Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices-Book 1) by Cassandra Clare
Young Adult Fantasy
August 31, 2010
Hardcover, 496 Pages
Simon and Schuster

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “It’s all right to love someone who doesn’t love you back, as long as they’re worth you loving them. As long as they deserve it.”

When Tessa Grey arrives in London in search of her brother Nate she is greeted by a pair of sisters who claim to have been sent to her by her brother as escorts. Tessa soon realizes that she has been kidnapped with no hope of escape. Forced to acknowledge and use magic she did not know she possessed, she is informed she is being trained for marriage to the infamous “Magister.”

She is rescued by two young Shadowhunters, Will and Jem, and soon forcefully introduced to a world that she never knew existed. Magic and supernatural creatures all co-exist together in this shadowy “downworld” of London, England-policed by the Shadowhunters. Invited to stay with them at their home, the Institute, while trying to locate her brother, she learns more about her particular brand of magic and why she is so valuable to this world.

Clockwork Angel is a prequel to Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. Set in a different era, we are given the chance to see how the world we loved in Mortal Instruments came to be. There is not a lot of differences between the two series but enough minute deviations to render Clockwork Angel interesting enough to stand on it’s own. What really stood out for me was how much more “modern” and mature these characters are in relation to her MI series. Set in a dark and transverse Victorian era we don’t see the stereotypical gender attitudes and prejudices of this time. Tessa is refreshingly astute in her thoughts and while she does display some pre conceived notions of how men & women should act, she accepts and adapts brilliantly to the nature of the Shadowhunters and their personalities.

Tessa’s “love interests” Will and Jem add tension and delish emotional angst to the story. Will comes off as a “jaded bad boy” whom you know you should stay away from but, like a magnet, you are hopelessly drawn to him. Tessa gives as good as she gets but in a gentle way that reminds Will of what he was before this all started. You can see where this is all going but the journey promises to be a thrilling one. They maintain an uneasy truce of sorts that features delightful tongue in cheek commentary.

"A little girl robbed you?" Tessa said.

"Actually, she wasn’t a little girl at all, as it turns out, but a midget in a dress with a penchant for violence, who goes by the name of Six-Fingered Nigel."

“I want to be back by dark before dark, “ Will said. “I have an assignation in Soho this evening with a certain attractive someone.”

“Goodness,“ Tessa said…”If you keep seeing Six-Fingered Nigel like this, he’ll expect you to declare your intentions.”

Jem is the opposite of Will, which explains their friendship in many ways. Jem is Will’s unspoken conscience. He is kind, polite, and possesses a wisdom far belaying his young age.

“You asked me why he tolerates me better then other people. I’d imagine it’s precisely because

I ‘ve never asked him why.”

I admit I am more then just curious to hear more about Henry’s and Charlotte’s relationship and to see where Jesse ends up in this series.

I enjoyed the random references and poetic flavorings that permeated this story. Although they don’t advance the story or plot in anyway, they do add insight to the characters themselves. Tessa and Will share a love of books though Will will not admit to this. The author uses these as a way to connect Tessa and Will in an emotional sense without any physical manifestations.

The plot is a mesmerizing maze of twists and turns that leave you guessing at each misdirected clue offered. You aren’t given the whole story in one setting, but rather eased back into this world and offered a different path to follow. As I said earlier, there is not a huge difference between this book and the Mortal Instruments series; but there is much to be said for familiarity in a story. I myself love when an author expands upon characters that I have bond with. I do hate to say goodbye. You have to read close and look beyond the mere “written word” here. There is much in this book that explains much in relation to the Mortal Instruments series if you choose to look

All in all, I enjoyed this first look at the beginnings of the Shadowhunters and will definitely read the second in this series-Clockwork Prince– which is set to release September 2011.

Rating: 4/5

Recent Reviews:
Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks – 4/5
Smash Attack Reads – 5/5
Page Turners – 5/5
Pure Imagination – 4/5

This series includes:
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince – September 2011

Cassandra Clare’s website.