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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
[may 11th 2025]
read this for the 4th time and im still obsessed
read this for the 4th time and im still obsessed
Sexy and poetic, CLOCKWORK ANGEL is better than THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS before it. The characters are realer, the pacing is better managed, and I fell more in love with the characters than ever before. Tessa, Jem, and Will are now dear friends.
I think I liked this better than TMI. I am only halfway through TMI and stopped after CoG to read TID as we are supposed to do. So I can say that this book, as a first of a trilogy was better than CoB. I don't know if that is because we are familiar with the Shadowhunter world, or if that is because this book is just really good. Really really good. If I didn't have my exams to study for, would have read it in 2 days.
I'm going to go deeper into the book, so if you liked TMI, or maybe if you had mixed feelings, read this book, you won't regret it.
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
Review to come.
I'm going to go deeper into the book, so if you liked TMI, or maybe if you had mixed feelings, read this book, you won't regret it.
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
Review to come.
Primero, empecemos diciendo que AMO a WILL HERONDALE. Vale, despues de haber dicho eso podemos seguir. La verdad es que este libro me encanta. Me encanta la historia, me encanta Will Herondale.... vale, vale, ya paro. La verdad es que encuentro varias similitudes entre este libro y la saga principal. Pero me ha encantado.
WILL HERONDALE, TE AMO
WILL HERONDALE, TE AMO
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
""One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.""
I've been wanting to get my grabby hands on Clockwork Angel ever since it was released. However, I kept on making excuses when it came to purchasing the series, either it was too expensive, the last book wasn't out yet or I wasn't in the mood for historical fantasy. When our school library purchased this book I was euphoric. I WANTED to read it. But homework and school assignments invaded my life and I couldn't sit down for even a moment to dedicate my time to reading. I don't know if this affected my mood while I was reading Clockwork Angel, but I found it to be easy to put down. I even chose binge watching TV series over reading this book... Whew! That was a long-winded explanation....
Now, I'm going to be the black sheep of the bookish life!
For the first 200 pages, Clockwork Angel failed to hold my interest. I felt that there was no originality within the first 200 pages. The Victorian London setting might have been different from The Mortal Instrument Series, but the Shadowhunter world was exactly the same. The information that I found to be extremely interesting in The Mortal Instrument was being regurgitated to me. There was nothing exciting, interesting or promising. In fact, I was quite bored, due to two things:
1) No new experiences or information was gained from the world.
2) I had no nostalgic feeling of being in the Shadowhunter world again.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the world-building was bad. I'm just saying that the world-building felt redundant.
Thankfully, after the 200 pages, Clockwork Angel started to gain its own "voice" and a spark that set it slightly apart from Clare's previous works. However, it still felt unoriginal and predictable.
Clockwork Angel introduces us to many new characters. The main character, Tessa, is a bookworm (yay!), but apart from that, she was quite a flat character, with no personality and I couldn't relate to her at all.
The secondary characters had, surprisingly, more personality than Tessa. Jem is a cool guy with a sad story. Will is arrogant, rude and sarcastic. I will admit that I didn't like his personality at first, but I did get used to it. Unfortunately, apart from his looks, I didn't see his appeal. He also has a tragic back story. These two characters are Tessa's love interests. I didn't see why both guys were attracted to Tessa and I honestly don't understand why she was attracted to them. Luckily, the love triangle took a back seat to the plot. However, judging from this book, I have a good idea whom Tessa is going to end up with... I think I do.
My favourite characters in Clockwork Angel is Charlotte and Henry. Charlotte is small and petite, but she's an independent woman who single-handedly runs the institute with an iron-fist. Henry is Charlotte's husband. He's an absentminded inventor and was so adorable. I honestly wanted this book to be written from Charlotte's POV or I wanted to read Charlotte's story. If Cassandra Clare wrote a story about Charlotte or 900 stories about Charlotte and Henry, I would read them all.
This review sounds like I'm bashing Clockwork Angel, but I did enjoy it. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I WANTED to love this book, but my expectations were too high to be met. However Clockwork Angel has a solid plot, a cool historical setting, steampunk aspects and characters that aren't all bad to read about.
Fuck you, Cassandra Clare. Fuck you for making me care about your silly little world and characters, ugh.
Anyways, I love how Jessamine basically wanted her & Tessa to have a Boston Marriage (proof on my agenda should’ve been a lesbians). I love her even if she’s kind of a bitch, she’s got layers & it’s interesting seeing someone not super enthusiastic about being a Shadowhunter—unlike the characters in the main series. Tessa, on the other hand, isn’t exactly my favourite. I audibly sighed when she made a scene when Nate was about to get killed (way to sell the mission!!!) but like, I get it. I was severely disappointed that the iconic Will Herondale quotes are a bit cringe upon reread (the duck one & demon pox—especially the repetition of demon pox).
I am also even more convinced on reread that Jem truly was Tessa’s second choice & I just… :(
medium-paced
Another Winner from Cassandra Clare. This book is about a girl finding out about what she really is with a battle mixed in. This book is beautifuly written and flows easily. It is medium paced and I loved her descriptions of the battle. This book has everything in it including a love interest. It does end on a cliff hanger so make sure your ready for that 2nd book!
It was even better the second time I read it. Both Jem and Will make this book for me.
This book is like candy. I spent most of my non-working hours today reading it-- I'm finished now and want more. It's not necessarily the most artfully written book and certainly the author employs some very stereotypical tropes (Mary Sue, White Knight/Black knight); however, it is enticing enough to make me want to read the second book.