Review: Clockwork Angel

by Cassandra Clare
publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
date published: August 31, 2010
format: hardcover
pages: 478
source: library
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 YA Reading Challenge

From Goodreads:

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

If I had to pick one word to describe Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, that word would be "amazing." From the very first page I was riveted. The characters came to life in such a manner that I could almost put voices to the dialog in my head as I read the book. The prose was very well done and included themes ranging from horror to comedy. In fact, I found myself gasping or laughing out loud on more than one occasion, much to my husband's bafflement.

The characters were so well formed that they each kept me guessing, which I love. It isn't often that I come across characters that are so far from being predictable. I didn't have to worry at all about prematurely figuring out what was going to happen. I love sharp plot twists and surprises in books, so I was very much satisfied by this one. As to the characters, themselves, I couldn't get enough. Will was my favorite simply by making me laugh the most, but I really grew to like Tessa once she got past her "girls can't do that!" phase. Jem was also endearing due to his patience and subtle humor. The villains were so well-written that I actually grew angry with them. It made me very nervous to read their schemes and the import of what they would do to the protagonists.

I found Clockwork Angel to be so fantastic that I can not wait to get my own copy to read over and over. I will be sad to return this book to the library. I am very much looking forward to the release of Clockwork Prince on December 6, which will make a fabulous belated birthday present for me. I can almost guarantee that The Infernal Devices will grow to be one of my favorite series and I can't wait to read every single one as they are released. As for Clockwork Angel, I gladly give it 5 hoots!