Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

genre: fantasy/steampunk
age: YA
recommend to: people who like The Mortal Instruments, steampunk, adventure, and a good yarn
rating: 7/8 tentacles


Set in 19th Century England, Clockwork Angel (Book One in The Infernal Devices Trilogy) by Cassandra Clare, follows the adventures of sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray. After the death of her aunt and guardian, Tessa’s brother sends for her to come stay with him in London. When she arrives, a mysterious stranger kidnaps her and takes her to the home of the Dark Sisters, where she is then imprisoned.

Tessa is suddenly pulled into a shadowy and mysterious world she never knew existed, populated by demons, vampires, and warrior descendants of angels called Shadowhunters. She begins to realize that her past is full of secrets that seem to inexplicably link her with this world as she struggles to solve the mystery of her strange power and to escape the clutches of the villainous Magister, who is desperate capture her.

I would first like to say that Will Herondale is a giant douchebag and I can’t stand him. Unless he’s been possessed by the demon of douchebagery, there is no excuse for his selfish, obnoxious behavior. I don’t care if his rudeness is a front cultivated to mask his mysterious inner turmoil or if he is sometimes nice. If he stood in front of me, I would gladly slap him across the face.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest…

I actually enjoyed Clockwork Angel very much. This is the first novel in what will be a trilogy set in the same world as The Mortal Instruments, but several centuries earlier. I love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series and looked forward to getting a peek at some Shadowhunter history. I also love period pieces, expecially when they’re set in London, so when I found out about this book I thought: Mortal Instruments plus Victorian England? A sure formula for an excellent story. The Fantasy genre of Clare’s books lends an interesting dynamic to writing a historical prequel, namely the possibility that some characters present in The Mortal Instruments (vampires, warlocks, etc.) may have easily been alive in 19th Century England. Every time I came across the name of someone I knew from Mortal Instruments, I was very excited.

Expect the same adventure and mystery found in The Mortal Instruments with complexities added by the 19th Century setting: the subjugated role of women, a strict etiquette, and the master/servant relationship, among others. The novel is dark and creepy, with a hint of steampunk. The characters feel real (Jem is my favorite), the plot is intriguing and moves forward steadily with unforeseen twists, and the conclusion left me eager for the sequel.
Clockwork Angel can be enjoyed without having read The Mortal Instrunments. Readers who like this book might also enjoy Clockwork by Philip Pullman or the Sally Lockhart series by the same. Or, if you are already fans of these, pick up Clockwork Angel. I believe the next installment of the trilogy, Clockwork Prince, will be released this December. I can’t wait!