the Shadowhunters' beginnings

This novel has so many of the things I look for in a good book: magic, rich description, amazing dialogue, so many creative characters and plot points, and, of course, romance. I wasn't able to put this book down, and I am so excited to read the other two books that make up this prequel series. Clockwork Angel throws readers into a version of London humans -- or "mundanes," as the Shadowhunters call them -- are unable to see or understand. This is a world full of demons, non-human creatures called Downworlders, and the angelic Nephilim (or Shadowhunters) who all operate in a reality entirely set apart from the world that Tessa Gray thought she came from. Upon the discovery of her strange and frightening shapeshifting ability, Tessa is ushered into the Shadowhunter's Institute in the heart of London, soon meeting the Nephilim who live within its walls. There are mysteries, strange magic and lore, so many well-written and complex characters, and a plot that had me turning each page faster and faster. I think I loved the careful sense of planning and unique creativity that this story possesses the most; Cassandra Clare's imagination is truly phenomenal, and the world she has created within the pages of Clockwork Angel truly have me captivated. I am and will always be a sucker for amusing and troubled male characters as well, so of course William Herondale is one of my new favorite fictional characters. I also adore James/Jem Carstairs' calm and empathetic nature despite his tragic past. Like I said, I am so excited to start reading the next book to return to these as well as the other fantastic characters. Luckily I don't have to painfully wait for the next installment, unlike with The Inheritance Games! I haven't read The Mortal Instruments series that precedes The Infernal Devices in publication but comes after the series of events that occur in the latter. However, I may end up reading it if I love this trilogy at its conclusion as much as I do right now.


​

Some of my favorite quotes from Clockwork Angel:

"'How can you not understand?' He pointed at her books. 'You read novels. Obviously, I'm here to rescue you.'"

"'One must always be careful of books,' said Tessa. '"and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.'"

"Sometimes, when I have to do something I don't want to do, I pretend I'm a character from a book. It's easier to know what they would do."

"You've always been what you are. That's not new. What you'll get used to is knowing it."

"... she felt caught in the eddy of a powerful wave that threatened to pull her over and under, to crush and break her, to wear her down to softness as the sea might wear down a piece of glass."

---