Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare |

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (August 31, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1416975861
Source: BEA-from publisher

Sixteen-year old Tessa leaves her world behind in New York when she crosses the Atlantic to find her brother, Nate, in Victorian London. When she arrives, it’s not Nate waiting for her on the dock as she thought, but two women, promising to take her to her brother.

These women, known by many as the Dark Sisters, hold Tessa captive. She learns she has the ability to transform herself into another person and the Sisters have been taking advantage of this power. Tessa discovers that she is not human, but what is she? The Sisters prepare to present her to the Magistrate, the leader of the Pandemonium Club to which they all belong.

A completely different world within London is revealed to Tessa, a world of demons, vampires, & warlords. Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, warriors who protect humans (mundanes) from demons. Together they must find Nate and uncover what it is about Tessa that makes her so special, so different than others with her powers.

I’ve been a fan of Cassandra Clare’s writing since reading The Mortal Instruments. She always delivers compelling characters with layers upon layers of history & depth. The same rings true with Clockwork Angel. I’m quite found of YA books with strong female main characters. Tess, while weak and naive in the beginning quickly transforms into a strong young woman. To top it all off, Tessa is lover of books. How can you not love her!?

Her feelings are divided between two young men: James “Jem” a fragile, sensitive boy and Will, a moody, defensive brute who won’t let anyone get close to him. Both clearly have secrets, but Jem was more willing to reveal his than Will. I have to say I’m clearly rooting for Jem in this case!

As with the Mortal Instruments series Clare builds a completely dynamic and compelling setting. While it is set in Victorian London, some aspects are true to life while in others Clare adds a bit of creativity. In any case, be prepared to become enveloped in this world. The detailed, flowing prose will pull you in from the first few pages. While Clockwork Angel is just shy of 500 pages, you’ll be swept away and won’t notice the pages flying by.

Clockwork Angel is prequel of the Mortal Instruments series, so fans of the series should definitely check this one out. While I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series more than Clockwork Angel, it was exciting and to read more of Clare’s work and see where the series began. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series, aptly titled The Infernal Devices.

Following are a few of my favorite quotes from Clockwork Angel:

“One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

” Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature & poetry.” (pg 87 of ARC)

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