Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Release Date: August 31 2010

My Source: Bought
My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Summary:

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.

This was the start of another fantastic series by Cassandra Clare. It's the prequel to The Mortal Instruments series, which I really loved. The best part about this book was that no matter where I was, I could pick up this book and instantly get lost in it. It was nearly impossible to put down, and I felt so attatched to the characters as I was reading it. There was not a moment I felt was slow or boring. It just kept going. I love Clare's fantasy world of Shadow Hunters and Downworlders (you'll have to read the book to get all of the details). The fantasy is so rich and detailed and I really enjoy reading about it in TMI, and again in this new series. It's so facinating I just couldn't stop reading!

People are going to and already have been comparing Clockwork Angel to TMI series. I'll admit, once I finish the book and think about it again, I realize there are a lot of similaries, but it didn't bother me at all while I was reading it. A lot of the characters easily match up to having similar personality descriptions to those of Clare's previous series, but they were in a different setting, so I think it was different enough. I actually found I liked Tessa a lot more than Clary, she's a bit tougher, and there were things about Clary I disliked, though I can't give them away unless you've read that series first.

Will and Jem were both amazing guy characters. They were very, very different, but still good friends. Tessa's relationship with each of them was different, but I enjoyed hearing about both of them. I don't even know which one I would rather Tessa be with. I can't wait to find out more about them later in the series!

I would recommend you read the City of Bones series before reading Clockwork Angel, but it's not required. You could read The Infernal Devices without any prior knowledge of TMI and it might be a completely different experience than I had, but it would still be just as good. I was surprised that it took me two weeks to get through this book because it was so good, just it was long and I read a couple other short books in between. Looking back it amazes me why I ever put this book down even for a second! I loved it, and I will continue to read anything Cassandra Clare writes because she's an amazing writer!