Clockwork Angel is set in the year 1875, I originally thought this would be a big turn off for me but after reading it, I can say Cassandra Clare's portrayal of Victorian London is one of my favourite aspects of the book!
It follows Tessa Grey a New Yorker that arrives in London to live with her brother Nate after the sudden death of her Aunt. Upon her arrival she finds that he has been kidnapped and the only way for her to ensure his survival is to comply with two demons named the Dark Sisters that intend on torturing her into using a power she never knew she had. After weeks of training in her new found power of shape-shifting she finally has an opportunity to escape when the Shadowhunters of the London Institute break into the Dark Sisters Lair. She is then thrust into the world of Shadowhunters where she meets devil-may-care Will Herondale whose icy beauty is an immediate interest to Tessa. She also befriends the not by any means less beautiful Jem Carstairs a much calmer and sweeter contrast to the arrogant brooding Will.
I love this story so much and every time I read it I fall more and more in love with the characters, but this just leads me to further distress about the question Will or Jem. Before this book I had never had the experience of equally loving all the characters in a love triangle. Usually from the get go I have made my decision about who I want the protagonist to end up with but choosing between Jem and Will is like deciding which of your children you're going to love more!
Will is sexy, witty and most importantly shares Tessa's passion for reading but then there is Jem who is pure hearted to the core and just impossible to hate. I've read the TID series countless times and I still haven't made my mind up and I probably never will because they are both such brilliant characters!
If you have read The Mortal Instruments then you will already know and understand the world Cassandra Clare has created, there are also aspects of this series featured in the TMI series like Magnus Bane & Church. I recommend reading TMI beforehand but it's not something essential, you will love it just as much!
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
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