Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 8/31/2010
Publisher: McElderry Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 478
Overall:

*** There might be some minor Mortal Instruments spoilers in this post ***

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: 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, 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.

I really wish I had something bad to say about Cassandra Clare. I feel like that would make me seem more normal. But alas, I got nothing. Elle est fantastique! With each new installment, her fantastic-ness just becomes more and more prominent. Clockwork Angel is about as far from the exception as you can get.

Starting with The Mortal Instruments comparisons, because that was, I think, what everyone was the most worried about, that it would be a repeat of TMI. I can confidently say that I don't say it is in the least a repeat. Clockwork Angel can be completely it's own (and I'm pretty sure we have something coming up that proves it, that I'm really excited about) and I think people will still enjoy it and know just as much (if not more) about Shadowhunters, what they do and there history, things like that. But if you are like me and read The Mortal Instruments first, you still don't feel like skipping over it, because the history is told in a different way. Is that understandable? Probably not but whatever. :)

I loved Tessa as a character. Her power to "Change" was confusing at first but throughout the book I found it more and more fascinating as she learned more about how to control it and what it entitles. I also really really want to know why she came to have her power, and what everyone wants with it! True story: this is one of the very (very very very) few times that i actually don't have a "Team" I flipped back and forth between Will and Jem so many times I finally said "Screw it. I'm not picking until the next book!" So..... right now I'm teamless....

In true Cassandra Clare fashion Clockwork Angel was FULL of plot twists. I had many gasp moments I can't even count them. Clockwork Angel was also quite dark, but had it's funny moments and witty lines. With all the twisty turny-ness. I'm not even thinking of the big picture. I honestly have no idea where this story is going to end up! But I do now that I didn't want it to end.
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Ps. If your looking for the line waiting for Clockwork Prince, it starts here. Stupid cliffhangers. :)
xoxo,
Shelbie