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Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Nov. 6th, 2010 06:10 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
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 gas-lit 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.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Despite some good individual scenes, this prequel to Cassandra Clare’s bestselling MORTAL INSTRUMENTS TRILOGY has far too many similarities, particularly in terms of the characters and plot structure, for it to be a truly satisfying read. Much of it was too overwritten for me and some of the prose is outright purple, while the cliff hanger ending irritates rather than tantalizes. Existing fans will probably like that, but for me this was little more than Mortal Instruments in bustles and it was disappointing that Victorian London is portrayed in such glib, Hollywood-ised terms.
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 gas-lit 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.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Despite some good individual scenes, this prequel to Cassandra Clare’s bestselling MORTAL INSTRUMENTS TRILOGY has far too many similarities, particularly in terms of the characters and plot structure, for it to be a truly satisfying read. Much of it was too overwritten for me and some of the prose is outright purple, while the cliff hanger ending irritates rather than tantalizes. Existing fans will probably like that, but for me this was little more than Mortal Instruments in bustles and it was disappointing that Victorian London is portrayed in such glib, Hollywood-ised terms.
