Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) in Q&A with Cassandra Clare

Mar 26, 2010 Sophie Riggsby / allthingsequilateral rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dont-tell-others-youre-my-fave, hot-boys-with-swords

I think it's rare that a prequel series stays true to the original world while developing fresh new characters and a plot that is all its own. Cassandra Clare did just that. I'm sitting here in complete awe at everything I just finished reading.

For those of you who worried that there woulde be limited Cassie Clare-swoony-to-die-for-style romance because of the strict Victorian setting, please don't worry. In the book trailer, Tessa says, "I always wondered what my first kiss would be like. I ne ...more

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Sep 09, 2009 Mealias rated it liked it

Shelves: favorites, modern-fantasy, historical-fiction, fantasy

As is habit, (though I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad habit), I can't help but compare novels to previous books written by the author. Let me make it clear, I like the Mortal Instruments Trilogy and I think I'll like the Infernal Devices series as well, though after reading just the first book, it's probably still too early to tell. Nevertheless, I can already point out a few things which I like better than the other in both trilogies.

The first would be the heroines. I must say, I'm begi As is habit, (though I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad habit), I can't help but compare novels to previous books written by the author. Let me make it clear, I like the Mortal Instruments Trilogy and I think I'll like the Infernal Devices series as well, though after reading just the first book, it's probably still too early to tell. Nevertheless, I can already point out a few things which I like better than the other in both trilogies.

The first would be the heroines. I must say, I'm beginning to like Tessa of the Infernal Devices and would prefer her to Clary. It's not that I don't like Clary, but it took me quite a while to get the "feel" of Clarissa Fray. In the first book of the Mortal Instruments trilogy, I felt as if she was more a spectator of the events happening around here than an active character. And though most part of the book was from her perspective, it was as if she was a camera man just taking it all in. When she got her first kiss, I couldn't tell at all what she was really feeling. It was a very descriptive kiss, but nothing more. Tessa, on the other hand, is an interesting character; she has some quirks that make her more like a real person than a 2-dimensional one. Some people say that she's a little too demure for their tastes, especially in comparison to Clary; but I don't think that is the case. From how I see it, she speaks her mind when she wishes too, but isn't to quick to let her emotions lose. When she simply thinks before she acts, which is refreshing to see in a heroine. Unlike most Urban Fantasy heroines, she has quite a mature disposition for her age. I'm not sure if this is merely due to the historical and cultural setting of the book but either way, it works for her character.

Secondly, as far as male leads go, I can say I like them all (but admittedly, not equally). Jace, Will, and Jem are all engaging characters in their own way. Though Clockwork Angel leaves a lot of room for more character development in the next 2 books, there is enough about Jem and Will in the first book to keep you interested in both of them. It seems to me that Jem is a gentle soul, but perhaps, after everything he's been through and is going through, there is more to him that meets the eye - or at the very least an explanation for his calm and caring manner. I expect more about Jem and how he came to be so mature even after everything he's been through, in the next Clockwork books. Will, however is a different case. Will's character is captivating in his own way but truth be told, I had a hard time disassociating him from Jace. Both boys (Jace and Will that is) seem to have a passive-aggressive demeanor and a sharp tongue which they use to put a wall around themselves. Though I believe they have very different reasons for behaving the way they do, it's hard not to liken them to one another. I hope in the next 2 books of the Infernal Devices, Will does not turn out to be merely a carbon-copy of Jace. Though I don't think this will be the case, it will be quite a challenge for the author to make her readers see similarities of both boys yet perceive them as totally different characters.

For my third point, I must say I like the humor and dialogue wit in the Mortal Instruments better. This is one point where Will and Jace differ. Jace seems to be more sharp-tongued than Will in a humorous way. Don't get me wrong, Will does have a few cutting lines himself. But the banter between the characters of Mortal Instruments is much more engaging than that of Infernal Devices, and that is mainly due to Jace. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping Will won't be a Jace replica, but I also hope the next Infernal Devices books will offer more funny scenes and more interesting repartee.

Lastly, as far as plot is concerned, here's the thing. Mortal Instruments had a lot of plot twists. But unfortunately, they were all predictable to me. Infernal Devices on the other hand, was laced with mystery. The plot was simple and straight-forward, with a few twists; but it was the hanging questions at the end of the book which will keep one begging for the next. I wouldn't count these questions as plot-twists - they were more like whodunits to me.

In summary, as far as heroines go, I'm for Tessa over Clary. As for male leads, I still love Jace but am hoping Will turns out to be just as alluring but in his own way that is not due to the similarities of his character to Jace's. There is still a lot of potential for the development and growth of the characters in Infernal Devices and I can't wait to see all that in the following books. As for dialogue, Mortal Instruments still has it down. But for plots, I'm beginning to like Infernal Devices more.

Either way, their both good trilogies and I can't wait to buy the next 2 books of Infernal Devices and the next 3 books of Mortal Instruments. :-D ...more

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Sep 15, 2010 Brooke rated it liked it

Shelves: recent-books-i-read

So this is Cassandra Clare's new book. She definitely has a formula but it works for her. And she can write tension between characters better than most. Fully entertaining...if you're into angels and demons. I generally don't read paranormal but got suckered in by her other series and now I'm hooked. ...more

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Sep 07, 2010 Abby rated it really liked it

I really do love this author. I loved the Mortal Instruments books and they are a trilogy (unlike Meyers and Collins) that get better with each installment. I felt the same way about this story. I love the underworld that Clare has created and she answers just enough questions to keep you unfrustrated but leaves enough unanswered so that you will want to read more. I had a lot of fun with this book.

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Jan 12, 2010 Tweeny rated it really liked it

It was a little difficult to get into 1878 London compared to present day NYC in The Mortal Instruments. But I do enjoy the world Cassandra Clare has made and am interested to find out what happens next and learn more about Tessa and Will!

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May 13, 2010 Allison rated it really liked it

I liked the prequel aspect of this book. My only complaint is that it was shockingly similar in plot to her other stories; that is what kept it from being five stars. I am excited for her next book to come out!

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Sep 19, 2010 Bobbi Rightmyer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: finished

If you like Cassandra Clare's "Immortal Instruments"series, you should like this prequel! This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to reading more. ...more

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