Book Review: Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Steampunk <3

Review:

Isn't the cover gorgeous? The fact that this is a steampunk novel makes it *that* much better :-)  This is actually my second time reading this book.  The first time I read it was about 1 year ago (or maybe 1.5 years?)  Anyways, I decided to refresh my memory a bit by rereading Clockwork Angel so that I could give it an accurate review.

I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, despite some of the issues I had with the characters (*cough cough* Will.)  It had all the elements of a true steampunk book: Victorian London-like setting, gears and curious inventions.  I mean seriously...automatons and demons? I'm in! 

Tessa, the main character of the book, is as lovable as I remember she to be. (Hm...I feel as if I have recently read a lot of books with a character named Tess/Tessa somewhere in there.)  She wasn't as particularly kick-ass as some other heroines, but she held her own opinions.  The author really used the mindset of London's 1800's society to highlight the inner character development Tessa had.  At the beginning, she thought that it was "scandalous" for a woman to wear pants...by the end of the novel, she had clearly gained some sort of inner confidence and has all the markings to be a Shadowhunter.

Alright...for those of you who haven't read this series yet, Shadowhunters are basically people with angel blood.  Their main job is to maintain peace between the Downworlders (ie. vampires, warlocks, werewolves) and mortal world.  

I love the whole concept of a hidden world right in the midst of normal London.  Plus, the descriptions of the setting were just awesome to read! I could totally paint the scene in my mind.  And the plot twist at the end of the novel--whew! I completely forgot about that plot twist despite I've already read the book before....it totally caught me off guard. But I love plot twists just as long if they are plausible (and this one definitely was believable!)

The main thing that irked me was Will's character.  I mean...god, I really wish I could like him but his actions just simply annoyed the crap out of me.  He was...I dunno...bipolar??? He would be all joking around one minute and then goading someone else into a fight the next.  I think Clare might've wanted Will's character to come across as having built up walls around his true self, but to me, he was simply acting a bit immature.  I really disliked how he kept on messing around with Tessa's head.  But there are some pros his character as well.  For example, he is very loyal to Jem and Thomas (his friends.)  I have a very strong feeling that as I continue on with this series, I will grow to like Will a lot more :-)

So, yeah....this is an awesome book for steampunk lovers or people who like to read historical fiction/fantasy.  If steampunk really isn't your cup of tea, try out The Mortal Instrument series, also written by Cassandra Clare (urban fantasy genre.)

Rating: