Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Oct 29, 2011 Ellen rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-book, ya

The nephilim vs the dark ones is a battle as old as the ages, but Clare adds a steampunk twist as her young and naive (of course) characters are pulled involuntarily (of course) into the thick of it in Victorian London. Tessa Gray, newly arrived from New York City after the death of her guardian aunt, is kidnapped by the evil Dark Sisters who keep her captive and train her to use her as yet undiscovered ability to shape-change in order to use her for their nefarious purposes. There is mystery, a ...more

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May 31, 2010 Lydia Presley rated it liked it

Shelves: 2010, fiction, fantasy, young-adult

I want to begin this review by saying that I love Steampunk. I'm a full blown Jules Verne, gadget-loving, dirigible-adoring fan of it.

When the cover for Clockwork Angel was revealed I squealed out loud. I loved it. When I purchased my copy of Clockwork Angel I may or may not have run my hands over the cover, admiring how pretty it was, how shiny.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I did not love the first two books of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. They took a while for me to get into and I want to begin this review by saying that I love Steampunk. I'm a full blown Jules Verne, gadget-loving, dirigible-adoring fan of it.

When the cover for Clockwork Angel was revealed I squealed out loud. I loved it. When I purchased my copy of Clockwork Angel I may or may not have run my hands over the cover, admiring how pretty it was, how shiny.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I did not love the first two books of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. They took a while for me to get into and the story didn't suck me in. The third book of the trilogy did all of that, however, so it was with hope that this first book of the Infernal Devices would pick up where City of Glass left off (not story-wise, writing-wise).

I'm going to be that bad person here and say that.. honestly, I was a bit bored by Clockwork Angel.

This makes me sad, but I still have hope. Because I was bored by City of Bones too. So I'm thinking maybe Cassandra has to work up momentum to give crazy, fun endings to her series. I hope that's the case.

Now the Steampunk aspect of the novel. I feel a bit gypped here. Aside from the mention of some gears and gadgets and the addition of some automatons there really wasn't that much Steampunk in this one. I'm coming off of having read some great Steampunk stories such as Cherie Priest's Boneshaker or The Affinity Bridge by George Mann - those are steampunk. This was more... steampunk-light.

There's nothing wrong with that, I mean Clare has built a great system of magic and her world building is interesting, I just feel as if the Steampunk parts were added on as a bit of a tool instead of something that the story is immersed in. Because first and foremost, this story is immersed in her magic.

I don't get the debates between Will and Jem. We don't see Jem enough to debate on the subject. So I'll reserve my opinion on both of them until later in the series.

That said, I will be reading the rest of the series. I don't have much hope for Book #2 though, because if she followers her pattern established with the Mortal Instruments series it'll be Book #3 that blows me out of the water. ...more

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Dec 29, 2010 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, steampunk

This book was a much easier read for me than most of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. I've never read steampunk before (hence not having a good category for placing this book), and doubt I will again. but this book was interesting and enjoyable. I liked Tessa, for her brunette bookworm self, perhaps more than for her actual character. Sometimes the tone within the historical setting felt a bit anachronistic, but my concerns with that faded as the book progressed, and I became more and more invest ...more

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Jul 08, 2010 Terri rated it liked it

Shelves: all_part_of_the_job, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 27, 2011 Ashley rated it liked it

I really liked this book. In fact I like this series more than the mortal instruments series, however there was something about the plot that just didnt carry me through the story. It was not a compelling read and generally i set it down with no problem. I am really looking forward to the next book though i am hoping that with the world building complete that the next book will have more license to move the exposition along and hold me attention. Though it was a slow finisher for me it is still ...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Genesis Hansen rated it really liked it

Thoroughly enjoyable, with both supernatural and steampunk elements.

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Jun 13, 2010 Laurie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011

I really liked Clare's first series, The Mortal Instruments, so I was excited to read this one which is set earlier in history in the same world. I was disappointed, though. The characters and story are still good, but I think the writing could have used a few more edits. There are some really long, awkward sections of exposition, and I found some of the ways the characters talked and acted to be too modern for the setting. Still, it was a satisfying book, and I am hopeful the rest of this serie ...more

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