Cassandra Clare - Clockwork Angel.

Cassandra Clare – Clockwork Angel

Rating: 10 out of 10.

Hey Everyone! We’re still working through my favourite books at the minute. The more I post, the more I want to post. I love sharing my favourites with everyone, I hope you’re enjoying this too. Today is a book review for Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. This is the first in The Infernal Devices trilogy. I love the entire trilogy and I’m so excited to share my spoilerless thoughts with you all. I hope you enjoy it!

When Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of demon hunters. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by – and town between – two best friends.

A little about the author:

Cassandra Clare is an American writer who publishes mostly YA novels. She is most known for The Mortal Instruments series and has published a number of books based around the Shadowhunter world. Her most recent works being Chain of Gold and The Lost Book of the White.

A little about the story:

This story followed Tessa Gray and the events that led to her finding a home with the Shadowhunters, among those were Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs.

Tessa at the beginning of the book is kidnapped and is kept for six weeks until she is rescued by Will and the other Shadowhunters. This is the tone that sets the entire book. It allows us to think of Will as a hero, rather than just a seventeen year old running around the streets of London. However as we delve more into his character we see that someone can be a hero, and still emotionally broken and worn down. It also sets the tone for Tessa and Will’s entire relationship. We see sparks fly immediately between the two and their personalities naturally bouncing off of each other.

The book follows the Shadowhunters and there battle against the Magister and his accomplices, (some that could be shocking) in a bid to save and protect Tessa. We see Tessa find a new family amongst the Shadowhunters as well as finding the love of both Will and Jem in some capacity. Reading the twists and turns on this journey, following as they risk their lives for a girl they have brought in as family. Alongside the complications that come when you mix Shadowhunters with Downworlders, and Tessa finding out the shocking reality of her heritage.

Shadowhunters lives are all adventure, all the time. Or at least that is what it seems to us mere mortals. Their entire lives revolve around fighting demons and protecting people. These books reflect the struggles of this as well as the great victories. The characters in this book face such hardships. Kidnap, betrayal, love, victories, and make it out on the other side.

I felt each of the characters was relatable to me for different reasons. Tessa is a strong minded and strong hearted individual. Everything she feels is felt with such intensity with resonates quite a lot with myself. Will and his use of sarcasm to mask his feelings. His ability to push people away. Jem with his kind soul, his love for the people that surround him. Charlotte and her leadership qualities, how she knew what she wanted and went for it despite all of the reasons it would go wrong. Henry, actually I didn’t quite relate to Henry, but I would honestly like to be more like him. His creative genius knows no bounds. Every single character Clare writes is so well thought out and developed. Anyone who reads this book could find at least one character that relates to them in some way.

My own personal opinion is that I adored this book. As I mentioned the whole trilogy has my heart. This was the first one of Clare’s books that I read and I’m hooked. I’m stumped trying to find a series that beats the love I have for this one.

My favourite parts of the book are anything that shows Jem and Tessa together. They are two very kind and loving people and having them in the same scene melts my heart. Of course I adore Will and Tessa’s dynamic. I feel that he brings out her wild side, and she settles him slightly. They just fit. But Jem and Tessa are simple.

I thought long and hard about whether there is a part to this book that I dislike and I’m still unsure. Of course I dislike certain characters such as Nate, and the Dark Sisters however, I’m 99% sure this is more credit to Clare as that it feels that is what she intended to happen.

If I could change any part of the book it would simply be its length. I want more. But again, this is done. There are two more books that give me everything I was asking for. This book is such a perfect start to a wonderful series.

I would and do recommend this book to absolutely anyone I come across. More specifically though if you have a love for fantasy and romance, and the ties of friendship, this is the book for you. Between parabatai bonds and chosen family, this story is one for the reading list. Happy Reading!

Stay Curious!

J x