Clockwork Angel

Book Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Number of Pages: 478
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural
Books like it: The City of Bones, Hex Hall
My Favorite Quote: “One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”  

Brief Synopsis from Goodreads:
Orphan Tessa Gray, sixteen, crosses the ocean from New York to find her brother Nate in Victorian London, her only possession a clockwork angel necklace from her mother. She is ignorant of her power to transform; the Dark sisters are not. They kidnap her for the Magister, who wants to marry Tessa and claim her power.

Shadowhunters, warriors of angel blood, battle demons and keep the peace in the Downworld of vampires, warlocks and other supernaturals. Orphan teen Shadowhunters Jem, Will, and Jess rescue Tessa and agree to help save Nate. Vengeful vampire Lady Camille Belcourt and her current lover, warlock Magnus Bane provide entrée to the Magister's secret Pandemonium Club.

Trailer:

My Summary:
I never thought that Clare could top a series like the Mortal Instruments, but after picking up my new copy of Clockwork Angel, I could not believe how utterly wrong I was! I was BLOWN AWAY. In the first few pages, you are completely hooked because there is a girl named Tessa who has a unique talent: She can Change. By changing, I mean she can hold an object that belonged to someone and completely Change her appearance to look like them. I have never heard of this talent before, and I thought it was an amazing idea! Two evil old ladies are forcing Tessa to Change, and preparing her for her marriage to a mysterious being called the Magister. Tessa is afraid, but if she tries to escape, they have one thing to hold against her: they have her brother.
And of course, when there is a damsel in distress, there has to be a knight in shining armor.
WILL!!!!

“Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who's trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs.”  

If you can't tell, there is going to be a love triangle in this book, and I am definitely Team Will. Well, anyway, not to fear: he saves her, and takes her back to his castle. Or, rather, the Institute. There, Tessa learns that she is a Downworlder, and that there is another world that has been unknown to her. Will is something called a Shadowhunter, that fights vampires and werewolves and demons. Something called the Pandemonium Club is responsible for multiple deaths and a secret organization determined to take over the Shadow World and the race of humanity. With a further investigation, they learn that the Magister is building clockwork creatures to use for a secret army. With the help of Will, Jem, Charlotte, and Jessamine, Tessa's new friends, can Tessa stop the Magister, rescue her brother, and find out who she really is?
Find out in this enchanting story written by Cassandra Clare.

Also, everyone is very in love with Jem. Jem has a secret that might be threatening his life. Tessa finds him intriguingly mysterious, oddly beautiful, and kind. He never looses his temper and is a safe harbor for her to go to. Then there is Will, who is the complete opposite. Don't be fooled by his gorgeously great looks, he has a sharp and sarcastic tongue and is ready to be venomous to anyone who attempts to show him kindness. (Sound familiar? He is a lot like the Jace Wayland from TMI) Although he is frequently mean to her, Tessa finds herself drawn to him. Despite the fact that it seems that he is a coldhearted boy, his few acts of kindness lead Tessa to believe he is not what he fools everyone to be.

“That was enterprising," Will sounded nearly impressed.
Nate smiled. Tess shot him a furious look. "Don't look pleased with yourself. When Will says 'enterprising' he means 'morally deficient.'"
"No, I mean enterprising," said Will. "When I mean morally deficient, I say, 'Now, that's something I would have done."

In conclusion, Clockwork Angel was a refreshing and enchanting read from Cassandra Clare. I think that it will be the next supernatural romance, but unlike Twilight, I found it interesting and unique. If you have entered the world of Shadowhunters through Clary Fray you will love it even more through Tessa Gray. And even if you have not read TMI, again, I thought TID was a million times better anyway.

“You know," Gabriel said, "there was a time I thought we could be friends, Will."

"There was a time I thought I was a ferret," Will said, "but that turned out to be the opium haze. Did you know it had that effect? Because I didn't.”  

Pros: I love this author because she brings new and unique ideas to the table. Her new take on shape-changers was fascinating, and I loved how she opened every chapter with a poem or expert from one of the classics. It adds a more classical taste to these books and an appreciation for the great works that some young readers have forgotten and left in the dust.
Cons: I know that I stink at doing cons. I'm sure critics of fiction would have a lot to say about how stupid these books were but I enjoyed the whole series.
Cautions for Parents: Brief scenes of violence and a little bit of mild language.

Review: 5 stars