Kyle Kerr

Clockwork Angel

01/24/11 | Books, Reviews | 0 Comments

I have a new favorite author to add to my list.  Yeah, that’s a tiny hint about the direction this review is going to go.

My first foray into the fictional world created by Cassandra Clare was with her debut novel City of Bones.  In it she established a new set of warriors called Shadowhunters, an ancient race of Nephilim (half human, half angel) whose sole purpose is to protect humans against the demon underworld.  She introduced us to Jace, Clary, Simon, Izzy, Alec, Magnus, and more, a combination of Shadowhunter, Vampire, Warlock, Lycanthrope, Faerie and Mundane (human).  They join forces – however reluctantly – to stop a rogue Nephilim from unleashing the demon hoard in an attempt to destroy the race of Shadowhunters.  The trilogy continued with City of Ashes, and concluded with City of Glass.

With Clockwork Angel, Clare delves even deeper into the Shadowhunter mythology, taking us back to 1878 London, England.  We meet new warriors Will and Jem, who stumble across the body of a murdered 14-year-old girl while fighting off a demon, then set off on a search for her killer.

Next we find Tessa, fresh from a trans-Atlantic journey from New York City, her parents and aunt dead, with only a letter from her brother telling her to join him in the Old World to start a new life.  Yet the moment she arrives, something is terribly wrong.  A strange coachman and a pair of sinister sisters take her from the dock, promising a quick reunion with her brother… but six weeks later, she hasn’t seen him, and they’ve kept her prisoner, torturing her day after day, forcing her to Change.

Once she’s perfected her talent, they deem her ready for the Magister, a mysterious man of enormous power amongst Downworlders.  But on the very night they’re to hand her over, the boys’ investigation leads them to the very house Tessa’s being held captive in, an otherworldly battle ensues, and they are able to escape.

What unwinds from there is a tale of misdirection, conspiracy and betrayal… one full of secrets and temptation.

I fell in love with Clare’s stories with The Mortal Instruments books, and not much has changed since finishing the first of the Infernal Devices trilogy—unless you count my new obsession for a whole new cast!  She has an uncanny talent in making every character three-dimensional, with giving them a history and a purpose for their actions.  In reading about these fully formed people, you can’t help but become wrapped up in their lives and invested in their futures.

Tessa is a fierce heroine in a world of proper ladies, whose love for her brother overrides any fear she might have.  Will acts like he doesn’t care about anything—and his past hints at some dreadful secrets—yet his stern indifference gets overshadowed by his deep concern for his friends.  Jem’s tortured past has dire consequences on his present, and his gentle compassion will leave your heart aching.

Cassie (as she’s known to her fans) weaves a harrowing tale that will have you turning pages long into the night.  There are two more ID books to come (and she swears that’s it), as well as a whole new trilogy in the TMI series.  Up next is City of Fallen Angels in April, and Clockwork Prince in August.  Also big news right now is the City of Bones movie, which is currently being cast. 

This book will not disappoint, and I’m not exaggerating when I say: 10/10.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr