Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

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Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Source: Bought Paperback
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: March 1st 2011
Age Genre: Young Adult

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. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by — and torn between — two best friends and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Yep, you're reading this right. A mere three and a half stars. I thought Clockwork Angel might be a different reading experience to me than TMI--pretty much everyone agrees it is the better of the two series. I desperately wanted it to be. I wanted to be swept into Clare's world like so many other do. But alas, such was not the case.

I think the main issue I have with Clare's books is that they just fail to properly grab me. I always end up reading them really slowly, unable to consume large quantities at once. It tires me. In this particular story, I kept flipping to the end, in the hope of peaking my interest. It mostly didn't help, aside for spoiling the Big Bad for me, which in turn made me upset about the lack of hinting in his direction (that I could note).

Then there was the romance. In TMI (first trilogy), I was kind of onboard. I liked Jace, and I liked that there was never really a love triangle. I was looking forward to the romance in TID, seeing as everyone freakin' loves Will and Jem.

Did I get what I was hoping for? Nope. Aside for the fact I did not swoon for Will (he was kind of too inconsistent for me, hot than cold and over again, and while I'm sure we're going to explore his past and get his redemption, that's not done in this book), I did not understand why Tessa was falling for him.

The few decent interaction they had ended poorly. It was insta love, from start to finish. Jem, at the very least, was very sweet to our MC. Falling for him, especially at this point, would've made much more sense.

To be completely honest, I was way more interested in the side characters, such as Charlotte & Henry, and Sophie. I kept looking forward to their scenes, wanted to see how their stories would play out. If I read on (which will probably happen as I already own the third book), it will be mostly for these guys. Sorry!

   Nitzan★