Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare | Book Review

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folks stalk the gas-lit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refugee with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by – and torn between – two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Theresa Gray: The girl who came to London in search for her brother.
Nathaniel Gray: Theresa Gray’s brother
Magnus Bane, Dark Sisters, Alex de Quincey, Camille Belcourt – Downworlders
Axel Mortmain: Employer of Nathaniel Gray
Will Heronadale, Jem Carstairs, Charolette Fairchild, Henry Branwell, Jessamine Lovelace, Agatha, Sophie and Thomas – People at the Institute where Theresa takes refugee.

On the Plot:

This book was a roller-coaster ride. I was happy to read an all happening story. It was unique than most of the books I have read. There was a lot of drama and thrill which I enjoyed thoroughly. There were some major plot twists in the end, which I did not see coming at all. And, the book ends in a cliffhanger – so I am definitely reading the next one.

Writing & Theme

I loved the way Victorian London was developed to give a brilliant theme to the book. There were a lot of drama, emotion, adventure and suspense. The world-building was brilliantly done. I loved the fact that the description part was less and there were a lot of dialogues and people talking. I can say that the writer was not focused in showing us what was happening but she really made me become one of the characters and experience their emotions. And, it was really easy to do so. I enjoyed every chapter of the book in terms of suspense and drama perfectly blended with emotional content.

“One must always be careful of books,’ said Tessa, ‘and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.’

– Cassandra Clare.

Characters

I adore these characters. I loved how there was a perfect blend of people represented. I always am a sucker for the Morally Grey ones, and I got Will Herondale in this book. I am in love with him. I loved the character arc of the thee main characters, they all were quite unique and lovable. I was not expecting such diverse set of characters and all their backgrounds were amazingly explained. There were some quirky characters as well, but they were adorable in their own ways. I absolutely hated the antagonist. I could see every characters perspective on any situation. I loved how the characters always cleared any misunderstanding between them.

Adventure

There were so many twists and turns, they kept me on my toes. I really loved the fights and the action that took place in the second half of the book. The first part had some adventure like Tessa coming to the institute and how she learns what she can do. I devoured the first half of the book. That was really good but the second part was more mysterious. I flew right through it and I could not stop.

Sometimes,” Jem said, “our lives can change so fast that the change outpaces our minds and hearts. It’s those times, I think, when our lives have altered but we still long for the time before everything was altered– that is when we feel the greatest pain. I can tell you, though, from experience, you grow accustomed to it. You learn to live your new life, and you can’t imagine, or even really remember, how things were before.

Cassandra Clare

Overall

Action packed drama, quirky characters and fast paced plot and amazing world-building.
Read if you want to: experience a new fictional world or, you are a fantasy enthusiast or, if you love adventure.

• Do reasons matter when there’s nothing that can be done to change things.
• It is not the same thing to be good and to be kind.
• Beauty fades, but cooking is eternal.
• Dreams can be dangerous things.
• It is as great a thing to love as it is to be loved. Love is not something that can be wasted.