Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices, Book 1

De: Cassandra Clare

Narrado por: Jennifer Ehle

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the “compulsively readable” (Booklist) first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series! Clockwork Angel is a Shadowhunters novel.

When 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 a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform 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 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.

A great listen but...

I greatly enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the sequel, but I had a problem with the narrator. She would mess up on people's voices, and confuse me as to who was speaking at times. Not to mention her extreme lack of emotion while she was reading. A few times, it seemed as if she'd put some emotion into the characters voices, but then she'd end in an almost dead-panned voice that made it sound rather flat and dull, and extremely annoying. If it wasn't for the narrator, I would have given it five stars.

Fantastic book!!

Loved it!! If you liked the Immortal instruments you will love this book. Great plot, lots of interesting characters, I was a little worried because I didn’t think Cassandra Clare could make a book as good or better than the immortal instruments; but WOW this book was just as incredible. Full of adventure, mystery, romance and will make you laugh, and make you want to just keep listening. The reader did an exhalent job with the voices and accents, kudos Jennifer Ehle. I’m just disappointed I have to wait so long for the next book. However, this book was a great start to an intriguing series. So buy it! You won’t be disappointed =]

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.