Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel is the first book of The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare, which is a companion series to The Mortal Instruments, a six book series. I read Clare's books by publication, so this is my first in the trilogy and the fourth book of hers I have read. I don't really know have to summarize my feelings for Clockwork Angel. The novel was good, I'll give it that. However, I just couldn't care for the characters and I haven't connected to them at all yet. Hopefully that will change with the next two books in the trilogy, and I have heard that it does get better.

The novel starts off with our protagonist, Tessa, being held captive by the Dark Sisters, and soon enough, Tessa is thrown into the Shadowhunter World. I can't really say that I liked Tessa as a character. I love that she is a reader and is also intuitive. For some reason though, I cannot connect to her and don't really care for her that much. For me, she was too self-pitying for me to read about. The only three characters I do like are Charlotte, Will, and Jem. Charlotte is such a great character. She's the epitome of a strong women. She does and speaks what she wants and is in a leadership position. Charlotte also kicks ass, so there's that. Will and Jem are the two love interests for Tess, and I've heard that the love triangle will tear me to pieces inside and then put them back together. I love how Jem and Will are such good friends and it reminds me very much of Jace and Alec's friendship in the Mortal Instruments. Both men are so charismatic in their own way and I am looking forward to seeing how the love triangle progresses.

My main gripe to this book is that I didn't relate to any of the characters or parts of the plot. Jessamine grated on my last nerves; Tessa complained too much; and I really didn't care for the whole "Who is the Magister?" part of the story. That said, I did enjoy the fight scenes and the automaton prospect. Even with not being able to attach to some of the characters, I read the book fairly quickly (three days, I think) for being as long as it is. I like this book just as much as I did City of Ashes, the second Mortal Instruments book.

Clockwork Angel isn't close to being one of my favorites of the year, but it is a solid read and I am most definitely continuing with both series by Cassandra Clare.

With that, I give this book

3.8 out of 5 Stars!

Currently Reading: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Set in Victorian London, 1878, Clockwork angel is the first in The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. The trilogy is a companion series to her other series, The Mortal Instruments. The way I read Clare's books is by publication date. So, as of now, I have read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments and just started The Infernal Devices.

The plot is intricate to say the least. Set in a world that is intertwined with our own, we follow our protagonist, Tessa Gray. A seemingly normal girl, we realize that there is much more underneath the surface when she is held hostage by the Dark Sisters, Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Grey. If you have read a Mortal Instruments book before, you'll be able to see who these Dark Sisters really are: Downworlders. Tessa and the reader are then thrown into the fantastical world that Clare has conceived.

So far, I am happy with my decision to read by publication because if not, I would have been completely lost and confused right now. Be wary reading this book; it does have a slow start but picks up about a quarter through. I am very much enjoying the story so far and I'm just about 60% done. I imagine I'll finish the book this weekend. As of comparing Clockwork Angel to the first three Mortal Instrument books, I like it better than City of Bones, but not as much as City of Glass. I would have to say that I currently like it about the same as City of Ashes. After this book, I'll be continuing with both series and I'm excited to see how the world builds with the next books.

On the top left is the original cover, which I am reading from as a hardback, and the bottom right shows the newly released cover. Which one do you like better? Personally, I like the originals better for both Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Princess, but I really like Clockwork Prince's new cover.