r/shadowhunters

We really need it

As someone who is new to these books, I’ve finished TMI Part 1 and I’m currently about 50% through Clockwork Prince. At this point, I’m starting to think Cassandra Clare just isn’t that great at writing romance. In TMI, I felt like the romance between Jace and Clary was way too forced, and I’m getting a similar feeling from Will and Tessa. So far, I’ve actually enjoyed the scenes between Jem and Tessa much more.

A lot of the romances in these books feel rushed to me. Honestly, the pacing of the books in general can feel rushed, with one major thing happening after another without much time to breathe. I think TID handles its pacing better than TMI, even though I understand that the constant momentum in TMI is partly necessary for the plot. But I think that same pacing hurts the romance because the relationships don’t always have enough time to develop naturally.

With Jace and Clary, for example, it felt like they met and almost immediately became madly in love with each other, to the point that they were willing to contemplate an incestuous relationship within less than a month of meeting. That level of intensity just didn’t feel earned to me.

When Jem and Tessa get intimate in Chapter 9 of Clockwork Prince, I actually felt like there was much more buildup leading to that moment. Their friendship and emotional connection had been developing throughout the book, so it didn’t feel as random as some of the kissing scenes between Will and Tessa.

There’s still half of Clockwork Prince and another entire book left, so obviously my opinion could change. But so far, I find Will and Tessa’s dynamic pretty boring, especially because Will treats Tessa so poorly. Even if his behavior is explained by his belief that he’s cursed, that doesn’t necessarily make their romantic chemistry more interesting to me. A lot of the attraction also seems to come down to the fact that Will is extremely good-looking, which is interesting considering that even Tessa questions his pretty privilege.

I was Team Simon in TMI, and now I’m Team Jem in TID, so I’m starting to think my ships are destined to never be endgame.