Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 

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.

 My Thoughts:

Okay, this book is definitely interesting. At one point earlier in the week, I was sitting down and typing away when I thought: I have to keep reading Clockwork Angel. Why am  I wasting time doing this other stuff?

Yes, I craved to read that book (like a vampire thirsts for blood). Which is strange since I don't usually have that feeling. 

This feeling pervaded until I finished the book. I still want more of Cassandra Clare and her writing. 

Why?

Because she creates this world full of magic and mayhem that is just so believable that you want to keep reading and finding more about. Constantly, I was thinking of how my world building skills don't even come close to hers. But I will definitely work on it.

And of course, some other things (which I will discuss later on in the book review) kept my attention gripped and thirsting for more.

However, that doesn't mean I didn't have any issues with the book. 

The one problem I had that really kept annoying me (and maybe other readers had the same problem) is all of the description. I just skipped over paragraphs and paragraphs of description.

I would shudder to think about how much the editor had to cut from the original manuscript.

Anyway, let's dissect this sucker.

Characters: I have to say, the characters were well developed and well thought out. I don't think there was even one flat boring character in this book. 

That simply blows me away on so many different levels. It's really difficult to find an author who puts such effort and grace into creating 3-dimensional characters (main and side characters) like she did. She definitely gets an applause out of me for this one. I have no idea how she does it but bravo!

The character I really loved was Tessa. She shows so much strength and fiesty-ness for the main character from America but I can clearly see her faults. I almost laugh at her innocence in some ways but I find it refreshing that the character has a weak spot as far as experience. 

Additionally, I loved, loved, loved the fact that the characters quote out of books from that century. Ah, the inner English teacher is so happy to try to figure out where the quotes come from. It's a puzzle that I enjoy encountering every once in a while. 

Dialogue: I have to say most of the dialogue was very realistic, the only problem dialogue I had was with Will's.

I think at times I could tell with his voice when he's performing for the cameras and when he's his "real" self. I don't know if that's just me or if that was just what the author intended.

Either way, I won't knock her off for that. I could just be hearing things.

Overall, the dialogue was great and interesting.

Plot: There were some definite twists and turns I didn't see coming, especially in the beginning. I was like, "WHAT?!" And at the end I was like that too. A little bit. 

I figured out what was going on though at the end. But that could just be me. I didn't figure out before the characters though. I was like a few pages ahead of them but it wasn't SO obvious as to what was going on until everything kinda made sense with all of the foreshadowing and stuff. Then it hit me. 

So plot was good and artfully crafted. Not at all predicable!

Setting: Love, love LOVE the setting. It's like I was back into my historical romance novels, back into the old ways of romance and intrigue around every corner. Except in England with different accents.

I also loved the references that Tessa pulled that were from her time which really authenticated the setting even more.

Additionally, I think the author did a great job of explaining the way the world worked back then along with her paranormal twists. They fit perfectly at the period. 

Ending: Clare ended it marvelously, and I like in the epilogue there's a bit of a twist and a NO! feeling. I can't wait to see where Clare takes it.

Overall: Would I recommend this book?

Yes, for anybody who is sick and tired of Twilight.

Yes, for anybody who is looking for a challenging book without the really hard challenging part.

Yes for somebody who is tired of futuristic novels and such. 

I think it's a major yes for paranormal fans and for anybody who is looking for a book with some meat on its bones (a.k.a. thick book and well-thought out book).

Overall, I would recommend this to anybody who is looking for a good read.

Oh, and don't forget to read the second book of this series!

Read it and thank me later!