A prequel to Cassandra Clare's 'Mortal Instruments' series, 'The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel' is the story of Tessa Gray, a sixteen-year-old American girl travelling alone to Victorian London who runs afoul of the city's sordid supernatural underworld. Rescued by the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, Tessa quickly finds herself caught up in an intrigue that may very well destroy her new friends - including the two enigmatic young men, Jem and Will, who have taken her under their wing . . .
Absolutely brilliant. A fab adaptation of the book and really engaging throughout keeping the main essence of the story which is something I sometimes finds gets lost when adapted to graphic novels. I really enjoyed it and a refreshing change from reading traditional books.
First off the historian in me loved the setting of this book. I loved the fact that it was so victorian, complete with the dingey streets and rubbish weather. I also loved the fact that it was researched well and that you could imagine it actually having happened. I kept expecting Jack the Ripper to pop up and get a royal butt kicking from Will. I loved the fact that poor Tessa was so horrified (as a proper victorian lady would) that Charlotte wore trousers and that Sophie, a mere servant, spoke back to Will.
Tessa as a character grows on you. I'm sure she will be compared to Clary and it'll be argued that she isn't as fiesty. My argument would be that she comes from a completely different world in which women are expected to be the perfect ladies and the thought that she would even back chat someone would be scandalous. I liked seeing how she comes out of the shell as the book progresses and can see much promise for the character as she grows into the person she is finally going to be.
As with Mortal Instruments there are a host of other characters who draw you in. Will and Jem are very much a double act who you can't help but love. Charlotte and Henry are also wonderfully endearing as Leaders of the institute. I loved the parts when Charlotte goes wading in with the boys in the middle of the fights Sally Lockhart stylee.
I found the whole notion of clockwork soldiers extremely creepy (in my head all I kept imagining were the Clockwork manequins out of doctor who) the whole notion freaked me out somewhat and made from brilliant reading when they were involved in any fights.
The final battle of the story was gripping. Without giving anything away I didn't see any of the twists or surprises coming and thought the outcome set up the charcaters brilliant for the next book in the series.
All in all an excellent book which I encourage you to read even if you haven't read mortal instruments. Although the book is a prequel apart from brief references nothing crosses over yet - I am hoping they might in the future. I literally cannot wait for the next one!!
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