Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
As a book blogger, I often find myself drawn to the vibrant worlds and compelling characters that authors construct. Cassandra Clare’s "Clockwork Angel," the first in The Infernal Devices series, caught my attention as a steampunk foray into the Shadowhunter universe. However, this curiosity quickly dissolved into frustration, leaving me with an underwhelming reading experience that garnered just 1.5 stars from me. To be fair, my reading of Tiger’s Quest simultaneously colored my perception—when compared to that rich narrative, Clockwork Angel felt like a recycled echo.
From the outset, Clare introduces us to Tessa Gray, a young woman in search of her missing brother in Victorian London. The novel opens with a rather melodramatic line: “Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.” Honestly? It rubbed me the wrong way. Tessa’s journey unfolds in a world filled with Shadowhunters, demons, and all the drama that follows, yet it felt like I’d read it before—almost verbatim. It’s hard to shake the feeling that Tessa is a photocopy of Clary Fray from The Mortal Instruments, just dressed in period attire. The other characters followed suit: Will Herondale mimicked Jace’s smirk and bravado, while Jem felt like Simon in a new context.
My main beef with Tessa centers on her judgmental viewpoint. At times, her comments—like calling Brother Enoch’s appearance “frightening”—came off as rude and ungrateful. This stark attitude felt misaligned with her supposed role as a heroin—a character for readers to root for. The character dynamics just fell flat for me, particularly the troublesome attitudes displayed throughout the narrative. Will and Jem’s nonchalant reaction to a murdered girl highlighted a disconnect that left me shaking my head. And at no point did it feel natural for Tessa to not express gratitude towards those aiding her either—a glaring oversight in character development.
Writing style-wise, Clare’s prose felt somewhat uneven. Moments of tension were built up only to falter at crucial junctures, particularly in the climax where the Shadowhunters seemed more like naïve pawns than seasoned warriors. Plot twists felt predictable, more akin to a first draft rather than a polished product. One has to wonder if Clare can craft complex characters when her protagonists often devolve into cardboard cutouts of relics from her earlier works.
There were, however, glimmers of enjoyment. I appreciated the setting and the Victorian backdrop, which added an interesting layer to the supernatural elements. Some action sequences had a pulse, lending a breath of excitement amid the drudgery. Yet, notable lines or quotes that usually lingered long after reading fell into the background noise of my irritation.
Ultimately, "Clockwork Angel" might resonate with newcomers to Clare’s universe who enjoy the familiar tropes of shadowy romances and adventurous quests. Yet for those like me, who find depth and originality crucial in character-driven narratives, it risks disappointing. If nothing else, reading this left me yearning for complexity and a break from the tired tropes that permeate the genre.
So, if you can weather a story with its fair share of flaws and emotional detachment, Clockwork Angel may hold some entertainment. For myself, this experience reflects a reminder of the high standards I seek in my literary adventures.
Discover more about Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) on GoodReads >>