Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Device #1)

Title: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Published: August 31^st, 2010 by Simon & Schuster

Source: Purchased for Audible

Format: Audiobook narrated by Jennifer Ehle

Genre: Steampunk | Paranormal | Romance

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series. The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

Review

Let me start by explaining why I took so long to start this series.  I was mad. There, I said it.  Why was I mad?  Well, I loved Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, that is until she turned it from a trilogy to a series of six books.  I was happy with the ending of City of Glass and so disappointed when I realized that it was not the ending of the series.  Anyway, I decided to read (listen) to Clockwork Angel, and I Ioved it!

I think in many ways I enjoyed Clockwork Angel even better than the Mortal Instruments.  I love steampunk and this book has plenty of it, from angels to robots and nice doohickeys. 

I think what made the book for me were the characters.  Tessa, is a mystery for sure.  She doesn’t know what she is, but she has a really neat power.  Tessa is very pragmatic and tries to take this new world and her new circumstances in stride.  She is loyal, smart, and not afraid to voice her opinion.  Will and Jem are Shadowhunters, blood brothers and best friends; and yet so different.  Will is very handsome, strong, stubborn, loyal, intelligent, and devious and tries very hard to push everyone away.  Jem is so sweet, calm, composed, resigned, yet strong, loyal and the default peace maker. Can you smell the love triangle coming?  I can from a mile away!

There is no shortage of amazing supporting characters: strong Charlotte, scatter minded Henry, bitter Jessamine, lovely Sophie, the always grand Magnus, and much more.  Our evil figure here (well, the main one at least) is The Magister and we really don’t know too much about his throughout the story.

Cassandra Claire is a genius in many levels.  Her writing is so good, it takes serious talent to invent a world full of new and old beings, of mythology, stories, culture and make you not only understand what it all means, but learn to love it.  The plot of the Clockwork Angel is very intricate, full of mystery and betrayal.  It is one of the things that makes the story so interesting and addictive. 

I already had the chance to listen to Clockwork Prince and it is, if at all possible, even better.  I can’t wait to read the last book in the series, and I will.  Soon.

About the audiobook: I really like the narrator of the book, the pace and voices.

About the cover:  The cover of the Clockwork Angel is beautiful.  We can see Will in all his handsomeness and with light coming out of his runes.  In the background we see clockwork and the city of London.  On the forefront is Tessa’s angel.  As I said, beautiful.

Stacking the Shelves #45

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi gorgeous people!  Another busy week comes to a close.  I'm looking forward to some relaxation today (Saturday) as I'm going to the Frederick Book Festival, other Maryland bloggers are going as well and it should be fun! I'm also counting the days until BEA (12?)  Below are the new beauties stacking my shelves this week:

Purchased (or Free) for Kindle 

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden - I read two books from Sarah Eden in the past few months and I loved them both, I can't wait to read this one.

Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden - Ditto

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard - I participated in the cover reveal for this book and it was a great deal for Kindle.

Gifts

My wonderful babies got me these for Mothers Day last week (do they know their mama or what?):

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris - This is the last book of the Southern Vampire series and although I can't wait for the ending, I'm a little sad to see it go.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - I CANNOT wait to read this one. I'm such a big fan of his Monstrumologist series!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Well, I haven't read these books yet, but now I have the trilogy :)

Hunger Games Bookmark

Also from hubby I got these two movies based on books:

Safe Heaven

Silver Linings Playbook - I saw this one already and it was awesome!

I also purchased some books to get them signed at the book fair, but I'll share those with you next week :)

What's stacking your shelves this week?

Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start but I Haven't Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

These are the series that I haven't started and that I wish I had, I even have some of these books (at least book #1), and I hope I get to them soon!

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 

2.  Everneath by Brodi Ashton 

3.  Delirium by Lauren Oliver

4.  The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare 

5.  Matched by Ally Condie

6.  Lux by Jennifer Armentrout 

7.  The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo 

8.  Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

9.  Jessica Darling by Megan McCafferty

10. Slammed by Colleen Hoover

What series do you wish you'd start soon?  Which series should I start first? 

Top Ten Authors I'd Put On My Auto-Buy List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

My list could be quite long as I love many authors, but here are my Top Ten (that's what this is about, right?) 

1. Stephanie Perkins author of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door - I will read ANYTHING she writes (Isla, anyone?) 

2.  Sarah Dessen author of The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and Along for the Ride - I have yet to read a book by Sara Dessen that I haven't like, and I've read them all!

3.  Rae Carson author of The Girl of Fire and Thorns - This series is amazing! Like awesomely amazing, the writing is incredibly good and the characterization is, well, amazing ! (Yes, I used 'amazing ' three times, she deserves it ;)

4.  John Green author of The Fault in Our Stars - If you haven't read TFiOS, you must do so right now.  This man is an artist with words, that's all I'm saying...

5.  Maggie Stiefvater author of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series - Maggie's writing is lyrical, beautiful and her characters will stay with you forever.

6.  Gayle Forman author of If I Stay and Just One Day - Oh my goodness!  Her books are so awesome, full of feeling and growth and awesomeness. 

7.  Julia Quinn author of the Bridgertons series - Her writing style is similar to reading an Austen book. Her stories are funny, romantic and quirky. 

8.  Abbi Glines author of the Breathe series and The Vincent Boys - So romantic, so good, so amazing. 

9.  Julie Kagawa author of the Iron Fey series - Ash came out of her extraordinary mind, enough said.

10. Cassandra Clare author of the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series - I have to confess to be behind in my reading, but I do own every single one of her books.  *sigh* Jace...

What's in your Top Ten list this week?

