Review ~ Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

My friend Chanzie over @ Mean Who You Are and I decided to recommend some great 5 Star books to one another to read and review for ourselves. This month I read Clockwork Angel and will continue to read the following two books in the series.

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Genre: YA Paranormal/Steampunk
Published: August 31st 2010








In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them....
It has been a while since I read The Mortal Instruments books, so after a little persuasion from a fellow book reader, I decided to pick up this series to see what happened a little earlier in time. I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed it; it was set in the late 1800’s, focuses around paranormal but has a slight steampunk edge.

Tessa is one of the main characters in Clockwork Angel; and this book is about her and the people who help her. She arrived in London as a normal girl, but soon realises that she is more than that. She is held captive and forced to Change. She didn’t know that she could Change prior to arriving and is only doing so because her brother’s life depends on it. Soon she is rescued and is thrown into the world of Shadowhunters and their role in the paranormal world. Together with their help, she plans to find her brother and start their lives again. But things are more complicated than she thought.

I liked Tessa… She has a kind heart and truly cares for her brother. She quickly builds friendships with the Shadowhunters and is willing to step up to help rescue her brother, even if it means using the new gift she despises!! The other characters are great too. Jem has his own secrets but is a sweet guy. Will is a bit darker and mysterious, and has a witty edge. Both boys will defend Tessa no matter what. There is growing feelings between them all… But they deny them as much as possible.

I liked the world Cassandra has created; London in 1878, where the paranormal exists and the creation of clockwork people that normal humans don’t know about. It was believable, even down to some of the mannerisms, the clothing that is worn and deciding what a lady should or shouldn’t do. The magical aspect was fun too and seeing some characters that I have met in The Mortal Instruments was a pleasant surprise as well. I am looking forward to continuing the series!!

25 comments:

  1. Interesting I didn't realise it was set in the 1800s either! I actually haven't finished the other series yet, but one of my friends said it was best to finish that before starting this one. I love the idea that it has a steampunk feel to it, I can't wait to actually start this one now!!

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  2. I've always meant to read the MI series and then this, but haven't. Part of me feels hopeless, I never get them read. I really, really want to though!

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  3. I'm glad that enjoyed this one, I did too. I still have to read the last book. :)

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  4. I have this but haven't started it yet. Everything about it sounds exciting. It's always fun when the author surprises you with beloved characters from another series. Makes them that much more genuine. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  5. I haven't read the books, but I have heard of the author. There are so many books I want to read, I would have to be a vampire to get to all of them and I think I would still come up short. Great idea recommending books to each other. I will be looking for the other reviews.

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  6. I hope I can eventually get to this series, it does sound so well done.

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  7. I have the whole MI set on the shelf but kinda like Christy. It's just overwhelming some days thinking about ALL the books you want to read. Glad to see you enjoyed these. I'm thinking the setting for them would so suit me :)

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  8. Well, I guess I'm going to have to pick up this series (off my bookshelf ;) and give it a go, Naomi. It sounds as though Ms. Clare's worldbuilding is equally as good in this series as it was in TMI. Plus, I've heard so many great things about Tessa, Jem and Will. I'm glad you enjoyed Clockwork Angel. :)

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  9. A lot of the people in this series are related to the ones in TMI series, so it's funny to think they produced the terrors in that series!! lol I'm waiting for the final book in TMI series myself.

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  10. I know.... lucky Chanzie pushed me to read this one, cos it's been on the TBR pile for a long time!

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  11. I grabbed the 3 books from the library... so I need to get onto it and finish them!

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  12. Thanks!! Yes, I like those little surprises too!! Thanks for stopping by!!

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  13. Tell me about it!! my TBR pile is turning into a mountain!! We are having fun with it, for sure!

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  14. It is well done and I like the characters... the next book will be interesting!!

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  15. I know.... I read the MI books before I started blogging, so I kinda breezed through them. It's a little harder now to do that!

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  16. I know!! I love the characters... all grown up before they should have and have plenty of skeletons in the closet!!

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  17. I am waiting for the final MI book myself, but I have enjoyed reading this series anyway. I'll have to get into it and read the next book!!

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  18. Gah yep I know that. I was looking over my Goodreads numbers and when I got into blogging it cut my reading rate in about half. O.o

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  19. This reminds me that I need to make it a priority to read the second book in The Mortal Instruments series. It seems like a lot of people have enjoyed The Infernal Devices series even more than the original!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  20. eh.... I think I enjoy the Mortal Instruments one more at the moment... but I will keep reading and see how I feel!

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  21. Hmmm.... I'd agree with that. I think mine has too.

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  22. I am so excited that you enjoyed this book :) I am totally Team Jem and loved Cassie's writing and world building. My aim this Autumn is to finish TMI too in time for the last book :) this was such a fun challenge and I am so happy you were up for it with me! Discovering new books and dusting off the ones that have been on the shelf too long. Your gift is in the mail as we speak!!

    Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.

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  23. I like Jem too.... he is so sweet! I still have the next books, so I want to finish them over the next few months. Thanks girl!

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  24. Itara @ My Midnight FantasiesMarch 27, 2014 at 4:30 AM

    I'm so happy you liked this book! I've had it for awhile but Idk why I haven't read it. I have the whole series, so I really don't know what I'm waiting for lol. I love that there's a love tringle, it's my kind of thing, most of the time I know who the girl will chose but I always go back & forth to keep it interesting.

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  25. I don't mind a triangle at all either... I like to be kept guessing and picking traits from both characters. I agree... it certainly keeps things interesting. I hope to read the next two books soon!

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