Review: Clockwork Angel | Cassandra Clare

This review is spoiler free.

“It’s all right to love someone who doesn’t love you back, as long as they’re worth you loving them. As long as they deserve it.”

Series: The Infernal Devices
Published: 2015, by Walker.
Pages: 486
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Vampires, Angels, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy
Contains: Death, Murder, Violence, Blood/Gore, Anger

‘Clockwork Angel’ tells the story of Tessa Gray, who crosses the ocean to England in search of her brother, but something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the streets. After being kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability.

I’ve been putting off reading this for quite some time now, having adored The Mortal Instruments series and not being brave enough to delve into something new in fear of hating it. I loved the characters too much. However, a part of me was curious about what Clare could possibly do next with the Shadowhunter world. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Tessa Gray made for a brilliant protagonist. She was the right amount of curious and courageous to keep you entertained from beginning to end of this book. She stood up for herself, making mistakes yet owning up to them while gradually being introduced to the other characters. It was wonderful seeing the world from her eyes, as she progressively got closer to those around her and adjusted to life as a Downworlder.
Jem Carstairs was another interesting protagonist, holding a dark secret close and enticing you to discover more about him. He was gentle, Will’s opposite, yet the two bounced off each other effortlessly. Their relationship shined through the pages and made you laugh, cry, and feel for these characters.
Will Herondale was another brilliant character, being his parabatai’s opposite yet the pair’s relationship was wonderful to read. In contrast, he was full of fire and fury, standoffish at times yet that didn’t phase you. It kept the story progressing entertainingly, and didn’t hinder your enjoyment of the character. Clare simply drip-feeds you enough information to keep you caring.

The novel itself is of a standard Clare size, being around five hundred pages, but there was enough content to keep you interested from beginning to end. Clare’s talent for character creation and world building keeps you engaged, flowing throughout the pages and being impossible to put down.

Overall, I loved this novel, it being the perfect read after The Mortal Instruments. I’ve missed this world and the characters that inhabit it, and it was wonderful to meet those both new and old.