Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Tessa Gray is a 16-year-old girl living a normal life with her aunt in New York City.  When her aunt dies suddenly, she sails to Victorian London to live with her brother.  However, upon arriving in England her brother is nowhere to be found and she is instead met by the Dark sisters.  The sisters kidnap Tessa and force her to learn to use a magical power she never knew she possessed—the ability to shape-shift.  Upon learning that she is being groomed by the sisters to marry a mysterious stranger called the Magister, Tessa runs away from the Dark sisters with the help of a handsome Shadowhunter named Will.  Will takes Tessa to the sanctuary of the Shadowhunters, where she meets other Shadowhunters and begins to learn about the Downworld of vampires, demons, and warlocks, and the half-angel Shadowhunters who fight them.  In exchange for helping her find her missing brother, Tessa agrees to use her ability to help the Shadowhunters find the Magister and solve the mystery of the clockwork automatons that are being built with murdered human parts.  As Tessa struggles to understand her unique power and her place in this new world, she also struggles with her feelings for the charming, volatile Will and his best friend, the tender, quiet James.

This book is highly recommended for young adults in a public or school library.  As the first book in the Infernal Devices series (and a prequel to the wildly popular Mortal Instruments series), readers will be drawn into the dark, deadly Downworld of the Shadowhunters and will be eager for the next series installments.  Clare blends science fiction, fantasy, mystery, steampunk, and romance to create a story that appeals to fans of multiple genres.  The rich history and characters of this new world, and the continuing mysteries at the end of the book, will entice readers to the second book, Clockwork Prince, and keep them waiting for the third book, Clockwork Princess (scheduled to release in March 2013).

Learn More

Watch the official book trailer for Clockwork Angel:

You can learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters on Cassandra Clare's website, blog, or Flickr page. You can also connect with Cassandra on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Book 2: Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince, the second book of the Infernal Devices series, was released in December 2011.  Watch the official book trailer below to learn more about this book:

Book 3: Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess, the third book of the Infernal Devices series, is scheduled to release in March 2013.  View the countdown to its release below:





Clare, Cassandra.  Clockwork Angel.  New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010.  Print.
978-1416975861; Hardback; $12.00; 479 pages

Also available in paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats.