Book Review: CLOCKWORK ANGEL

Title: CLOCKWORK ANGEL
Author: Cassandra Clare
Other books by author: CITY OF BONES
Release Date: August 2010
My Rating: 5/5 Incredible! Loved it!
One Word Plot: Angels/Demons
Good if...you're looking for something action packed and full of romantic tension

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still. When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos. Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own. Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My thoughts...Truth. I've been avoiding reading this one. I did the same thing with Cassandra Clare's last series (THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS) too. It's just--they're premise is kind of weird, the book is really fat, I'm really unsure if I'm going to like it, blah, blah, blah. I held back--despite all the positive reviews--and you know what...once again I was so pleasantly surprised! I was reeled right in and hooked just like I was when I read CITY OF BONES way back when. I urge anyone who is having doubts like I did to just go for it. Make yourself get started on this one and I assure you that you won't be disappointed!

Now, on to comparisons. How can you not compare this new series to Cassandra Clare's first series? It was very similar. Shadowhunters. Downworlders. Demons. Vampires. We're in the same world we were before. The big difference is that the setting is about 150 years in the past and in London. Clare did an awesome job at this. I normally hate books that aren't set in present day or at least future day. But I loved the whole past thing with this one. I love how some little details in this one connected it to the MORTAL INSTRUMENTS. And I loved the mystery behind Tessa's character--what is she? Then there is Will. Stubborn. Aggressive. Outspoken. Kind of a prick. This love interest of Tessa's is really just Jace with a different name. But that's okay because wasn't Jace the whole reason you even read THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS series in the first place?

I'm happy to say this was 5/5 star material and that I can't wait to read the second in this series!