Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

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Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Genre: YA - Steampunk
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry
Original Release Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 479
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Jennifer Ehle
Source: Library

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Timesbestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

Tick...tick...tick...tick

Rewind the clock a bit from modern day New York City to the time of the Shadowhunter ancestors to right after the accords were written. We find ourselves in 1878 at the London Institute and a story that's part paranormal fantasy, part historical fiction, and part steampunk. This story boasts mystery and suspense, as well as some sarcasm and humor. While I think that I'm in the minority when I say that I don't care much for Will Harondale and I don't quite understand peoples' obsession with him quite yet, I really did adore this book.

Pros

Setting - I can honestly say that I don't read many historical fiction novels. I'm not sure why, but they don't normally pop out at me when I'm looking for something to read. I really enjoyed that this book took place in 19th century London!! It really was a unique experience for me. I also really enjoyed the Steampunk aspect of this story. Again, that was a first for me. 

Characters - The characters in this story were really dynamic to me. I spent most of the book wanting to know more and more about Jem. I rarely have a huge opinion about who ends up with whom, but I did in this book. I actually cared about the people in this book and if they will be particularly good for each other. I have a definite opinion about who I want to end up with whom at the end of this series...

Plot - While this book stayed true to the Shadowhunter universe, it really did feel like I was reading a different series. I was expecting this book to read like the previous books in the Shadowhunter world, except in the past. I was pleasantly surprised.

Writing - I think Ms. Clare writes historical fiction quite well. She did her research and added elements of her universe seamlessly to 19th century London. Her Shadowhunter world is beginning to extend farther than the derivitive paranormal fantasy that I read last year. I'm finding myself beginning to care about her characters and I'm becoming more and more interested in how all of this relates to itself.

Overall

I always prefer to go as blindly as possible into books so that I'm not disappointed. I had a simple expectation that this book would just be a backstory. I was wrong! I'm excited that I still have 2 more books in the series! Not only did I love the book, I really enjoyed the audiobook narrator. She did voices - I love it when narrators do voices. Of all of the Cassandra Clare stuff I've read, this is hands down my favorite so far.