Steve Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Aug 15, 2010 by shanyn

Title: Clockwork Angel
Hardcover, 496 pages
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Publication Date: August 31, 2010

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Book Summary:
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.

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Steve Review:
Hahah. I have to start this review off with a laugh. In my last review of a Cass Clare book (found here) I was a bit harsh. It was more of a general rant on how all good books these days are being made into a series and how the authors worth reading seem to keep churning out very similar works with very similar plots. Well the reason that this whole review started off with a laugh was because I owe Ms. Clare an apology. My previously felt, slightly bitter feelings toward her (due to the announcement that spin off prequel type series would be coming out shortly, ie the review you are currently reading!), have been totally reversed!

I’m not sure if it was the month break between reading that series and this novel, or what changed exactly. But when I started reading Clockwork Angel I felt like I was coming home. Sure, the setting is different, new characters, and new problems, but the overall realm is the same and it was a good feeling to pick up something familiar. The plot was pretty good, the London setting was a nice (albeit dreary weather-wise) change of pace, but of course what hooked me? The characters, people! Tessa is the main character, and she’s similar to her predecessor Clary in a lot of ways. She discovers that she has abilities, she discovers that there is a magic world, etc. But Tessa isn’t a shadowhunter. And Will, the male lead, certainly is not Jace. The familiar love triangles crop up, but the real feelings of caring (and hurt) between the characters are ever present in this book.

So, there you have it, I apologize to Ms. Clare. She should absolutely continue writing this series, because I will continue to read it. In fact, I think I like this book better than I did any of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. Yeah, I said it! Let’s see if the points scale proves that?

Book Cover: 3/5 – I like the little clockwork angel, but the rest of it is meh.
Book Title: 5/5 – I like the clockwork angel theme. That sounds familiar? Oh yeah, I typed that .25 inches above.
Plot: 8/10 – Familiar elements with a new setting and new problems. Very interesting how similar and yet intriguing at the same time it can be.
Characters: 9/10 – Tessa is a cool girl, I like that she is 1800′s style, and the drama with Will and Jem is great.
Writing: 8/10 – Had me at “/insert first line of the book here.”
Ending: 8/10 – Bit of expected suspense, little to no resolutions, and you can’t help but want more.

Total: 41/50 – Haha, the points scale failed to prove that I liked it better. The previous scores for the Mortal Instruments trilogy were 41,39,41 respectively. So, looks like you are going to have to believe me when I say that I like it better! If you like YA or fantasy go get this book ASAP, even if you haven’t read the original trilogy. Can’t wait for the rest of this Infernal Devices series.

Related Posts:

• Steve Review: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
• Steve Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
• Steve Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
• Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
• Steve Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare