Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices, Book 1

By: Cassandra Clare

Narrated by: Jennifer Ehle

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When 16-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.

©2010 Cassandra Clare (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Melodramatic teenage story in an intriguing world

If you are between the ages of 10 and 16, and if you like Twilight, then you might just like this teenage romp through a very intriguingly magical version of 19th century London. However, if you're expecting a substantive plot, or believable characters, or exciting action between demons, vampires, and shadow-hunters... then you will be disappointed.

While the setting is intriguing and well-described, the story itself is full of melodramatic teenage angst, trite love-triangles, and overdone emotional description. The world feels small and cramped with very few and mostly unbelievable characters. I listened to it all, but - in the end - found that I really didn't care what happened to the characters.

Overall, it was not horrible. The world itself kept me interested, even if the plot could not.

It was OK

Any additional comments?

I wasn't super impressed by this. Mostly, I don't think I loved the protagonist, Tessa. Her character was inconsistent and I also could never really understand why either Will or Jem were so taken with her. She was a bit annoying overall and her naivety came across several times as just plain ol' stupidity.

It was also painfully slow at times and the story felt unoriginal, like pieces of a lot of other stories thrown together in a sort of semi-bland stir fry. Plus, nothing was ever really resolved. We don't get any real answers about Tessa's history or Wills. We get to see a bit about Jem who was one of the few characters that I liked, but his "illness" felt forced. I am a bit curious as to where all of this is going, but I'm not sure if I'm curious enough to keep reading. Maybe, but definitely, not right away.

Kudos to the narrator of the audiobook though - she was quite good with all of the accents

Thought it would be better...

I loved the first three mortal instruments and altho I couldn't get into the last three books I had high hopes for this series. I'm not sure if it was the time period or just the story but I struggled to finish. I was not bound to any of the characters and while I'm a bit curious of their next adventure I could just as easily be satisfied reading a synopsis.
The narrator did fine with the accents but agreed no life to the story. Best of luck to the next reader... Not bad but not for me.

Standard Teen Supernatural Fare

Not too bad. Story was well paced with few slow parts. Enough surprises to not be sure ahead of time who was the arch villain of the piece. A good read if you like teen supernatural fare.

can not wait till the next book!

i absolutely love love love this book, the idea, the time period, the characters i was so impressed by the authors writing, and it has a huge plot twist at the end i am def. a fan!

brilliant

i absolutely love this series. i couldnt stop listening to it. cant wait to listen to the next book.

Needs new narrator

Slower than most of the Mortal Instruments books. However enjoyed the story. Narrator was horrible.

Entertaining

Like other Cassandra Clare books, this is an entertaining and easy book to listen to or read. I liked the Immortal instruments series, so I gave this series a try and enjoyed it. This book was a great start to another series filled with adventure, mystery and romance with shadow hunters and downworlders.

I love this book!

I have re listened and re read this book now probably 8 times in total and I love it more each time.

Beginning of series for all ages

It’s 1878 and 17 yr old New York girl Tessa arrives in London to join her older brother after her aunt dies. And things keep happening that she doesn’t understand. First she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters and tormented-trained into shape shifting into other people. Just before she will be forced to wed the Magister, she is rescued by Will Herondale and the Shadowhunters who are tasked to protect humans from Downworlders and their own.
Part fantasy, part steampunk, part mystery this story is satisfying on many levels for all ages.
I’ll take this series or Twilight over the ugliness and dystopia of Hunger Games “any day of the week and twice on Sunday”.

I got a real kick out of Jennifer Ehle reading this book. I believe her Elizabeth Bennett to Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy on PBS to be the most authentic. Smiles.
Enjoy!