Books Reviews

Clockwork Angel – Book Review

By Angela Youngman Jan 10, 2011, 15:28 GMT

Tessa Gray descends into Victorian London\'s dark underworld to search for her missing brother, with the mysterious Shadowhunters as her only allies.Product Description 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 ...more

A brilliant fantasy novel.  It is the reign of Queen Victoria, and orphaned Tessa Grey arrives in London in search of her brother.  She met by the terrifying Mrs Black and Mrs Dark - and her world is turned upside down.  Forced to develop shape-shifting skills she never knew she had; she takes on the roles of people who have died. 

Finally managing to escape their clutches, she meets up with the ShadowHunters who are searching for a demonic killer.  There is one clue - membership of the Pandemonium Club, and Tessa's brother is linked to it.  Tessa joins forces with the Shadowhunters to seek ways of controlling her power and finding her brother. 

The situation gets even more complex, when Tessa discovers she is a Downworlder  and has to trust her natural enemies, the Shadowhunters.  What are the secrets of the Shadowhunters?  Why is Will hiding his true nature? 

Why is Jem being slowly destroyed? Can Tessa save herself and those she is coming to love and care for? What is the role her brother plays in all this? And just what is the clockwork angel? As she discovers, magic is dangerous and love more dangerous still. 

A convoluted, tensely written story which makes a compelling read. Clockwork Angel is the first in a series of stories under the title The Infernal Devices. They act as a prequel to   Clare's best-selling Mortal Instruments series.