Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices, Book #1

By Cassandra Clare

ISBN# 9781534465961

Author’s Website: cassandraclare.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

*Beware of possible spoilers*

Tessa Gray was young when her parents died.  She and her brother, Nate, were mostly raised by their aunt.  However, when her aunt passed, it left Tessa alone with nothing to her name.  Fortunately, Nate sent for her to come stay with him in London soon after.  However, things were not as they seemed.

Once she had arrived in London, Tessa was kidnapped by the horrible Dark Sisters.  They unlocked something within Tessa that she never knew existed, the ability to change into other people.  Not only can she change into them, but to connect with the person.  To see their memories and hear their thoughts.  The Dark Sisters tell her how they are training her for the ominous sounding, Magister, her future husband.

Right before the Magister is set to come and claim her, Tessa is rescued by a young Shadowhunter, Will Herondale, with the help of his best friend, Jem.  They take her to the only place they know, The Institute.  There Tessa is safe and they set out to help her find her brother. 

The Shadowhunters have been investigating the Pandemonium Club, to which Nate was a member.  And, the Magister runs the show.

They must discover who the Magister is so they can stop his plan to destroy the Shadowhunters.  And, even more important to Tessa, they must save Nate from their evil clutches. 

I’m reading these books in the order recommended by the author, so I’m reading this one after the first three Mortal Instruments books.  It took me a little to get used to being well in the past from the Mortal Instruments books.  There is no Jace, but we have Will, his very distant ancestor.  Will does have the same draw and charisma as Jace, but seems to be a bit harder for those around him to read.  I kept trying to figure out how all the different characters connect, but eventually had to put that to the side since this was so far in the past.  However, Magnus Bane is in this book.  He must be ancient in the Mortal instruments’ books then.

This book had a much darker feel to it.  And the automatons seemed like something way ahead of the Victorian time period.  I guess that’s what happens when magic is involved.

I found a lot of this book was a bit predictable.  Although I am curious to find out the extent of what Tessa is and her full powers.  I have no doubt they will be revealed piece by piece over the next few books.

The synopsis of this book made it seem like there was a big love triangle with Tessa, Will, and Jem.  However, it seemed rather non-existent.  The whole thing seemed somewhat forced.  And, I don’t feel there was any competition between Will and Jem, as Jem seemed a bit too sickly to be any kind of real threat.  Jem was very sweet and the polar opposite to Will. Of course, I was more drawn to Will.  I like the snarky ones, what can I say? I guess the nice guys really do finish last. I’m assuming the love aspect will be a bigger component in the next book, and Jem will make his play for Tessa’s affections.  Maybe they will even find a cure for him.

I found the book left off in a weird spot with Will going to visit Magnus and then it just ended.  It didn’t say what he wanted from Magnus or anything, it just ended.

This book wasn’t anything special for me personally, but I really hope I enjoy the next one more.