My rating:
5 of 5 stars
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.
#TIDreadalong RE-READATHON
I have a better appreciation for the term Infernal Devices- Mortmains automaton creations. Don't blink because the clockwork angel Tessa wears around her neck is the most fantastic imaginative piece of the author's fabric! and there is a lot of clever pieces of fabric in Cassandra Clare's masterpiece, such as the Iratze's and the swords shadowhunters fight with. As you will discover, Mortmain is the enemy and Tessa, Will, Jem, Charlotte, Jessamine, Sophie, Thomas and Henry all live inside the London Institute of Shadowhunters.
Tessa Gray travels from New York to London on a steamship hoping to meet up with her brother Nate. Instead, she falls victim to a pair of dark sisters who serve Mortmain the magister. They seem to know all about her and insist on training Tessa on how to use her power. She doesn't know anything about what she is until she is forced to become someone else for the first time.
Downworlders are creatures with a supernatural abilities such as warlocks, vampires, faeries, and werewolves. Shadowhunters are part human and part angel. They have angel blood coursing through their veins. They primarily fight and kill demons and are bound by Clave Law and The Accords to live peaceably with downworlders and their mandate is to kill demons. Tessa seems to have escaped the Dark House into their world. On a bright note, her romantic involvement with Will is tasked with their mutual fondness for books. I'm sure avid readers will appreciate that aspect.
QUOTE
"Is it dreadful, being so evil? Are you worried you'll go to Hell?" She leaned closer to Tessa. "What do you think the Devil's like?"
Tessa set her fork down. "Would you like to meet him? I could summon him up in a trice if you like. Being a warlock, and all."
Brother Enoch says Tessa is an Eidolon. A Shape-changer but not one that is familiar to him. There is no demon's mark on her.
The following review was first published on my blog in 2011 @Jackie's Forget Me Nots
I just finished reading Clockwork Angel, and it was incredible! I found this mock book cover at DeviantArt. We learned Tessa’s little angel necklace was surprisingly helpful to her. I was astonished more than Tessa was to see that little fiery fairy thing come to life buzzing around her neck when she was being attacked by automatons in the Institute. It saved her life. This may be a spoiler post but I don’t care, considering I am always late when it comes to reading books, so I am assuming everyone in the world has either heard of it or read it.
Alex Mortmain, french for ‘hand of death’ is the head of the pandemonium club. The Magister! OMG!!! :p NOT DeQuincey like everyone was fooled into believing.
Magnus Bane is a very interesting character who I feel has a lot more to do with Tessa’s family than we are aware of. He is a very old warlock. Speaking of characters, I hate Nathaniel Gray! what a dick!
