Book Review: Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

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. 

(Summary from Goodreads)

Do you have favourite authors? Authors whose writing you love? And it almost hurts when you read their work because it's so good? And you kind of want to weep because your own writing falls so far of their standard?

Yeah.

For me, that's J. K. Rowling and Cassandra Clare.

I love the shadowhunting world! And this latest installment did not disappoint (though if I had to choose I'd say I prefer THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS to THE INFERNAL DEVICES). There is so much beautiful and original imagery in Cassie's writing, her stories really come alive for me. And her characters always come across as so real! I think that's the part I love the most - the people. Like them or hate them (if you thought Jace was a rude, opinionated smartass, wait till you meet Will Herondale!) there is always an undeniable depth to them. 

And the mystery... and the twist you never see coming... Love it all!

I definitely recommend this :-)