The Infernal Devices Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices – Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

Published by Walker Books Ltd, 2010

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices trilogy, written as a prequel to the Mortal Instruments series. Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean from New York to find her brother, her destination is London, set during the reign of Queen Victoria. Something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk lurk around causing trouble. Only the Shadowhunters, Nephilim warriors dedicated to keeping the world free from demons keep order amidst the chaos. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of 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 by marriage.

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: Jem, 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 but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy all Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping the Nephilim save the world.

This was an exciting novel to read because of the many plot twists and turns, nothing is what it seems. The characters are what makes the story so vivid. Each of the characters have a very in depth back story that adds to the current events. For example, Will Herondale keeps everyone at arm’s length, he is very sarcastic and seems like a complete fool but he has reasons for being so closed off and I think a lot of people would relate to him.

The readers will get hooked instantly because the world is so interesting and vivid that you won’t ever want to put the book down. Cassandra Clare has written this story in a such a way that there is so much character development, you feel as if you are learning and growing to be a part of that world that you are reading. The book has characters for everyone to relate to; Tessa Gray, a young girl who doesn’t know what’s going on in her life; William Herondale, a young man who closes himself off to everyone; Jem Carstairs, a young man with a very horrible illness and also an orphan; Charlotte Branwell, a 23 year old woman trying to keep her proper place in the time of sexism. These are just a few examples of how in depth and great this story is. All the characters have their own drive and purpose.

I would recommend this novel/series to teenagers and young adults because they would get a feel for it and enjoy the most. The themes and content are very vivid and the language is colloquial and easy to understand.I found this book to be the gateway for one of the most amazingly detailed, in-depth story worlds. If you’re a fan of fantasy fiction, plot twists, lots of backstory and magic then I suggest you read this. I would rate this novel 10/10.