4.5/5 stars
Clockwork Angel is the first novel in The Infernal Devices trilogy. Chronologically, it is the first story in the Shadowhunter Chronicles.
I listened to this playlist while reading https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5p9WSfLT7IvvPkGqFq4FJo
From Goodreads,
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.
Strengths
- I love how Clare developed her characters; they seem so realistic, in a way, they have flaws; they have their own principle; they have their deepest and darkest part they don’t show in the light.
- I love how little gestures, from the way they talked and reacted, it reflected each personality and this part is a total win in writing; you don’t tell readers that the characters trying to be strong by not crying in front of others but you tell them they held back their tears as they looked away. NEVER TELL BUT SHOW (oh yes, I feel so damn genius for now because this book make me realized why a certain book with interesting characters me afloat along the story and why some make you rooted for it)
- The world building is good, I feel enjoy crossing through a time machine into this Victorian Era.
- The way of Clare’s writing is so smooth. She doesn’t use flower blooming words to make the sentences beautiful, but she used the method of direct and clear but still able to hit you right to the core. And for that easiness, while reading this book, it is easy for me to absorb in and wander through my imagination. The entire movie scene up in my head as they interpreted from written words.
- I love the dynamic interactions among the character; it doesn’t feel force but come so naturally. I guess all of this worked because Clare crafted such an amazing cast of character.
Weaknesses
- One thing that bother me is that this book make me feel not enough, wanting more and more.
- The storyline is slow in pace but it picked up by the middle towards the end. I wish it will be more consistently build up.
Ae Astra 