Published 6 September 2010
Summary from Walker - Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still... When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by - and torn between - two best friends, and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
To say I loved this book would be selling this story short. Having been an uber fan girl of Cassie's work since reading the first Mortal Instruments book City of Bones in 2007, there is nothing this woman has written that I wouldn't fight to read. Seriously, you could throw me in The Hunger Games with the prize being a copy of her book (preferably City of Fallen Angels) and you bet your ass I would go bat shit crazy on the other tributes. Okay, so yeah, I probably wouldn't go that far, but this woman has taught me how amazing books can affect people, how stories can stay with you long after you turn the last page and how readers can come together and make something wonderful. HOLLA to my Mundie Moms, y'all rock my socks off and i'm proud to be part of the team. Confession time, City of Bones was the first YA book I read and fell in love with. That book started this all!!
Having read Cassie's other books, I have already been introduced to the wonderful Shadowhunter world and everything this represents, and it's a credit to the writing and pace of the book that not once during the re-tellings of the Shadowhunter world and history did I ever loose concentration. No, the way the world was explained was infinitely different. The Accords have only recently been signed, which means there is a lot of unrest amongst Downworlders and Shadowhunters alike. It was so intriguing to uncover the unease the characters felt about the change and what it would mean for them in the future. Prejudice is a theme we visit often, whether it be looking down on the Downworlders, or even the gender of a character. Everything was handled in a way that made me think about how different life was in Victorian England and how certain choices I make now, would have been made by someone else on my behalf. And we all know I HATE being told what to do.
Tessa was an easily relatable and enjoyable protagonist. I have a soft spot for characters who are trying to find their place in the world and she definitely fit this bill. Having grown up knowing nothing about this secret world, to be thrown into crazy situations where nothing makes sense must be horrifying, but she dealt with everything you threw at her with as much self respect and dignity as possible. Then there is Will Herondale. Ah, Will, you slay me with your witty ways and fancy dress clothes. Also, is that booze I smell? Will is so confusing it's not even funny, I could sit here all day and try and figure out this sexy being and still be none the wiser. He is so mystifiying and complex and oh so very rude. In fact, he is quite a mean character. Mean but hot.
Then there is Jem, with his quiet voice and calm demeaner. I loved that even though we learn a lot about Jem, there are more layers to him as a character that I look forward to unravelling (if you think what i just thought you did, then your probably Team Will, just sayin.) His past is so fascinating that it's going to be one hell of a journey to see how this affects him in the present and the future. I think I like Jem a lot. You could go to a bar with Jem and he'd be so nice to you, he'd pull out your chair, buy you drinks and entertain you all evening. Whereas Will would probably leave you sat by the bar on your own, ignore you when he does sit near you and then leave with another girl.
Ah Jessamyn, my favourite female character. Even though she is a royal pain in my ass. Even though she moans a LOT. Even though she doesn't get as much page time as I would like her to have, this girl kicks ass. She is a girl who knows what she wants. She's just an amazing strong female character. The way she acted around the other Shadowhunters made me laugh, because she so just hates them all with a fiery passion. I can imagine her death stare to be a thing of beauty. And there is the little fact that she hates the world she's been born into. Though I do think this is more the fact that she hates the restraints upon her and her inability to make her own choices. Jessamyn is quite possibly crazy. She is quite probably a ninja. I expect fabulous things from her, lets just say she is going to shine in the next two books.
And the best part? It was only set in England. Where I live. Oh holy book gods, i've even visited a lot of the places mentioned in the book and to actually have visualisations of the setting and a firm knowledge base of the era, this was quite possibly, the icing on top of the already awesometastic cake. Characters that are complex and diverse, a story line that is original and engaging. Clockwork Angel was mesmorising and started the series with a bang. Love love love love this book a LOT.
p.s For the record, i'm Team Cassie.
Thank you to Walker Books for sending be a copy of the book to review.
No comments:
Post a Comment