The Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices, Book 1)

Steven R. McEvoy

at 4:57 pm

Review by Steven R. McEvoy for The Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Rating: (5 / 5)
This is the first novel in a new series by award winning author Cassandra Clare. This series is written as a prequel to the Mortal Instruments series. Her first book, City of Bones was nominated, short listed or won 17 awards. It is also the first of her novels I have read. She is often asked if people should read the Mortal Instruments or the Infernal Devices books first. She states, and I believe, it does not matter.

This story is set in London in 1878; it revolves around three main characters, and their involvement with our world and a supernatural world. Our main character is Tessa Gray, a young woman who has just journeyed to London to connect with her brother, originally from New York. She arrives to be absconded by the Dark Sisters, who are training her in a talent she never knew she had. The other two main characters are Jem (James) Corstairs and Will (William) Herondale, both of whom belong to a group known as Shadowhunters. They help defend humans from those who are downworlders and demons. Downworlders are all of those creatures on earth who are not human – vampires, werewolves, warlocks, fairies and more. Set as part of a historic conflict between good and evil, the Shadowhunters have stood between mankind and slavery or destruction for generations.

The story is incredibly well written. The reader becomes transported back in time and into the city of London. As the story progresses, you find yourself thinking about it again and again. The characters and the story will just not leave your thoughts. At one point early in the story Tessa declares: “One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.” That really is true of all good books. The reader comes away changed – changed either in their outlook on the world, their philosophy, or even in their intentions towards their fellow humans. This book does that. The reader will see the battle between light and darkness differently. They will look at the world around them differently and wonder if what they are seeing is really real, or just seems to be real.

Prior to reading this book I had only read two short stories by Cassandra Clare. I enjoyed both but this novel shows the skill and power over words that Cassandra Clare has. It was an incredible novel and I now plan on reading all of her other books.

Yiota G.

at 6:27 pm

Review by Yiota G. for The Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Rating: (5 / 5)
I literally just finished the book. I wanted to write the review when is still fresh in my mind.

To start with the environment i felt in love with it. It’s one of the best settings i have read. When i was reading i was in London at 1878. I’ve never been there but the whole city, the atmosphere was “designed” in mind perfectly. With every little detail. There are not few times when you read a book and the description of the world of the book is either too detailed or not good detailed at all. As a result you start make your own parts of the world to fit the story. This can’t happen in Clockwork Angel. Cassandra has build an amazing time machine for you to travel back in time. And that’s coming for someone who hates most of the stories written in our world. To put it against TMI*, i liked it more. Its aura is more dark, mysterious and adventurous. And even the story is more interesting for me.

As for the characters what can you say? My favourite one was Henry. He has a B’ role in the book, maybe even C’, but he is the one who stand out for me. His personality, his naivety, the way others was acting against him. I believe he would be easily my best friend.

For our main character Tessa i can’t say many. I really admire how Clare build her female characters. They feel real. To concentrate on Tessa i was quite fond of her. I don’t like her more than Clary, at TMI, but i still like to read about her story. The thing that i disliked most about her, it was that sometimes i felt like she was caring only for her brother and nothing else. Even if she is not selfish in some scenes looked pretty selfish to me. The back up girls,Sophie,Jess and the Dark Sisters were all really different than Tessa. I didn’t really cared about what Sophie was doing and i hated Jess (as personality not as her part in the book). The Dark Sisters..well they are “bad” guys. I have to admit they scared my a lot.

Then we have the boys. Magnus..is Magnus. Everyone who knows is from TMI, can understand what i mean. Even though we see a more sensitive part of him. Will and Jem. I love them! They are so different than each other and they are like brothers. Best friends. I like reading about their relationship and i really want to know more. Will, the guy who likes to be looked as bad(reminds of Jace) and Jem( aka James),the gentleman. If Tessa pick one of them i don’t really care who the one will be. I like both for different reasons and both can be at her side. Can’t really pick between them.

Lastly, for the ones that have read TMI and have good memory they will grin in many scenes were the characters say profitable things for TMI. The connection is really good. I’m really into this book. And i say try it. Even it’s the first one of Clare or you have read or either you are fan of TMI. After this 4th book Cassandra Clare became my 2nd favourite writer ever! Stories unique, with no repeating, that you can’t see where they really go, with a perfectly shaped world always worth your time. It’s not easy to find them anymore. Can’t wait for the next one!