Review Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: August 31 2010
Publisher: Margaret K McElderly Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages:479
Genre: Steampunk/YA/Supernatural
Series: Infernal Devices (#1)
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Synopsis:
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:
There is something about Cassandra's world that draws me in and keeps me there submerged in the shadowhunter's and downworlder's unique and fascinating world. Clockwork Angel book 1 in the Infernal Device series is the prequel to Cassandra's The Mortal Instrument series. 


Set in London 1878 Tessa Gray sets out from New York to London after her Aunt's passing, to live with her brother Nathaniel. The moment that Tessa steps off the Maine her life takes a drastic turn where nothing is what it seems. Her whole life she was made to believe that she was purely human but she quickly learns after her kidnapping by The Dark Sister's that she is something else entirely. Unknowingly caught up in the mystical world of the Downworlder's there is a higher power who has a personal interest in Tessa.


Will Herondale a Shadowhunter has been on a hunt for weeks when his investigation leads him to the home of the Dark Sisters. He comes across Tessa in his search for a missing human girl. Helping her escape the Dark Sister's house Tessa is brought to the institute for protection, until Will and the rest of the Shadowhunter's can figure out the Downworlder's would want with Tessa.


Will is a strong willed character who acts like he doesn't care about anything or anyone. It is one of his defense mechanisms to deal with a darker part of himself. Jem, Will's best friend is the total opposite of Will. He is kind hearted, generous and genuine. Jessamine one of two shadowhunters at the London Institute wants nothing more than to be a regular girl. Charlotte is the leader of the London Institute along with her husband Henry. Charlotte loves what she does but Henry would be quiet content to spend all of his days in his lab fiddling with his inventions and machines. 


The relationship between Will and Tess is a predictable one. Bad boy with good girl. But there is a certain element to Will that makes me feel sympathetic to him. There is a little twist of Jem. He has feelings for Tessa but she does not realize this. 


This is an amazing story of personal struggles and defeats and epic betrayal.  Clare has done it again. She has sucked me into her world and has made it so I never want to leave. 
If you loved the Mortal Instruments series than you will not be disappointed in the least with Clockwork Angel.