Clockwork Angel, Cassandra ClareGenre: Supernatural/Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
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: Jem, 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: Jem, 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 really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, just as I knew I would having devoured all three of Clare's books in the Mortal Instrument series (although Clockwork Angel is being touted as a "prequel" to the Mortal Instruments series the only real connection seems to be the continuing mythology and lore of the shadowhunters, although it is possible that the following books will build on this.) First of all, I loved that it was set in Victorian England. I'm a sucker for any kind of historical fiction and outside of the glitzy 1920's of flappers and prohibition, Victorian England is a favorite time period. I thought Clare developed the gloomy, cold, gray world of London to perfection and I found I was constantly cold while reading as a result (there's literary realism for you.) The book is action packed and offers a satisfying cocktail of action, character development, and unexpected plot twists (one was particularly shocking, although I wouldn't dare spoil you.) Clare continues to create a fully formed dark underworld of the supernatural variety, peppered with warlocks and vampires (and for those who have read the M.I. series, Magnus Bane makes a surprising appearance.) It should be noted that Clockwork Angel is darker and more violent than the M.I. series, and is not for the squeamish. I found myself particularly unnerved by the automatons and their eeriry hybrid machine/human form.)
Although Clockwork Angel is a truly enjoyable read, at times I found Tessa grating, particularly her internal monologue and I wished she was a stronger character. Additionally, my only other issue was the "love triangle" glorified on the cover flap. I simply could not see WHY Tessa would want to be with Will (beyond his luminous beauty) and the relationship between Jem and Tessa seemed more "friends" and "true love." There also was no real conflict or drama between the two boys over Tessa. It was more Jem acting like a friend/human being and Will kissing her passionately one moment and insulting her/refusing to speak with her the next. Don't get me wrong, I like the tortured bad boy with a mysterious past as much as the next girl, but we never had a chance to understand why Will was the way he was. My hope for the next book is that the love triangle is either fleshed out further or there is a very good explanation for Will's hot/cold behavior (or you know, both.) The cliffhanger ending leads me to believe Clare is planning on exploring Will and his dark secrets, so I have hope that he can be redeemed as a character I can root for. I'm already anxiously waiting for book 2's arrival!
