Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS REVIEW CAN BE FOUND ON MY NEW BLOG!

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★

Who Wore it Better: City of Bones

Who Wore it Better is an original meme I brought with me from Drugs Called Books. In it, instead of discussing fashion or cloths, we discuss book covers from different countries, and who has the best cover. The meme is co-hosted with the lovely Amanda from The Book Badger and will be featured on her blog every other week, so check her out as well!  

It's been a REALLY long time since we last did a Who Wore It Better Post! First I had boot camp, then settled into my life as a soldier... Well, we're back, and that's what's important! :) We're starting this time's WWIB with one of the most well love series on earth right now - the Mortal Instruments! God only knows how we haven't considered it before now...
(I weeded out the extremely ugly ones...)

English One – I really love this cover, always have. I love the colors, the composition, the guy and the city. I love the intricate patterns on the torso, only half visible. I think it's smart they went with depicting Jace - a hot, male chest is more likely to attract the girls than a woman's - even though this book is a lot more Clary's story than his. He would've had a more fitting place on the second/third book, but I can't argue with the reasoning. I also adore the fact it says the series name/number on it. I wish every series did that.

English Two – I've never seen this cover before. I rather reckon it didn't sale well, and that's the reason. This cover could've had potential, if they would've stuck to the illustrated feel of the city. But they didn't. Instead they pasted a face on it. That could've been alright... if they hadn't felt the need to draw on it with a pen. That seriously how it looks. No work was put into making the mark look real, or at the very least a part of the face. The result: yuck.

English Three - I like this one. I like the color, I like the double-city double-reality vibe. Or maybe more like underworld vibe? Like a city underneath our city... it works, especially with the plot taken into consideration. And boy, am I happy not to see any actor's face on it...

Chinese - This one looks like a movie poster. And it makes me think of mysteries and suspense novels, less of City of Bones. But it does look cool, I'll give it that.

German – I like this one. I like the color, the simplicity. I like that it has no model on it, no face. Just this ominous mark above it all.

Polish –  I don't really like this one. I don't like the dark background, I don't like the way they drew Jace (and really, Clary would've been a much more fitting character for the cover in this case), I don't like the font. I do think the artist is talented, but I wish he'd never given Jace a face. 

All around... my favorite is the original one. 

Nitzan★