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Tessa Gray is introduced to the Shadowhunter world of Victorian England when she moves from America to live with her brother. However, it isn’t Tessa’s brother waiting for her as she comes ashore, and she is kidnapped by two evil warlocks called the Dark Sisters who work for the “Magister”. Tessa is saved from her kidnappers by Shadowhunters, and she tells them what the Dark Sisters revealed to her, that Tessa has immense powers. Working with the brash, unfeeling Will and the kind, sickly Jem, will Tessa be able to find out just what it is the Magister wants with her before it is too late?

Tessa Gray is one of my favorite literary characters because she is strong, compassionate, and we share a love of books. Tessa makes many literary comparisons throughout the story and one of the things she loves the most about the London Institute is its beautiful library. Tessa faces many trials, such as her brother’s gambling and involvement with dark magic, yet she stays strong and meets the issues with poise. Tessa knows her worth and she is extremely observant of what others are feeling. Of all of Cassandra Clare’s characters, Tessa is my favorite.

Will Herondale is a volatile character whose motives are not yet explained in Clockwork Angel. He feels for Tessa, but believes that he shouldn’t. Will hides his emotions behind an arrogant and heartless exterior, pushing away anyone who might care for him. The conflict between Will and Tessa in the story is constant, with only Jem as a buffer. Towards the end of the book Will insults Tessa terribly, leaving them on bad terms for the sequel.

Clockwork Angel was the first of Cassandra Clare’s stories centered on a Downworlder instead of a Shadowhunter. Downworlders are beings such as warlocks, faeries, vampires, and werewolves. It was interesting to read a book where the main character had powers like Tessa’s, even though she was living among Shadowhunters. Tessa’s unique ability to turn into another person, even access their thoughts, was amazing and I enjoyed reading about it. I also liked that the book was set in Edwardian London, because it gave a different perspective on the Shadowhunter world than just present day New York, where the Mortal Instruments was set.

Clockwork Angel is the first in the Infernal Devices series, but it is not Cassandra Clare’s first series about Shadowhunters. In Clockwork Angel it is assumed that you have already read Cassandra Clare’s first Shadowhunter series, the Mortal Instruments. Although the Infernal Devices is set before the Mortal Instruments in terms of the time period, reading this book before reading the Mortal Instruments would be difficult and confusing. I recommend that you read the Mortal Instruments first, as it introduces the world of Shadowhunters in a way that the Infernal Devices does not.

I would rate Clockwork Angel a nine out of ten stars. I loved this story, especially Tessa and Will’s characters. For those who have read Cassandra Clare’s other series, it is exciting to meet some of the characters from those books in a different time. I would definitely recommend this to other readers.

Checkout Clockwork Angel from the Newport Beach Public Library.