Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices #1

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.

I really enjoyed Clare's Mortal Instruments series, so I figured I would give this prequel series a try. It caught me off guard, however, as it really wasn't much like any of the Mortal Instruments books. This book is set in the 1800s, and seemed very accurate to the time period. I found the entire book fascinating, and the differences in culture are amazing. The humor is very dry and everything is so very formal. I cannot imagine what it must have been to live in such a time period.

It seems the love triangle theme is making an appearance in this series as well. I'm not entirely sure whether or not Jem is really a candidate for Tessa's affections, as he hasn't said anything of the sort, but I do get the feeling there is something there. He is so kind and caring and the only one who can even remotely deal with Will. I think we have only begun to see the true kindness and caring, and I can only hope there is a possibility of that being directed towards Tessa.

On the other end of the spectrum of Jem's personality is Will. Will reminds me slightly of Jace's character from The Mortal Instruments, but not enough to completely excuse his rudeness. Jace wasn't ever really overtly rude, sarcastic yes, but he still was mostly respectful of those deserving it. Will on the other hand behaves absurdly. However, for a few brief moments in the book his gruff armor cracks and we get a glimpse of some part of him that he's kept locked away. I'm going to reserve my final judgment on him for now, because I do not want to harshly judge him without all the facts, but the way he treated Tessa at the end was horrible. I only hope that the is some good excuse for this major character flaw.

I really enjoyed this book, which actually surprised me after I realized it wasn't what I expected. I came into it thinking it would be just like The Mortal Instruments books, which of course it isn't. I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but this one was quite impressive, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Tessa as she finds out the truth in her heritage.

Rating:

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Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)