Stacking the Shelves #37

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi gorgeous people!  I didn't posted my STS last week as I had out-of-town visitors. Here's two week's worth of books:

Purchased (or Free for Kindle)

Waiting for You by Shey Stahl - I saw this book while browsing in Amazon and it has amazing reviews there and in Goodreads.  It sounds like a great road-trip book and the cover is so pretty.

Sanctum by Sarah Fine - I saw a review for this book from Ashley at Book Nook and couldn't help but give it a try.

Vain by Amelie Fisher - I think I found out about this book from my dashboard in GoodReads.  It looks awesome!

Rapture by Phillip Simpson - I've been meaning to read this one forever!  Now  I can. 

Painted Blind by Michelle Hansen - I love Greek mythology and this book is a re-telling of Psyche and Cupid's myth.

Library

Crash by Lisa McMann - Love this author and this cover is so pretty, the flames in her eye are shiny!

The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver - I'm probably the only person in the planet that hasn't read the Delirium series! Anyway, this MG book looks so cute, right?

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - I have a copy of the book, but picked the audio book from the library

Changeless by Gail Garriger - I read Soulless a while back and checked book #2 of the series in audio format to continue.

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl - It just looks so sweet :)

Audible

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - No explanation needed!

For Review

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson - I had this one as my WoW a few months ago, can't wait to read it!

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa - By Julie!  I guess now I have to read the first book...

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Meade - By Richelle Meade!  Another one I can't wait to read.

What's is stacking your shelves this week?  Have you read any of these?  

Top Ten of 2012: Best Covers

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

Here they are in all their amazingly beautiful glory!

What do you think?  Do we have any in common?  Leave me a link so I can see your beauties!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

If the size of my TBR list in Goodreads is any indications 2013 is going to be a great year for YA.  I have so many books that I'm eager to get my hands (and eyes) on!  Most of them will probably turn out to be series (a lot of 'last' books coming up too!)

1.  If I Should Die by Amy Plum - This is the conclusion of the Revenants series, and after that cliffhanger, I just can't wait for this book. Oh my!  Did you see that there is going to be an 2.5 eBook?  The title is Die for Her and is due to be published in April (*swoons a little*)

2.  Divergent #3 by Veronica Roth - There is no even a title for the book yet, but I want it!

3.  The Final Descent by Rick Yancey - This is book number four and the conclusion of the Monstrumologist series. 

4.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3 by Laini Taylor - This is a yet-to-be title book, but I cannot get enough of this series!

5.  City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare - The conclusion (finally!) to the Mortal Instruments series.

6.  Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - By the author of some of my favorite books, Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, this book promises to be a favorite.

7.  Just One Day by Gayle Forman - If I Stay was an amazing read, this one should be great.

8.  The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen - I will read anything Sarah Dessen writes and I'm sure to love it.

9.  Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins - Love you Kaidan!

10. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis - Finally!  The conclusion to another great series. 

I knew I wouldn't be able to stop at ten!  Here are a few more:  The conclusion to the Body Finder series, the Darkness Rising series, the Wintercraft series, the Goddess Test series, and the Angelfire series; Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger, Crash by Lisa McMann, Dare You To by Katie McGarry and many more...

What books are you eagerly waiting for next year? 

Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

To me, this means a group of books that I re-read many times.  Here's mine: 

1.   The Iron Knight by Julie Kawaga - I love the Iron Fey series and I could read this one over an over and over. 

2.   The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - This is my favorite Dessen's  book, love it.

3.   The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - One of my favorite series ever!  It's so good and I'll be content to read this book again and again.

4.   Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - This is my favorite of the Bridgerton series, Penelope and Colin are some of my favorite characters. 

5.   Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - Because everyone needs to laugh!

6.   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows by J.K. Rowling - The amazing ending to an amazing series :)

7.   Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - This story always puts a smile on my face :)

8.   City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - I read this book at the ending of an incredible series and I was quite happy with it. 

9.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - One of the most beautiful stories ever written, sometimes crying is a good thing.

10. The Bible - No explanation needed, right?

Other contenders might be: The Sky is Everywhere, Pushing the Limits, Perfect Chemistry, Throne of Glass, Sweet Evil, Daughter of Smoke and Bones, Willow, Divergent, Anna and the French Kiss,  and many more (of course!).

What books would you take with you? 

Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

1.  John Green - I can't wait to meet him (he is going to be at the DC National Book Festival this weekend) and tell him how good The Fault in Our Stars is!

2.  Cassandra Clare - The creator of an amazing world has to be an extraordinary lady :)

3.  J.K. Rowling - This lady has a serious imagination, I would love to talk to her for five minutes!

4.  Richelle Mead - Vampire Academy. Rose and Dimitri.  Need I say more?

5.  Sarah Maas - I LOVE Throne of Glass, if you haven't read it yet you are missing an awesome story and amazing characters. 

6.  Rick Riordan - I love Greek mythology and it really doesn't get better than this.

7.  Scott Westerfeld - Barking spiders!  The Leviathan series is amazing... (reading Goliath right now!)

8.  Veronica Roth - Wouldn't you love to talk about 'Four' with her? 

9.  Julia Quinn - Ms. Quinn is my favorite historical romance author. Her books are so funny that having a conversation with her should be a riot :)

10. Gail Carriger - She is the author of the Parasol Protectorate series, I would love to have tea with her (and scones too!)

I have been lucky enough to meet some of my favorite authors at book signings before, such as Sarah Dessen, Julie Kagawa, Rachel Vincent, Maggie Stiefvater, Maria Snyder, Jonathan Maberry, and Rachel Vincent. 

What author or blogger do you want to meet?