CLOCKWORK ANGEL is the first book in Cassandra Clares highly anticipated new series, The Infernal Devices, sort of a prequel to the Mortal Instruments series. It delivers Clares now-signature mix of gritty urban fantasy, fights, witty banter, and love triangles, and, while theres nothing really new about the setup, it will still satisfy TMI fans, and is one of those rare books that I know will get better with subsequent guilty-pleasure rereadings.
Theres a decent amount of good to be said about all of Cassandra Clares books. Technically, not that much happens in the 400 or so pages her books span, but you dont realize it because youre so caught up in the drama and the smirk-inducing dialogue that makes you wish you had thought of that quip yourself. Her books dont have the depth that the setup has the potential forthere is a LOT of political discussion that could surround the Shadowhunter/Downworlder dynamicbutat least for methe love triangle and the dialogue are typically so well done that I dont even care that the potential for deeper issues isnt explored.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL follows in this mold. The first 100 or so pages were frustrating for me because, Ill be honest here, I read Clares books for the love triangle and the snark, and it was mostly just Tessa being damsel-in-distress-y at the clutches of the nefarious Dark Sisters. Then suddenly it was Page 200 and Im wondering, Did anything actually happen, or was I once again seduced by Wills quips into not noticing that little has happened by way of plot so far?
The actual plot of CLOCKWORK ANGEL unfolds almost painfully slowly, if we were to actually examine it. Like in the Mortal Instruments series, the villain of the book, the Magister, retains a status of villainy that never fully manifests into true villainy. Like Valentine, the Magister is the villain mostly because all of the other characters insist that he is and whisper fearfully about him. I suppose, though, that this is part of my emotional disconnect from the book, in that reading it felt, for me, like watching a silly-good TV show in which everyone says funny things, and drama happens, but then I shut off the TV and their voices go quiet in my head.
This is not at all saying that this is a bad book, not at all! CLOCKWORK ANGEL is good at what it is: a sinfully entertaining paranormal series with lots of flashy fights and swoony romances. Will is too similar to Jace in his humor and mannerisms for me to actually crush on him (Jace is number one in my heart, after all), but Jems genuine (at least, lets hope its genuine) sensitivity towards Tessas endears him to me. The main female character is once again a breathless ninny inclined to shrieks and rescues, but hey, whatever, okay, if it floats your boat.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL once again displays Cassandra Clares writing strengths: snarky humor and swoon-worthy (albeit a bit predictably so) guys. Comparison to the Mortal Instruments series is inevitable, and there are a troubling number of similarities between the two books so far. Im hoping there will begin to be differences in the next installment, but meanwhile, Im keeping this on my shelf to reread whenever I need some smile-inducing, flutters-in-my-stomach pick-me-up reads.
Theres a decent amount of good to be said about all of Cassandra Clares books. Technically, not that much happens in the 400 or so pages her books span, but you dont realize it because youre so caught up in the drama and the smirk-inducing dialogue that makes you wish you had thought of that quip yourself. Her books dont have the depth that the setup has the potential forthere is a LOT of political discussion that could surround the Shadowhunter/Downworlder dynamicbutat least for methe love triangle and the dialogue are typically so well done that I dont even care that the potential for deeper issues isnt explored.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL follows in this mold. The first 100 or so pages were frustrating for me because, Ill be honest here, I read Clares books for the love triangle and the snark, and it was mostly just Tessa being damsel-in-distress-y at the clutches of the nefarious Dark Sisters. Then suddenly it was Page 200 and Im wondering, Did anything actually happen, or was I once again seduced by Wills quips into not noticing that little has happened by way of plot so far?
The actual plot of CLOCKWORK ANGEL unfolds almost painfully slowly, if we were to actually examine it. Like in the Mortal Instruments series, the villain of the book, the Magister, retains a status of villainy that never fully manifests into true villainy. Like Valentine, the Magister is the villain mostly because all of the other characters insist that he is and whisper fearfully about him. I suppose, though, that this is part of my emotional disconnect from the book, in that reading it felt, for me, like watching a silly-good TV show in which everyone says funny things, and drama happens, but then I shut off the TV and their voices go quiet in my head.
This is not at all saying that this is a bad book, not at all! CLOCKWORK ANGEL is good at what it is: a sinfully entertaining paranormal series with lots of flashy fights and swoony romances. Will is too similar to Jace in his humor and mannerisms for me to actually crush on him (Jace is number one in my heart, after all), but Jems genuine (at least, lets hope its genuine) sensitivity towards Tessas endears him to me. The main female character is once again a breathless ninny inclined to shrieks and rescues, but hey, whatever, okay, if it floats your boat.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL once again displays Cassandra Clares writing strengths: snarky humor and swoon-worthy (albeit a bit predictably so) guys. Comparison to the Mortal Instruments series is inevitable, and there are a troubling number of similarities between the two books so far. Im hoping there will begin to be differences in the next installment, but meanwhile, Im keeping this on my shelf to reread whenever I need some smile-inducing, flutters-in-my-stomach pick-me-up reads.
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