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Clockwork Angel is the first in The Infernal Devices trilogy, a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments series (yes, I'm confused too). Set in a dark and eerie Victorian London it begins with the arrival of sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray, fresh off a boat from the big apple.
A friendless orphan, Tessa has returned to England to live with her errant brother Nathaniel. In his place, Tessa is met by two cold women, the Dark sisters, and soon imprisoned in their London home. Believing Tessa to have special powers they force her to undergo painful magical transformations. It's soon clear that there's something not quite human about Tessa, but how did the sisters know? And where is Nathaniel?
A friendless orphan, Tessa has returned to England to live with her errant brother Nathaniel. In his place, Tessa is met by two cold women, the Dark sisters, and soon imprisoned in their London home. Believing Tessa to have special powers they force her to undergo painful magical transformations. It's soon clear that there's something not quite human about Tessa, but how did the sisters know? And where is Nathaniel?
Tessa's London is threatened by a magical underworld of vampires, warlocks, demons - held together by self-appointed peacemakers, The Shadowhunters. Just as the sisters begin to hint at an upcoming forced marriage to their master, The Magister, a shockingly handsome Shadowhunter named Will arrives to sweep her away to safety.
Installed in the Shadowhunters headquarters Tessa continues to ask questions. Is she safe with The Shadowhunters? What does The Magister want with her? And why does Will mercilessly tease her one moment, then completely ignore her the next?
Installed in the Shadowhunters headquarters Tessa continues to ask questions. Is she safe with The Shadowhunters? What does The Magister want with her? And why does Will mercilessly tease her one moment, then completely ignore her the next?
This is a thrilling, satisfying instalment that definitely made me keen to continue with the series. In some ways it reminded me of the Harry Potter books - multiple characters and sub-plots knocking around a building so old and impenetrable that it's almost a character in itself. Magical beings climbing out of the woodwork and a baffled but likable main character with unwanted power. That being said, I'd much rather have Tessa fighting in my corner than Harry.
There were more than enough twists to keep me reading and Cassandra Clare kept me guessing along with Tessa on which characters to trust. Whilst there are some touching scenes, genuine portrayals of friendships and a little bit of romance, most of the book is concentrated on the action. And this makes it a brilliant read.
Enough questions were answered in this instalment for it to feel like a complete story, whilst those that went unanswered are intriguing enough to make me impatient to begin the next book. Highly recommend.
Enough questions were answered in this instalment for it to feel like a complete story, whilst those that went unanswered are intriguing enough to make me impatient to begin the next book. Highly recommend.
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