Review: [Audiobook] Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

For this week I planned to be review Beautiful Darkness today, but I ended up changing that and doing Clockwork Angel instead. This may happen occasionally because I only read a book that I feel like reading at a time instead of forcing myself to read another one. This means that I may not read what I had planned for the week.

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

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.

This is the first time that I have ever actually listened to an audiobook. I decided that it was time for me to try it because it would allow me to get through some more books and also because my library started allowing online audiobook borrowing. I really enjoyed being able to listen to a book whilst I was doing other things. In some ways I found it to be a little more graphic, because I couldn’t skim read or miss anything, which I tend to do when I am caught up in the plot. Clockwork Angel was voiced by Jennifer Ehle and I thought that she did a good job.

I really loved the story. It was interesting and kept me guessing most of the way through. I loved the mixture of the shadow world and steampunk. In some ways though I found the story similar to City of Bones. I found that Tessa’s introduction to the shadow world was somewhat similar to that of Clary’s. I also found the relationship between Will and Tessa similar to that of Clary and Jace’s relationship. The plot was different to City of Bones though, and I really enjoyed the twists and turns throughout. I also loved the additional involvement of Mortals.

Tessa really intrigues me and I really liked her character. I didn’t find her a whiny character and I felt that she was a fairly sensible character. I loved her dedication to her brother. It was interesting to see her open up to the shadow hunters and to see her character develop. I am very interested in finding out more about her, like what she is and where she came from.

I really liked most of the other characters too. I loved the determination of Charlotte and how she managed to stay compassionate and kind. I loved the quirkiness of Henry and I hope he makes a successful invention that saves the day. I loved incorrigible Will, who at times I wanted to strangle or slap, and I adored Jem, the perfect gentleman. The only character I didn’t really like was Jessamine, and that was because she annoyed me. I did feel sorry for her though.

I really enjoyed this story, and I am definitely going to listen to more audiobooks in the future! I give Clockwork Angel 4/5 stars.

Mel.

Up next: Seven on Saturday – Series I have yet to finish