Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I have to say, I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. I've put off reading this series because 1: this is the only one my library has, and 2: it didn't really sound all that interesting. But it is Winter Break, so I decided to give it a shot.

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

I loved the random incerpts of poetry by both Tessa and Will. Will is by far, my favorite character. His cool demeanor, and his unwillingness to give in are completely... amazing? Jem has his good qualities, but the fact that he's addicted to silver dust just put me off him for some reason. Surprisingly, I actually liked Jessamine. She's pretty kick ass, even though she hates to admitt it, and wants nothing to do with the Shadowhunters, or the Clave, or any of that jazz.

As for action, there was never a shortage of that; vampire quellings, automatons, and demons (Oh my!) kept me on the edge of my seat for the 2 days that I was reading it.

What surprised me, was how real it felt; like I was actually in the story. What didn't surprise me, was the fact that Tessa fell for Will, I mean, when we first me Will I had a sudden flashback to JACE, omg, is this a pattern?

But, I have to say, dispite all the cliches, this was a really good book; The Children of Angels never cease to amaze me...