Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

coming off the high of reading the entire Mortal Instruments series and learning that there was a companion series that i probably should have been reading at the same time, i got my hands on the e-copy of Clockwork Angel and it didn’t disappoint

This first installment of the series introduces us back into the world of ShadowHunters, ‘Downworlders’ and the unexpected.  The great thing here is that there were all the good aspects of MI, but with a different spin.  Also, one of my all time FAVORITE characters – Magnus Bane was involved. so you know that only good could happen right?

anyway, we are introduced to Tessa an American who is on her way to London because her family in the US is gone (parents died and her aunt that she’s been living with just passed away).  Her brother Nate moved to London for a job and sent for Tessa to come and live with him.  Good stuff right?

well from the moment Tessa steps foot off the boat, things take a turn for the worse.  Her brother doesn’t meet her at the ship as planned – instead these 2 women a.k.a. the Dark Sisters come and meet her and bring her back to the house.  From there she’s imprisoned, held captive and basically is made to do whatever these women want of her because they are holding her brother and she is the only way for him to stay alive.

Not surprising, a pair of ShadowHunters come to her rescue.  Will i guess is supposed to be our Jace from the Mortal Instruments – anyhow, he comes to her rescue and brings Tessa back to the Institute.  From there, and from her experiences at the Dark Sister’s house, she learns about so much more that’s going on. See, the Dark Sisters discovered that Tessa is able to do something that no one else can do, and well, everyone wants someone who’s that special right?

in any event,  the ShadowHunters get involved, and they involve Vampires and Warlocks which is how we meet up again with Magnus Bane….and interestingly Camille Belcourt…and excitement ensues.

what throws me off in this story though is that i kept wanting to relate characters to their ‘descendents’ in Mortal Instruments yet i kept forgetting the parentage.  oh well…definitely worth another read at both series again in tandem.  So many unanswered questions too from this book that makes me thrilled that Clockwork Prince is out so i can get that too.

i want to know more about Tessa’s back story, about what happens with relationships, whether or not characters that we love will continue to be around or not……onto Book 2 for me…

Review: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments Book 3) by Cassandra Clare

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Title:  City of Glass
Author:  Cassandra Clare
Publisher/Year:  Margaret K. McElderry Books 8/3/10
Length:  576 Pages
Series: The Mortal Instruments #3

Overview 

To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters—never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City—whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of bestselling series the Mortal Instruments.

Includes an exclusive sneak peek of the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series: City of Fallen Angels! And don’t miss the teaser from Clockwork Angel, the first book in the Infernal Devices trilogy, the prequel to the Mortal Instruments series.

 

ssandra Clare
Publisher/Year:  Margaret K. McElderry Books 8/3/10
Length:  576 Pages
Series: The Mortal Instruments #3

Overview 

 

i’m definitely a happy girl when after a few books into a series and i’m losing faith a little bit that a story line comes out that reminds me why i was keeping at it.  book 3 in The Mortal Instruments does just that.  Cassandra Clare brings us to the home world of the ShadowHunters so we can really deal with some strife.  (yes i used the word strife)

so in this story, we’re still focused on Jace and Clary, and Simon has a big part as does Luke.  We’re left wondering if Clary will be able to save her mother from the spell that she put on herself as protection against Valentine…and then there’s Valentine.  Such a nice name, yet such a nasty person.

so…we start off the story basically with Jace trying to trick Clary into not being able to get to Idris to track down the warlock that can help her mom.  Simon’s dragged into it (in more ways than 1) and then, Clary some how manages to get herself there.

lots of battles ensure, and we’re introduced to a few new folks:

Sebastian – he’s the cousin of the people that the Lightwoods are staying with, yet everyone seems to think that there’s ‘something’ off about him, but can’t quite put their finger on it.  read on in the story and you’ll figure that one out .

Aline – the daughter of the family that the Lightwoods are staying with who sort of makes a play for Jace, but as you read you find out more about that one

a return of Maia which is always nice – kind of like this chick – she’s helpful and turns up when you least expect it and i feel like there’s so much more we could do with her.  maybe she’ll become more important in the following books.

we’re also introduced to the Fairies (for the most part) and the Seelie Queen is an interesting one.  she speaks in riddles and makes you think about things, yet you do and don’t want her thoughts to come true.  again, you’d have to read to get where i’m going with this.

GOOD NEWS here, is that a few of the questions that i had at the end of Book 2 (City of Ashes) get answered in a pleasing way.  now i have a few more:

1) do we think that what the Seelie Queen says about Jace and Clary will be the truth?

2) what’s going to happen with Simon – now that we know he’s a daylighter – what does that do for him

3) what role will Jocelyn (and Luke) have in the future since we know that Joce is really a key player in a lot of different ways

4) what’s going on with Jace?  i mean really?

so – i’ll keep reading because i’m happy to say that this book was really good – and the next 2 hopefully will be just as good.  What i just learned though is that i should also be reading Clockwork Angel and that series since it’s kind of parallel with similar characters.  too bad i didn’t know that before.  wonder what i’ve missed….