Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Original Publication Date: August 31, 2012
Format Read: paperback
Genre: YA Paranormal, YA Steampunk
Purchase: Amazon
Description from publisher:
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.
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.
The Infernal Devices is a prequel series to The Mortal Instrument Series, but you do NOT need to read The Mortal Instruments before delving into this series. It works just fine as a stand alone series. Part of the reason for this is Tessa. As an outsider who is naive to the Shadowhunter world, Cassandra Clare does an excellent job of using Tessa to introduce any new reader to what they need to know about the Shadowhunter world. As someone who has read the first three The Mortal Instruments, I did not find this information to be bothersome.
There are three main characters that you follow: Tessa, Jem, and Will. Tessa is unwillingly draw into the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders, when she is forced to discover her ability to transform/shape-shift into any person that she holds a person item from. Jem, a slightly reclusive Shadowhunter who has a love for books and music, but also happens to be sick. And Will, a Shadowhunter, who hides his true feelings and acts like a jerk to keep anyone from getting close to him.
I liked all of the good main characters and side characters. Although, I have to say my least favorite good character is Jessamine. Then you have a wide variety of bad guys, the main one being the mysterious Magister.
The above description of the book is an excellent one. We follow Tessa, Jem, and Will as Tessa is kidnapped, tortured, rescued, goes on a search to find her brother, and helps the Shadowhunters try to locate and defeat the Magister. The book is full of lots of twists and turns and a ton of action. You might guess some of the mysteries and not others. I had one figured out and missed the mark on another. Also, you WILL find out what Jem's sickness/disability is in this book (early in the book it was driving me crazy not knowing, but you will find out).
I liked this book enough to continue with the series at somepoint. I also would recommend it to friends and family, if this type of book was their thing.
My Rating: 
