Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices, #1)

by Cassandra Clare

When sixteen-year-old orphan Tessa Fell's older brother suddenly vanishes, her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London's dangerous supernatural underworld, and when she discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must learn to trust the demon-killing Shadowhunters if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother.

Reviewed by jeannamichel on

5 of 5 stars

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Have you ever read the Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare? Well, this is the prequel to that series. It was, at first, intriguing to find out that Clare was making a prequel, because I had no clue what it would be about. Let me just say- the year is 1878- a fact that was stated on the first page or so. Having the prequel set in historical England, where the other series is set in modern New York City is so different that I was merely taken away by that idea. Cassandra Clare brings her world alive, breathing life into her characters- all the while her readers are holding their breath.


I am in love with this book. However, I have read some other reviews that are not as optimistic as mine- they find Clare's style a bit of a drag. Cassandra Clare's style was, from the first page of the the book, what brought me into that world of hers. There is nonstop action and, at times, it is hard to catch your breath. It is like a blockbuster movie in print.

Clare has a way that makes the characters seem so real that when they speak- I heard them. She has quite a knack for making gorgeous characters, like the way she did with Jace in her previous series of the Mortal Instruments (like Stephenie Meyer had done with Edward Cullen).


Who doesn't love this cover? While this cover fits with the theme of her other novels, it stand alone too. I love the model's pose and simply love the small clockwork angel in the middle. If they do make merchandise on this certain series- I think the clockwork angel necklace would be a hit. It is absolutly gorgeous!

However, this ending is certainly agonizing! When I was young, too old for picture books, but not old enough for young adult novels, I would skip the epilogue until the next book in the series came out. I always thought how stupid that was, but now after reading so many epilogues with cliff-hangers, I have to say that I was one smart kid. Yes, Clockwork Angel does have one major cliff-hanger that made me smile and impatient for the next one to come.

For information on the next book in the series- titled the Clockwork Prince- go to Cassandra Clare's blog where she is currently giving away teasers for her upcoming novels. Yeah, go check it out.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 December, 2010: Finished reading
  • 1 December, 2010: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 21 March, 2017: Finished reading
  • 1 December, 2010: Reviewed