Book Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)
How I got the Book: I bought It
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: 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.
Review:
I like the world that Cassandra Clare built. It started in the Mortal Instruments Trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass)
The Good:
Cassandra Clare writes well. She knows how to weave a story very well and it’s very interesting. she’s also able to write really good action scenes which I love. There was a good amount of action and danger, suspense and a little bit of gory-ness. I loved the world and it felt like a warm blanket returning to it. The plot becomes engrossing and there are many surprises around the proverbial corner.
The Bad (Or Not So Great)
I felt in some ways like I read this story already, in the Mortal Instruments. I felt the flow, the actions, although different, had the same flavor of the Mortal Instruments. I felt the overall events were very similar. Personally, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I felt Jem and Will were synonymous with Jace and Simon (from the mortal instruments) and Tessa was somewhat similar to Clare.
The only instance when I like Old London is in the Sherlock Holmes movie. It doesn’t fascinate me. All I feel is dank-ness, rainy and smelly and this was represented accurately in Clockwork Angels. So, the runs through the city and extensive descriptions weren’t enjoyable.
The blurb talks about love, but I don’t know what love they are talking about. I know a romantic story is trying to develop between Will and Tessa but it’s not there yet and it’s no where near enough to exist on the blurb. I even think the relationship between Tessa and Will was a little forced.
Lastly, there was a long stretch of the book that was sooooo loooonggg. It felt like filler to get to the end. The end was phenomenal. What I was waiting for through the middle of the book. That is why I love Cassandra Clare, she knows how to write great climax scenes with lots of OMG moments.
Verdict
If you like a good urban fantasy story with a touch of Gore (There were many gory parts that bordered on horror) you’ll love The Infernal Devices. The beginning of the book was great and the ending of the book was phenomenal. That’s why I give this book a 3.75 star rating. I will read the other books in the trilogy to know what happens .