Pages: 475
Publisher: Walker
Release Date: 6th September 2010
Other Titles by this Author: City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass
Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still
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 folk stalk the gas lit street. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge 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 realises that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
Clockwork Angel is a spectacular example of YA urban fantasy. Cassandra Clare really is a genius.
The Mortal Instruments is one of my favourite series’ because of the extraordinary world that has been built for the Shadowhunters. Well, I love Jace too, but that’s a post for another day. Back to the world: it has roots in history of the biggest cities from all over the world and spanning centuries. Having read The Mortal Instruments I was able to identify the predecessors of very important characters in the series. The Lightwood family had a reasonable role in Clockwork Angel and the Wayland’s were also mentioned. I was very pleased that Magnus Bane was in it as I loved him in The Mortal Instruments. I love it when authors interconnect their stories!
Cassandra Clare is also extremely talented when it comes to creating characters hat sit perfectly in her dark and twisted world. Charlotte, Henry, Jem, Jessamine and Will who run the London Institute are very similar to Jace and the Lightwoods in The Mortal Instruments and so I immediately loved them. Especially sweet and caring Jem who’s hiding a heart-breaking secret and sarcastic, cutting, sexy and dangerous Will who isn’t all that he seems. They reminded me a lot of Alec and Jace, actually.
What set Clockwork Angel apart from The Mortal Instruments was the setting of Victorian London. The Institute was way ahead of it’s time. Female Shadowhunters wore trousers and fought alongside the men like equals, which baffled Tessa endlessly, they treated each other informally and skated over some of the stiffer Victorian societal rules. Women such as Charlotte had power and even ran the Institute. There was also period appropriate quotes and poetry extracts at the beginning of each chapter hinting at its contents.
I loved Clockwork Angel and after devouring it in hours, I’m already anxiously awaiting more of Cassandra Clare’s writing.
For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Sophie
I knew you'd love this one.. it's like a given for fans of the MI series. Cassie rocks!
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to read this book and am hopefully going to hear Clare take about this book next month when she come to town. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the literary references too. It was just so amazingly fabulous. Cassandra Clare is just the best.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Sophie - I've just started reading the Mortal Instruments and love it, can't wait to read this!
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