Thursday, January 31, 2013

Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Clockwork Series Book 1

3 stars
Quick Overview:
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.

What I Thought: 
   Honestly, I got this book to have something for Cassandra Clare to sign at the YALL Fest this past November. I didn't own any of the Mortal Instruments, so I bought Clockwork Angel from a small, used bookstore in my town. I wasn't sure about it when I was buying it, as I prefer modern or dystopian books. However, I was pleasantly suprised.
   The story follows Tessa Gray, a girl who had no clue she could do anything supernatural, as she learns more about her powers and the world of Shadowhunters. We even meet some characters mentioned in the Mortal Instruments series, such as Will, but also some of its main characters, like Magnus and Camille. 
   I did get bored in a few parts of it, but I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it. If you have read the Mortal Instruments series, I would highly recommend reading "Clockwork Angel". If you haven't yet, I would recommend both series and encourage you to read the Mortal Instruments first. I think it is kind of fun to have that "oh!" moment when you fit the two series together. 
   I gave "Clockwork Angel" 3 stars because it was really fascinating to read, but I did get bored a little bit when reading it. I still recommend it, but only after you read the Mortal Instruments. And don't forget to check out Cassandra Clare's new series, The Dark Artifices, expected to be released in 2015! (So far away...)

1 comment:

  1. I was really surprised by how much I liked Clockwork Angel too. I think I may have liked it more than the Mortal Instruments books even, but I do agree that it tended to drag in some places (I thought that of TMI books too, though). And I cannot wait for The Dark Artifices! I'm not sure what to expect, but I think it will be good.

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