Meet Tessa Gray: The Heartbeat of The Infernal Devices.
“We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.”
–Cassandra Clare
Who's Tessa Gray?
For everyone who lives under a rock, Tessa Gray is the fierce FMC from The Infernal Devices, the prequel written by Cassandra Clare for The Immortal Instruments. In my humble opinion, it's CC's best series.
I won't delve into spoiler territory for those yet to explore TDI's wonders. Set in Victorian London, this saga unfolds Tessa's life, an orphaned teen with a unique ability: shape-shifting. Her journey intertwines with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, revealing a world she never knew existed.
I read this series a long time ago when I was in high school. It was my big introduction to more heavily dose fantasy books, the book series that really got me entangled and became my whole personality for years.
Why I Love This Character So Damn Much?
Now, why does Tessa Gray mean so much to me? Imagine being a 17-year-old outsider, a girl who's always felt a bit out of place. Then, you pick up a book and find bits and pieces of yourself in every character you encounter (hello, it's me!). Tessa became a reflection of me, someone who loved books just as fiercely as I did. She was courageous and unwavering, qualities I aspired to embody and still do.
Tessa is an intricate and multifaceted character who endures heartache and trials but never loses her spirit or her infectious smile. She transforms in the face of adversity, inspiring me to chase my dreams and keep fighting for what I believe in.
Although this series involves a trope I typically dislike (cough *love triangle* cough), CC wrote it so well that it didn't feel like a cliche. Tessa's character was so relatable and the intricate plot of TDI won me over. I couldn't help but shed a few tears for her and the characters I came to adore.
The heartbreak only intensified with each book (iykyk), and as I'm a big sucker for crying and spilling my tears for fictional characters – after all, isn't that what book dragons do best?
With each book, Tessa grows into her best self, and her journey helped me with my own growth. When I first delved into this series, I was grieving the loss of my grandma, a true angel in my life. Reading TDI during those difficult weeks was emotionally challenging, but it also provided solace. Tessa guided me through the early stages of healing, helping me cope with the profound loss and showing me the path to mend my broken heart.
Through Tessa, I learned that the pain of losing someone never truly disappears, but with time, it transforms into a scar, a tribute to the love we shared. We learn to carry the memory of our departed loved ones in our hearts, just like our beloved characters from our favorite stories.
So, Tessa, thank you for being my partner during one of the most difficult times of my life. You helped me bear the loss of someone dear to me and allowed me to start the journey of healing.
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