Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)By Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
To Sum It Up:
In 1878, Tessa Gray leaves New York to join her brother in England. Little does she know that danger awaits her in the form of the Dark Sisters, who take Tessa captive and force her to use the shape-shifting power she had no idea she possessed. The sisters claim to be preparing her for her marriage to the mysterious Magister, the head of the equally mysterious Pandemonium Club. Fortunately, Tessa is rescued by the Shadowhunters, beings with extraordinary abilities that aid them in their primary purpose—to protect the world from demons. Tessa agrees to assist the Shadowhunters with their investigation into the Pandemonium Club in exchange for their help in locating her missing brother. She also hopes to discover why she is able to do what she can because not even the Shadowhunters have encountered someone with her power before.
Review:
I first read Clockwork Angel almost two years ago after reading books one through four of Cassandra Clare’s modern day Shadowhunter series, The Mortal Instruments. At the time, I preferred Clockwork Angel over the TMI books, and rereading it has only solidified that opinion. Many times over. I just love the combination of the Victorian London setting and the world of the Shadowhunters. Everything that I love about the latter—their angelic origin, their superhuman abilities, and their badass demon-killing skills—is seamlessly integrated into a time period that I’ve always found fascinating. With so many of my favorite bookish elements present here, Clockwork Angel really can't put a foot wrong in my eyes. And it doesn’t.Reviewing this book following a reread feels a little weird to me, maybe because I already knew what was going to happen as well as what to expect from the sequel, Clockwork Prince. Plus, it’s a challenge for me to write about why I obsess over this series so much. It’s one of those things that simply is. So, I’ll try to keep my gushing to a minimum, but I guarantee nothing.
For me, one of the biggest differences between The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments is the heroines. I like Tessa much more than I like TMI’s Clary Fray, who makes rash decisions once too often for my liking. Tessa has a steadier head on her shoulders. Although she receives the worst welcome ever upon her arrival in England, she finds a way to survive yet another day in the horrible Dark Sisters’ house. If anybody had a reason to lose herself in her sorrows, it’d be Tessa, but she doesn’t. Once she’s freed from that nightmarish place, she’s wary of being used again for her shape-shifting power, this time by her rescuers, the Shadowhunters, and is reluctant to accept any charity from them. Clare gives her heroine a nice balance of character traits; Tessa is strong and independent yet not unrealistically so for a young woman of that time period.
Whereas I’m not all that interested in all of TMI’s secondary characters (the roster of which seems to expand with every installment), I’m quite attached to the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. They truly are like a family. I love how eccentric yet brilliant Henry is. I admire Charlotte for her courage and strength. In name, she and Henry co-head the London Institute, but while Henry spends all his time tinkering with his inventions, it’s really Charlotte who oversees the day-to-day operation of the Institute. Not everyone in the Clave likes the idea of a woman in a position of authority, but Charlotte is an excellent leader and also a kind mother figure to the underage Shadowhunters in the Institute’s care. These include Jessamine, who is the only member of the group I can’t stand. She despises everything about being a Shadowhunter and wants to find a mundane (human) husband so she can turn her back on the Nephilim forever. Jessie is so shallow and selfish, and I don’t understand why she doesn’t want to be a Shadowhunter. I’d gladly take her place if it were possible!
And then we have the boys. William Herondale and James Carstairs. Never, ever, have I loved two guys in the same YA book as much as I love these two. Will’s incessant sarcasm just slays me. His brand of wit may not be for everyone, but it’s exactly my thing. See, I have a weakness for snarky lads, even more of one for snarky lads with English accents. Mr. Herondale has cast quite a spell on me, but it’s not only because of his way with words and his dreamy looks. Will’s brother-like devotion to his best friend, Jem, is beyond superlatives. He would do anything for Jem, and vice versa. Jem is the perfect gentleman that Will often is not. Jem always seems to know the right thing to say, and he’s the only one who can occasionally talk some sense into Will. There’s this quiet intensity to Jem; his poor health makes him appear so fragile, yet when the Shadowhunters go into battle, he’s right there in the thick of the action. Will and Jem could not be more dissimilar in temperament, but that’s probably why they are the absolute best of friends. Their bond, which is infinite in depth, is, to me, what makes this book and this series so utterly, utterly mesmerizing to read.
I’d forgotten how dark the tone of Clockwork Angel could be. The clockwork automatons are super creepy, and the manner in which some of their parts have been obtained is downright chilling. There’s also a fancy soirée filled with vampires, and they’re not of the sparkly variety. They don’t have time for that because they’re too busy sizing up their next meal. In Clockwork Angel, you’ve got paranormal creatures of just about every sort, snappy dialogue that’s even more impressive because it still sounds in keeping with the times, not one but two swoon-worthy boys, and, for good measure, some steampunk. Really, there isn’t much more I could have asked for in a novel, except perhaps for this world to be real so I could travel back in time and be a part of it.
All in All:
Yeah, I loved this book. A lot.
