Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: September 6, 2009

Rating: 3.5 Stars

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

Not exactly sure how to rate this. On the one hand the book had that quality to it where it would just suck you in and time would fly away from you. But on the other hand, I had a few issues with it.

I liked all the characters. Tessa was an awesome heroine. For a Victorian lady who doesn't actually know how to fight she can still kick some ass. More I might add than quite a few heroines out there. Will and Jem, loved them both. Even though, yes Will was an ass like 90% of the time. He was too funny for me to actually no like him. And Jem is just a sweetheart. As for secondary characters they were all very nicely fleshed out, even those that had very small 'screen' time, they were still a full on person. I think the character I liked least was Jessamine she rubbed me the wrong way the whole way through. I just didn't like her at all. The stuff that she would come up with was astounding.

Plotwise, I don't know. I mean it was good, but at the same time predictable. I knew who the bad guy was from the first moment we meet him and the rest just followed a certain formula, a complicated and twisty one, but one I could predict and follow the whole way through. Again, not bad, but not great either. There was still enough action/drama to keep me fully engrossed. I really liked the steam-punk elements in this one. They were very well done, and it just somehow came out as if it was something that was perfectly normal of that time.

I had a few tiny issues that still managed to irritate me, and unfortunately one of the bigger ones was towards the end therefore it ended on a sour note. I didn't like the repetition. The constant statements about the names and proper ladylike behavior. I understand it was needed for that era, but it was the constant drivel about it that started getting on my nerves after some time. And my problem towards the end was that (view spoiler)

If it hadn't been for those little problems this would have gotten a solid 4 stars and probably even higher, but as it is, it gets the 3.5. Now for Clockwork Prince!

***

Other books in the series:

1. Clockwork Angel
2. Clockwork Prince (November 29, 2011)
3. Clockwork Princess (March 19, 2013)

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