Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices (#1)
Publisher: McElderry Books
How Received: BEA 2010
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.
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The thing I love about Cassandra Clare's writing is that it's so easy to read.
If you ask me anything about her The Mortal Instruments series, I can't tell you a think. I think one character's name is Clary. That's about it. Please note that this is a book that I gave a 9/10 here on WORD and raved about; I don't remember a thing about it. Though good, it wasn't duly memorable - clearly.
Clockwork Angel is different. It's better. Not just because I like the time period or the characters, better, but simply because the plot and the characters are more memorable. (Perhaps because I like them better? Or because they're better written? I think the second.)
I loved Clockwork Angel to the point where I spent my time at work thinking about writing this review; it really was quite fantastic. Unlike some writers, Cassandra doesn't add unnecessary detail to her stories and she doesn't make them overdramatic. (Demon pox, anybody?!) It's easy to read and get sucked in simply because the story doesn't overwhelm you.
And then there are the wonderful cast of characters - Tess and Will and Jem and Jessamine and Sophie and Charlotte and Henry, whose names I all remember hours after reading the story. This is amazing. I never remember character names. They're all well developed and funny and intriguing in their own ways. Jessamine may be my favorite after Tess for the girls; I'm not sure yet.
The only thing I don't like is the love triangle that's coming. I knew it was going to happen - I had read reviews - and the set up for Jem x Tess x Will is as clear as day. The thing is, as much as it will be fun to read for most people, yadayada, it's not really necessary. I would MUCH rather read about Jem x Sophie and the problems with Will and Tess than see Tess struggle between two guys. Tess deserves better than that.
Though maybe it won't happen.
Oh, what am I kidding. It's gonna happen.
But I'll read it anyway.
Overall Rating & Final Comments: 10/10. Fantastic plot, remarkable characters, and easy to read.
Oh. I forgot to add that one of my favorite parts of the story is that Tess isn't spending the entire time fighting for TWU WUV. She's fighting for her brother. Familial love for the win.