Monday, September 6, 2010

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
(The Infernal Devices #1)


Released: August 2010
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Series
Pages: 496
Source: Traveling ARC Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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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I honestly don't know how to start this review without gushing like a mad woman. Please excuse how rambly this review is going to be. I can't help it guys.

There is something you need to know about me as a reader. I do not like historical books. I know. I know. I'm sure I'm missing out on some wonderful and fascinating book because of my snobish attitude towards anything...well, historical, but I just can't get into them! So when I heard that Cassandra was making a whole new series of Shadowhunters, I was exstatic! When I heard it was going to be set in back in the London I kind of went meh.

But I knew I could not be a book snob because c'mon, it's the prequel to THE MORTAL INSTRUMENT SERIES! One of the best series I have ever read! Sure there is no hotness that is Jace running around, but there was no way I could turn up my nose. So I dove into the book and was blown away, once again with Cassandra Clare's wonderful imagination and amazing writing.

The formula for Clockwork Angel is a bit familiar. Teenage girl, secret about her family, falls into the hands of the Shadowhunters, etc but I still devoured each and every page. I loved Tessa. She was so quietly strong and so brave right from the beginning. The way Cassandra writes, I could imagine everything from the Dark sisters to historical London right after the second or third chapter. One thing that I loved was when I thought the story was going one way, suddenly there was this twist that made it much more interesting than it had been before.

Now for my discussion of the boys. Will is a pompous ass. He's rude, stubborn, and so cocky you just want to smack the smart ass right out of him. Jem is a doll. He's sweet, caring, and you can tell has this wonderful genuine heart. The thing about Jem is - he's boring to me. I like my boys with layers and mystery, and that's why I am Team Will in this series. Saying that, you might be a bit surprised with my next line: Even though I love Will, I don't want him to be with Tessa. Yep, that's right. I said it. I don't want them together because even though sometimes a cocky bad boy just needs a sweet girl to come along to pull them out of their jerkface ways, I want her with Jem. They're just perfect for one another...at least for now. Ask me my opinion in the next book, and it might be singing a new tune.

So basically, I loved this. The world of the Shadowhunters is one of the best things ever created, and I am so glad we will be getting more and more of it throughout the years. If you haven't even picked up either series yet, you're insane, go get it now!

♥amber

14 comments:

brandileigh2003 said...

Great review! I loved this book and can't wait for the next.

Sab H. said...

Well said. I like your boy point. I would be Team Will for myself, too. I would kick that stupid attitude right out of him. While I... ejem, well, I mean you're right. But that's not Tessa's nature, just mine. SO yeah, that's why I'm Team Jem. We somewhat agree once again! :P

Great review! Glad you're back to the land of the living :)

girlsinthestacks.com said...

You are right, very familiar story. But that didnt stop me from devouring it in one night.

Oh, I think this is better than the MI series *ducking head* I think the setting adds much more to the story.

ally said...

I couldn't agree more... I've never read (nor do I want to read) a historical novel but THIS ONE just knocked my socks off (which is why I won't even consider it as a historical novel).

As for the pairings, I'm really trying to keep good thoughts about Will. That last chapter just did it for me. He was so MEAN! AGH! And Jem is so all around sweet that I really do hope he gets Tessa in the end. Until further notice, I'm on Team Jem. Let's hope Will can win me back soon :)

Anonymous said...

This isn't the sort of book I'd usually read, either. But all the rave reviews I've seen (now adding yours to the list!) are making me think I need to read it. I haven't even read the Mortal Instrument series. Um, maybe I should?

Just Your Typical Book Blog said...

girlsinstacks - Hey! That's okay lol The setting really did make the book for me so I can see why you loved it more than MI. But I just can't let go of Jace, lol

ally - You can have Jem *shoves him towards you*

alitareads - You've never read Mortal Instrument series? Oh honey, you are missing out! It's not necessary to read the first one to get this one so either one is great!

Unknown said...

I won this book from a contest around the blogospehere and can't wait to give it another try. I received it as part of a tour and couldn't really get into it, but that may could have been since I was at the beach :D

Ashley's Bookshelf

Rebecca said...

Great review. I haven't read any of these books yet. But I will one day. I just have to know, would you recommend reading the Mortal Instruments series before this one or is it ok to read this first?

prophecygirl said...

5 stars?! Oh hell yes! I'm glad you're a Mundie :D

Llehn said...

I agree that boys should be layered and have a mystery about them. The straightforward nice guy - don't get me wrong I love nice guys but just not in fiction - are just so bland.

Arjun said...

already read this - soo good - better than mortal instruments:)

Anonymous said...

I STILL haven't gotten this book! I sounds soooo amazing...but being Cassandra Clare, I'm not surprised! It's okay to gush, I'm sure I will be too! Great review!

Pokadots1121 said...

I have Clockwork Angel, but I've been too busy to read it. I really need to start it cause there has been awesome reviews about it.

ally said...

AHHH I won a hardcover copy of this last week which is awesome :P! I'll have an excuse to reread it just to see if anything changed from the ARC xD!

Also, I noticed in one of your later posts that Clockwork Prince comes out next year. Which. Is. Awesome. I don't know why I thought it'd come out later but YAY!