Scary Beasties and A Love Triangle Does Not Make a Book

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Summary: Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-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.

Review: Yet another young adult novel with supernatural creatures and a love triangle.

First and foremost, this book was not steampunk. Sure, there were some clockwork devices and clockwork automatons, but that was about it. I know that steampunk books can certainly have some supernatural creatures within their pages, but Clockwork Angel focused so heavily on supernatural beings, to the exclusion of just about everything else. I did like the mythology behind the supernatural creatures. I liked the concepts of mudanes, Downworlders, and Shadowhunters. It is a bit hard to believe that teenagers would be fighting supernatural beings and why aren't there move of them?

Second, why a love triangle? Frankly, I saw no reason for anyone to love Tessa nor did I love between Tessa, Jem, and Will. Tessa irked me and she felt so useless even though she had an interesting and useful power. Will was a jerk, plain and simple. He wasn't a likable jerk either (unlike a character like Dr. House). I get that he is attractive, but what's beyond that? Nothing much that I could see. I really liked Jem. He was a great character and I hope that he winds up with someone better than Tessa, perhaps Will (even though I know that won't happen and while I did say Will was a jerk, Jem and Will have their own unique relationship).

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that like supernatural creatures and don't mind love triangles in their ya books.