Book Review: The Clockwork Angel

Title: The Clockwork Angel
Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: 2010

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.

My Thoughts:
Since I love the Mortal Instruments series by the same author, I was really excited to read The Clockwork Angel. The Clockwork Angel is the first book in a new trilogy, The Infernal Devices, which also serves a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments.

Not surprisingly, my expectations for this book was huge. Therefore I am sad to say that the book was a bit of a disappointment. The plot wasn't as fast-paced as the Mortal Instruments book, and the characters Tessa, Will and James felt like plainer and paler versions of the main characters in the Mortal Instruments. Will, in particular felt like a less-charming Jace.

In true Cassandra Clare style there is a hint of a love triangle between Tessa, Will and James. But if you're hoping for hot make-out scenes you've got the wrong book. I know this story is set in the Victorian era and that things were very different then - but come on Cassandra, give us some romance, some passion! (Two tiny kisses in 475 pages is definitely not juicy enough!)

Rating: 3.5 of 5