Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderly

Pages: 479
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Purchased

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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.

Clockwork Angel was yet another amazing thrill-ride from Cassandra Clare, filled with lots of magic, plenty of suspense and mystery and some blossoming romances all weaved together with Steampunk undertones. This book blew me away.

Of course, since it was set in the same Shadownhunter universe, I went in reading it with some preconceived ideas about how it was going to be, and what I would think about it.  But the first few pages into CA, I knew that whatever I thought before was wrong. At first, we meet Will and, given how their natures are relatively similar, I immediately started drawing comparisons between Will and Jace. (Will is Jace’s great-great-great-etc… GRANDFATHER!) But Will proves to be completely dissimilar to Jace. I really started falling for Will… and then he would do or say something and I would think “What an ass!” And then he would redeem himself again and I would go all goo-goo. As of right now, I’m not really sure where I stand on how I feel about him. He’s too complicated to try and figure out right now.

Tessa was absolutely a wonderful heroine. She was so different than Clary. There was just something about Tessa that was strong and determined, yet frail and breakable. She was loyal to the people she cared about, and also sweetly naïve. Since she’s not really sure what she is, and everything has happened so suddenly in her life, naturally she’s confused about what’s going on and about herself. This really made me sympathize with her.

Amazing characters like Jem and Charlotte were the ones that stole the show. I really felt bad for both of them. Really, the entire cast of characters were superb.

Clare really weaves us a great story. I wasn’t expecting most of what I read, and usually I can. I gave more than my fair share of gasps and “HOLY CRAP!”s as I was reading this. Even though it’s a pretty big book, I finished it in one night.

If you’re in any way a fan of The Mortal Instruments series, READ THIS BOOK. Even if you’re not a fan of TMI, READ THIS BOOK. It absolutely is worth it. I give this novel 4.5 out of 5 stars.