Thursday, August 26, 2010

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Published: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Summary: 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: Jem, 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 Review: I admit, this was my first ever Cassandra Clare novel. I’ve always been intrigued by her work, but never picked any up to read. But after completing Clockwork Angel and loving it, the rest of Cassandra Clares’ novels are on my “must-read” list.
First off, the cover of this book pulls the readers in right away. It has mystery, fantasy, and lets face it, a good looking Victorian gentleman that is a huge pre-cursor that there will definitely be some good looking male characters.
From the first page to the last page the attention to detail is phenomenal. Cassandra Clare knows how to make the readers feel as if they are walking through the streets of London with Tessa and Jem, or walking through the Institute with Tessa and Sophie. Readers can see what the characters see, smell what the characters smell; it feels as if we are in London in the Victorian era. And any author who can pull the readers in like that knows how to write.
The characters…oh the characters! The readers can’t help but love the characters. When we first meet Tessa we feel sorry for her, being taken to the Dark Sisters house and used to practise her ability over and over. But the sympathy we feel for her soon fades when we see just how truly strong she is. Then we have Jem and Will and instantly we are connected to them. Will, the arrogant, stubborn guy who is hiding a secret from everyone, and Jem, the respectable gentleman. Readers can’t help but to laugh at Wills ability to think that all women adore him (and to be honest we certainly do adore him). And we are definitely swooning over Jem and his honesty, his graciousness and good manners. We do meet a lot more review-worthy characters such as Charlotte and her kick-butt strength. Henry and his funny antics and inventions, Jessamine with her care-free attitude, though she definitely isn’t that care-free at all.
The story line was easy enough to follow. It kept me on the edge of my seat with every page, and had me yearning for more. (Even at 1:30am when I should have been sleeping) Overall, this book was a great book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good read!

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