Book Review: Clockwork Angel

Reviewed by: Pooja D.

            Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare is the first book in the trilogy The Infernal Devices.  The Infernal Devices series takes place 129 years before its sequel series, The Mortal Instrument.  

Clockwork Angel takes place in Victorian England in 1878.  16 year-old Tessa Gray, the female protagonist, is leaving her old home in New York after her aunt’s death and to go to England to live with her brother, Nate.  Their parents died when they were both young, so they stayed at their aunt’s house.  Tessa grows up as a normal girl, attending school, wearing dresses, and learning how to be a proper lady.  She never goes against tradition.  However, when Tessa’s aunt suddenly passes away she goes to England, leaving behind her home and her old self.

            Once arriving in London, Tessa is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who believe that Tessa has magical powers.  Tessa actually does have powers and can shape-shift into any person if she has an object that belonged to that person.  With the Dark Sisters, she is forced to shape-shift and if she does not, she is punished and her brother will be punished as well.  The Dark Sisters tell Tessa that she is going to marry the Magister and that the Magister paid them to help Tessa learn how to change.  

Six weeks after being kidnapped Tessa escapes with the help of some shadow hunters.  Shadow hunters are people who are part angel and part human warriors. The shadow hunters help protect the world from demons.

She then finds herself in the London Institute of shadow hunters. She decides to live there until the shadow hunters find Nate.  While at the institute, Tessa learns more about herself and with the help of two shadow hunters, Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs, she learns how to protect herself.

Who is the Magister and what does he want with Tessa?  Will the shadow hunters be able to find Nate?  Will Tessa be able to trust the shadow hunters enough to let them help her?  Will she be able to adjust to a society where girls fight and dress like men?  Find out in the amazing novel Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. 

Clockwork Angel is very interesting and even though I thought it was amazing, some say that it starts slowly.  The farther you get into the book, though, you fall in love with the characters and you can’t put the book down.  This book is about coming of age and finding out who you are.  There are many mysteries in this novel leaving the reader demanding answers out of a book that holds many secrets.  There are many twists and turns in this book as well as romance.  There are so many themes in this book that everyone who reads it will love it. Tessa is a headstrong girl that many people love and can relate to.  This is an amazing book and I hope you love it as much as I do.