Angels Come In Many Different Versions

"'One must always be careful of books,' said Tessa, 

and what is inside them, 

for words have the power to change us.'” 

--Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Paranormal

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, 476 pages

Publication Date: August 31st, 2010

Source: Bought

Goodreads

Goodreads Description

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.

My Thoughts

This was another re-read/readathon of a series for me! Yay! I love re-reading, can't say it enough. Especially with books I love and especially with series. There is something so amazing about reading a story completely the whole way through, which is actually why I think I liked Requiem a lot more than a lot of people did. Reading all three books back to back the story seemed extremely and true to the characters but that's a whole other story.  

So Infernal Devices. I read the first 2 before blogging as well as reading 1-5 of The Mortal Instruments prior to even that. I hesitated picking up Clockwork Angel for some reason thinking, there is no way these can be better than TMI...oh how wrong I was. I like these even better. Must be the historical aspect of it...or the fact that I fangirl like crazy over Will...and Jem...and Tessa is so kickass. Oh I just LOVE them all. So The Infernal Devices follows Tessa, an American who follows her brother to London and discovers she has a special power. She escapes her captivity with the help of Will, a Shadowhunter *let the swooning begin ladies*, and finds herself in the middle of a battle between good and evil. 

I just have to say first and foremost that I LOVED being back in this world. Like...LOVED. I looooove that Shadowhunters fight evil and uh, are the offspring of angels and humans...AMAZING! This is so freakin' cool to me. Mostly because a large part of me wants to have some angel blood...I want some wings, dammit! Anways. This story is fantastic. We still have our epic battle between good and evil which I can never get enough of. I will read about angels being badass warriors all day long. I just love it. The battles, the sword fighting, I just love love love it all!

I love that this is set in 1870's London. I love the descriptions of the city. The clothing. The manners. The way of things. The idea of women being less than men is a constant theme but not dominating the story. Obviously good vs evil is talked about a lot. Like I said before I can't get enough of this theme. I love the power behind it all, fighting for something beyond and above your individual self. AND Tess and Will talk a lot about books and their importance. My other favorite quote from this book is from Tessa when she says:

"Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry."

I looooooove this quote. Gosh, I say some sort of variance of this all the time to my friends. They tease me for reading so much and that I should get a hobby, um, hello! This is my hobby! I feel honestly bad for people who do not get even an ounce of what I get from reading. Words change you, stories alter you. They are the most beautiful thing in the world. Readers don't only live one life, they live thousands. Every book they read takes them somewhere else. It was amazing to see this thought from a character. I truly believe this and I will not stop saying it...ever. Love times a million.

Our characters in this series of the Shadowhunter world are just...wow. Tessa is a kickass girl, like I said earlier, but she has her moments of annoyance to me. There were a few times in the middle there where she would push and nag her questions that I thought were totally out of line for her to ask but meh, I got over it. I love this girl. She is brave and strong and does her damn best to keep a strong face and take care of herself. Jem is also a Shadowhunter who has a secret...dun dun duh. No I will NOT tell you what it is...read the book silly. Love Jem. He is so quiet yet strong. Kind and always so thoughtful of all those around him. Jessie is a spoiled brat who doesn't really do anything but live up to the absolute worst stereotypes of passive women of this time...useless. Charlotte and Henry run the institute and I adore Charlotte. She is a woman trying to show her strength in running the Institute and does a hell of a job. Sophie is the maid who I also adore. So quiet but she stand up for what she thinks is right at all the right times. 

And then there's Will. Where do I begin with him? Well, first of all he is a top ten book boyfriend...and if I'm being honest with myself...he is probably number 1. I can't think of another character in a book that I love more...I think he is it for me. Yeah, him and I quite serious :). I love his character. Smart, sarcastic, cocky, snarky, and always has the ultimate one-liners. Oh and did I mention...HE LOVES TO READ! If that isn't an automatic bid for my heart as far as fictional boyfriends go I don't know what would. Ugh, drool city, seriously! And he is so strong and fights...but he can be such a pain in the ass. He constantly is hot and cold with Tessa and we have NO idea why. You know there is something else going on but we do not find out what that is. Regardless, I will love him. He is just too damn funny to ignore and I love every second of every scene he is in.

These books are hard to review because it is hard to put into words why they are so good. The story line is really interesting with the clockwork people running around but I believe the entire plot is driven by the characters. You come to love them. Root for them. Hope for them. Love with them. You fall in love with the characters and their dynamics are what keep you turning the pages. This review kinda sucks I know but I can't describe how or why these books are so good except the characterizations are amazing. I cannot WAIT to re-read Prince. That book is even better than Angel if you can believe that and then it is on to Princess...eeep!!! 

But for serious. If you love historical fiction AND paranormal and you have not read this book...get at it...you won't regret it :)