Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 476
Publisher: McElderry Books
Rating: 5/5
Summary from Goodreads:
"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."
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."
I was hesitant at first to read Clockwork Angel because I had read the first book in Clare's Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones, and I had not cared for it as much as it seemed everyone else had. The hype surrounding Clare and her books was very off putting to me. However, once I decided to pick up this book I couldn't put it down.
What I really enjoyed was the fact that there was such a twist in the plot. Clare did such a good job keeping everything hidden that I honestly did not know who the real villain was until the end! She set up a whole elaborate plot for the characters to follow when in all actuality they were just chasing a story. You never saw the real bad guys for who they were until the end. Most books you read it is very easy to pick out who the villain is or it is just told you up front. No surprises. But Clare kept the reader thinking and engaged in the story. There was never a dull moment.
Also, Clare did an amazing job mixing the aspects of fantasy such as the clockwork creatures and the supernatural beings with the reality of London in the 1800's. You would have thought Clare had been alive during that time herself she did such a magnificent job weaving the two worlds together.
All in all I found Clockwork Angel to be a surprisingly good read. It was compelling, witty, and action filled. The characters are endearing and the plot takes you for a wild ride that you don't ever want to end.
I was worried about all the hype, too. But I have some friends that really love it. I haven't yet read the series, but I'm hoping to! Great review!
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