Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
12:00 PM
Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release Date: August 31, 2010 (hardcover)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 496
Source: Bought
Overall: 5 Stars
Summary:
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.
My Thoughts:
I am amazed once again by the awesomeness that is Cassandra Clare and her writing! Clockwork Angel was easily one of my anticipated reads of the year and did I think it lived up to my ridiculously high expectations? Why, yes I did!!
It's 1878 and Tessa Gray arrives in London, England to live with her older brother, Nathanial, only to be kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters who are member of the exclusive Pandemonium Club. While captive, Tessa Gray learns she's not as normal as she's always believed and in fact, she's not even human- she's an extremely rare form of Downworlder who can change her shape into other people both dead and alive. It's this gift that has the Magister, the head of the club, interested in using her abilities. Rescue comes in the form of the young Shadowhunter Will Herondale and suddenly, Tessa finds herself in a dangerous new world where even her heart is at stake. If Tessa ever wants to find her brother again, she's going to have to team up with the Shadowhunters for answers.
Cassandra Clare takes on us on another action-packed, wild thrill ride... transporting readers back in time to Victorian England! Clare captures the social roles at the time perfectly- etiquette, the formal way of speaking, the expectations of genders at the time- everything. Women were not expected to be strong, capable fighters but Clare easily challenges this with characters such as Tessa and Charlotte, the head of the London Institute, who both hold their own against the male leads, Will and Jem. The cast of characters Clare introduces easily each stand out with their individuality.
Team Will or Team Jem? I can't decide! I couldn't help but compare Will to Jace from the MI series but that's alright because I love both guys. Will's sarcastic sense of humour coupled with his wicked good looks will leave you swooning. But wait, there's also the kind Jem who knows exactly how to always make Tessa feel comfortable in this new world that she suddenly feels herself thrown into.
And if great characters weren't enough, Clockwork Angel seems to come to life before your very eyes! Clare's attention to detail simulates vivid images of the scenes with her wonderful descriptions of the setting. There's also plenty of twists and turns that will leave you leaning off the edge of your seat and always guessing just what's going to happen next!
Mortal Instruments fans are sure to love Clockwork Angel, the first in The Infernal Devices prequel trilogy, and new readers will clearly be able to understand what's happening if you haven't read the MI books as there is a brief overview of the roles of Shadowhunters. If you still haven't checked out a novel by Cassandra Clare... what are you waiting for?
I can't wait for the adventure and romance to continue in Clockwork Prince, due out September 2011.
4 comments
Great review! I enjoyed Clockwork Angel a lot even though I thought the characters paralleled those of TMI a bit much :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one well oiled review. I really loved it!
ReplyDeleteMy book came in the mail yesterday and I hope to get it started and read by this weekend. If I could hardly wait before you really have me jumping out of my skin to get this book read.
Black Disaster Fairy
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I can tell you really loved this one but waiting a whole year for the next one is excruciating.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to read this book, thanks for the wonderful review. I'm even more anxious than I was yesterday for this book and that's saying something. =)
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