Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 Clockwork Angel is meant to be a side series to the Mortal Instrument series (also by Cassandra Clare), kind of like a prologue. In my opinion, it's a hundred times better, funnier, and more romantic than City of Bones, and this series can stand on it's own. It deserves 10 stars out of five! This takes place in London, about a hundred or so years before the story in City of Bones. Completely different set of characters, minus a few select ageless ones, but it still has the same elements with the Shadowhunters, vamps, warlocks - the whole enchilada of magic.This story opens with the protagonist Tessa, a bookworm who is in search of her older brother, Nate. She goes to London under instructions from her brother, and stays with two horrible women called the Dark Sisters. The Sisters torture Tessa and keep pressing for her to come in contact with her "powers", and with the pressure Tessa discovers a unique talent she has - when she comes in contact with a possession of someone, she can morph her body to look like that person. 

When Tessa hears rumors of her having an arranged marriage to someone called the Magister, in comes crashing Will Herondale. Tessa's knight... hero... bane of her existence. Three words to describe Will: secretive, sarcastic, and HOT! Enough said. 

Sorry! Getting off topic there... Will takes Tessa to the London Institution and there she meets the best cast of characters since Harry Potter, if not better (and for an HP fan like me, that's saying something). There's Charlotte, a strong woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind, her husband Henry, a destructive inventor who's got a kind heart, Jessamine, the classic blond brat, and Jem, the sweetest, corniest, most amazing guy (next to Will). I love the brotherly relationship between Will and Jem - two tortured souls who can confide in each other without judgement. Jem is the only person Will ever allows to see through to his inner darkness (besides Tessa), and in return Will is incredibly protective of Jem and worries about Jem's health. Despite the touching relationship, these two could also raise hell if given the chance. My most favorite line in this book: Jem - "Remember when you tried feeding the mallards meat pies to see if you could raise an army of cannibal ducks?" Will - "And they ate them too, bloodthirsty little beasts." 

Under the noses of the Shadowhunters of England, dark power is rising. Downworlders are causing havoc, screeching about the Magister and how great he is. As the gang at the Institute start to pile together clues, things start to point to the vampires. With allies in right places (including a certain warlock whom I love, and who is now apparently bisexual, not just gay?!), Tessa learns that there may be more connections to the unknown location of her brother, and her powers, than she thought. 

Just what is Tessa? Can Will ever show a crack through his wall of emotions? Will Jem's secret illness be his downfall? Will one of Henry's inventions EVER work right? Read Clockwork Angel to find out!

(Side note: REALLY sorry I haven't been posting lately! I've been super swamped and that's going to change right now! If ever I fail to do my weekly post, I will accept the most horrible punishment... I will let Madison tell me book spoilers! Gah, even the thought of it makes me shudder.)

Later, gaters!

Love, Julia