Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices, Book 1

By: Cassandra Clare

Narrated by: Jennifer Ehle

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When 16-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.

©2010 Cassandra Clare (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Slow to Start...but Keep Going

I got this book because of my love for The Mortal Instruments series (also by Cassandra Clare). Going into it I understood that we would still be dealing with Downworlders and Shadowhunters, but instead of the story being set in present time NY, this time we would be in 1878 London. Aside from the century and the location, the basic plot is a lot like TMI series.
But unlike TMI series, this book seems a lot slower paced. There were quite a few times when I was just going to give up, and stop listening, and boy, I'm glad I didn't. Not just for the fact that I realized that Magnus Bane is in this book, but also because it was around the half way point in the book when things started to pick up. I will definitely be reading (or listening) to the Clockwork Prince when it is released, 12/6/11.

Not as good as the Mortal Instruments

Unlike seemingly everyone else, I was dissappointed with this book. It just didn't come up to par with The Mortal Instruments for me. And that's not just because I miss my Jace ;)

So, I think the book had a promising start with the prologue, but I can't say I liked the first part with Tess trapped in that horrible place with the Dark Sisters. I just don't think having the main character in the custody of the enemy is a good start for a book. I mean, it worked for the whole plot of course, but it just isn't something I prefer. I was so thankful when she finally got the heck out of there, because it was so creepy--and not in a good way. It was as if Clare wanted to break Tessa before she'd even really begun her journey.

A few things that bothered me about the writing: too many long, boring conversations from characters I did not care about. And when people are given dialgue, explaining things that happened to them in the past, they talk as if they're writing a book, which I find rather jarring. A character says this at one point: "I can barely describe my sense of shock as I stared around me--creatures of indescribable grotesqueness filled the room. The Dark Sisters were there, leering at me from behind their whist cards, their nails like talons." And then "I was drawn to the gaming table like a moth to light," and "I emerged in the dawn" etc etc.. I doubt many people talk in similies, or as if they are writing a novel.

The plot of the book, with the automatons and everything just isn't my cup of tea, but I won't take any stars away for this, because it's just my personal opinion, and I believe it was done/written well and decribed as accurately as something like this can be. I could always clearly picture every single scene as though I were looking down on the characters from above, and I suppose that almost made up for the book not being to my taste. The villian wasn't precisely obvious from the beginning, but I had a pretty good idea who it was early on.

Cl

After enjoying Mortal Instruments, disappointing!

Too many characters for the reader to attempt voices. It became comical and distracting. Better if listened to at faster pace.

The fight portion was a great ascension if there had been something after... But there wasn't. I wanted/needed more.

Not my favorite of the Mortal Instruments series. But, fun to see bits of other books come in.

Glad I purchased on sale

Would you listen to Clockwork Angel again? Why?

I wouldn't listen again. Not only is Victorian/Steampunk genre fiction not my favorite and I have no real interest in reading the rest of the series, the performance of this book was so bad I was tempted to stop before it was over. For what limited range of British accent the narrator does have, she did not execute them well. It seems that she only has two to three accents, and used them inconsistently at best. Sometimes I had a difficult time recognizing the respective characters. That was enough to prevent me from checking out the rest.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Because it was the first of a series, I was expecting the end to be abrupt and incomplete. I was not surprised by it.

How could the performance have been better?

I honestly couldn't say. A different narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

none.

Great story

Would you listen to Clockwork Angel again? Why?

Defitnitely I love the story. I like how it keeps you guessing on what's going to happen next. I can't wait until clockwork princess comes out.

Outstanding prequel to Mortal Instruments Series

What made the experience of listening to Clockwork Angel the most enjoyable?

The imagery of trying to connect the prequel series to the Mortal Instruments Series.

What did you like best about this story?

honestly - all of it. I love the new characters, the origins story, the London setting.

What about Jennifer Ehle’s performance did you like?

Great narrator! I would listen to more of her narrations.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I almost did except for that pesky thing called a job!

Pretty much a rewrite of Earlier Series

A lesser version of her earlier works which were better. Worth reading if you really liked the first series but if you are looking for something new, don't bother.

Good "guilty listen"

What did you love best about Clockwork Angel?

The story line was good, I didn't predict EVERYTHING that happened but enough that it wasn't like listening to a roller coaster thriller.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was engaging and did a nice job of bringing the reader into Tessa's world

Did Jennifer Ehle do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I thought Ms Ehle could have done a better job narrating. Her voice was a little dry and slow for my tastes

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nothing was particularly moving.

Any additional comments?

The story fits in its genre very nicely and is what I consider a bit of a guilty read - there will be no great knowledge or personal betterment from reading this book but it is fun to pass the time with.

Fun

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this to a friend for a fun read.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was strong and I was compelled to continue the series.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jennifer Ehle?

Definitely

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Not a great narrator

This was the exact same story as mortal instruments. I still enjoyed it but it was like reading MI again but with British accents.

The narrator kept mixing up which characters had which voices and accents making it super annoying to follow who was talking.