Gina's Book #5: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

A quick summary:

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the series Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.  It is reminiscent of L.J. Smith novels in that there is a secret society of vampires, warewolves, shape-changers, shadowhunters, and many other kinds of creatures that exists beneath the notice of humans. 

The story begins with American Tessa Gray traveling to 1878 London to live with her brother after her aunt dies. Once off the ship she is immediately kidnapped and sent to live with the dark sisters.  The dark sisters claim that she has the power to change, which is the ability to transform herself into someone else, living or dead, by holding onto any item which once belonged to them.  If she doesn't cooperate they threaten to kill her brother, who they say is hidden somewhere safe.  Tessa plays along in order to ensure her brother and only living relative's safety, and is astounded to find out that she does in fact have this power.  After six weeks of developing her ability, the dark sisters tell her she is ready and she learns that she is meant to marry a mysterious individual known as the magister. 

The same day she is meant to meet the magister, a dark and brooding shadowhunter named Will comes and saves her.  She is whisked off to a place known as the institute which is home to other shadowhunters. Shadowhunters are a race of humans born with angelic blood who exist to fight and kill demons. It is their job to protect humans and keep the accords in place that keep peace between downworlders and humans.

Tessa's appearance in London sparks a chain of events that lead to a secret plot that could destroy the accords and their world as they know it.

My take on the novel:

I did like this book, but it is definitely not a classic by any means. The writing isn't anything spectacular. The main character isn't as likeable as I would have hoped, although she does love to read which is probably the best thing she had going for her.  The love triangle is okay, but I don't find myself getting very much attached to either of the boys.  Will and Tessa are constantly quoting lines from their favorite novels and poems, which in the end just made me feel like the author was showing off her extensive reading experience. 

That being said, there is something about this genre of novel that I love and Cassandra Clare was able, in my opinion, to keep all the necessary elements of a secret world in place while putting her own spin on the piece.  I was interested enough that I stayed up later than usual a few nights to keep reading, and I have continued onto the next book in the series, Clockwork Prince.  Besides I can never say no to a love triangle that involves the dark mysterious loner vs the kind and gentle old soul.