Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: August 31, 2010
Pages: 476
My Rating: 4.5/5
Misc.: First in Infernal Devices trilogy
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
Synopsis taken from goodreads.
My Review:
Cassandra Clare has done it again! Though I must say, I think I like the Infernal Devices series better than the Mortal Instruments. I adore the historical London setting. Seeing how different Shadowhunters were in the past was a real treat. I'm used to Clare's Mortal Instrument series where Shadowhunters are battling demons in New York City , so the change in setting was welcomed.
As always, Clare creates these horrible villains and in depth protagonists. However, I was a bit disappointed to see some characters acted very (and I mean very) similarly to some of her Mortal Instruments characters. But other than that, I liked how Clockwork Angel was generally different from the Mortal Instruments. The main character, Tessa, goes to London to search for her brother, but instead discovers a hidden world. She learns pretty quickly, though, and is willing to do just about anything to find her brother.
The book is pretty fast paced. I liked how all the action scenes weren't squished together in the last fifty pages of the book and actually spread out throughout the book. Also, the writing style was pretty good. Cassandra Clare can really get inside the head of a teenager, so she's able to give her characters a strong voice. Another thing I loved was the historical aspect. Clare was able to tell a story about this world that she created and weave in bits of historical events that actually happened. That really created a good balance in the book.
In general, I'd recommend this to fans of Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and people new to her work. I think that the Infernal Devices series is a great companion series to the Mortal Instruments, and I may even like it better. I can't wait until Clockwork Prince's release.
As always, Clare creates these horrible villains and in depth protagonists. However, I was a bit disappointed to see some characters acted very (and I mean very) similarly to some of her Mortal Instruments characters. But other than that, I liked how Clockwork Angel was generally different from the Mortal Instruments. The main character, Tessa, goes to London to search for her brother, but instead discovers a hidden world. She learns pretty quickly, though, and is willing to do just about anything to find her brother.
The book is pretty fast paced. I liked how all the action scenes weren't squished together in the last fifty pages of the book and actually spread out throughout the book. Also, the writing style was pretty good. Cassandra Clare can really get inside the head of a teenager, so she's able to give her characters a strong voice. Another thing I loved was the historical aspect. Clare was able to tell a story about this world that she created and weave in bits of historical events that actually happened. That really created a good balance in the book.
In general, I'd recommend this to fans of Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and people new to her work. I think that the Infernal Devices series is a great companion series to the Mortal Instruments, and I may even like it better. I can't wait until Clockwork Prince's release.
I love this one, and I am so excited for Clockwork Prince!! Will = hot! :)
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Fuzzy.Coffee.Books
Haha, I agree! Though I can't decide which boy I like better.. :3
ReplyDeleteEven though the plots are indendent of one another, there will be some elements of the infernal devices series that would be unexplained otherwise. If you love Stephenie Meyers', Sally Gardner's and/or Maggie Stiefvator's writing you will absolutely adore Cassandra Clare's. I cannot wait for the release date.
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