill-tempered Church—observed. “Probably all poisoned by parsnips,” said Will.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“[Jem] looked from Will to Tessa and raised his silvery eyebrows. "A miracle," he said. "You got him to speak." "Just to shout at me, really," said Tessa. "Not quite loaves and fishes.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Gideon Lightwood said he was at the Institute in Madrid. What on earth was he doing there?' 'Faffing about, most likely', said Will.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Charlotte, Will’s being vexing.' 'And the sun has come up in the east,' said Jem, to no one in particular.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“And therefor," said Magnus "We must go." Will blinked at him. "Go where?" "Don't worry about that right now, my love." Will blinked again. "Pardon?”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“I can trust you, Jessie, but you're clearly not well enough to go. Which is unfortunate, since Aloysius always had a weakness for a pretty face." "Even more reason why I should go," said Will.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“Oh, I don't know. I prefer to think that when they're at home, the Silent Brothers are much like us. Playing practical jokes in the Silent City, making toasted cheese-" "I hope they play charades," said Tessa Dryly. "It would seem to take advantage of their natural talents.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
“There's always the dinner rolls," said Will, pointing to a covered basket. "Though I warn you, they're as hard as stones. You could use them to kill black beetles, if any beetles bother you in the middle of the night.”
Source: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess