Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare



First line: The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts.



The year is 1878. A killer stalks the dark streets of London, flaying his victims alive and removing their skin, leaving behind the stench of demonic witchcraft wherever he strikes. Seeking his identity, the Shadowhunters of the London Institute find one clue: a membership badge for a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club. Some of London’s richest and most successful men are members. But which of them is the killer, and what is his ultimate goal?
Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray’s search for her missing brother — once a member of the Pandemonium Club — leads her into Victorian-era London's dangerous supernatural underworld, where vampires stalk the gas lit streets of London, werewolves slink in the shadowy lanes of Whitechapel, and warlocks hold masquerade balls for demons and Downworlders in opium-smoke-filled ballrooms. When Tessa discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must learn to trust her natural enemies, the demon-killing Shadowhunters, if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother. Torn between beautiful Will, a Shadowhunter hiding his true nature, and the devoted Jem, whose own deadly secret is slowly destroying him, Tessa must draw on all her strength to save her brother and keep herself alive in this deadly new world.



Clockwork Angel is great...if you want a laugh. This book had so much potential yet Cassandra Clare murdered every bit it had. It is the prequel to the bestselling Mortal Instruments series and they are so alike you can't help but scoff! The first thing you notice is the names, in Clockwork Angel you have Tessa Gray. In City of Glass you have Clary Fray. Next you notice the writing, although some places it is wonderful and lush in others it seems to be written by an ammature. As an example I am including a passage from the book:



"He coughed, and a great mass of blood poured out of his mouth and down his chin. He didn't seem to notice. 'Take care of Sophie, Will. Sophie is-' But Will never found out was Sophie was, because (Cough cough)'s hand went suddenly slack, and his hand fell away and struck the stone floor with an ugly thump."



Although the passage has wonderful imagery I could not help but laugh when I read it. The only good thing about this book, is the clothing and scenery. I would not recommend this book to anyone, simply because the plot is awful, the writing horrendous, and although it seems to be imposable Cassandra Clare seemed to plagiarize herself!