Snippet of ‘Clockwork Princess’ prologue revealed

A crowd of about 200 fans that attended Cassandra Clare’s signing in Rhinebeck, N.Y. on July 15 were treated to an exclusive reading of the Clockwork Princess prologue.

Those in attendance were asked to refrain from recording the reading.

William Henderson of The Huffington Post jotted down the opening lines of the prologue and shared them on his blog.

London 1873.

“Will?” Charlotte Fairchild eased the door of the Institute’s training room open. “Will, are you in there?”

A muffled grunt was the only response.

The door swung all the way open, revealing a wide, high-ceilinged room on the other side.

Here’s what Clare had to say about the prologue:

“Many many people have asked me about Will and Jem meeting,” Clare said in advance of reading from the prologue (Will and Jem are two of three main protagonists in the trilogy). “They’re very close. They’re best, best friends… and so I decided to write out their first meeting.”

Clockwork Princess, which will have a one-million first printing, will be released on March 19, 2013.

What do you think of the opening of the prologue? Are you excited to read about Will and Jem’s first meeting in 1873? Sound off in the comments!