Play Book Tag discussion

Clockwork Angel is a steampunk historical fantasy. It's also the first book of the Infernal Devices trilogy, which is part of the larger Shadowhunters series. lt takes place in 1878 London, where we follow Tessa Gray. When her Aunt passes away, she receives a ticket to travel to London to live with her last living relative, her brother Nathaniel. Upon arriving in England, she is taken away by the Dark Sisters and forced into strange rituals that bring out latent shape changing abilities Tessa did not know she had. The Dark Sisters say they’re preparing her for someone they call the Magister. Tessa will marry him so he can have full access to her powers. Eventually Tessa escapes their house.

A young man named Will Herondale rescues her after she is knocked unconscious and awakes in the London Institute. She learns it is the headquarters of the city’s secret peacekeepers, a group of part-human/part-angel beings known as Shadowhunters or Nephilim.

There is more than a touch of Steampunk in Clockwork Angel. Henry, one of the adult Shadowhunters, resembles an absent-minded mad inventor with a laboratory in the crypt of the Institute and a constant stream of bizarre inventions.

The characters were unique, interesting and humorous. The plot was complex and unpredictable, with plenty of fast-paced action and adventure. The Victorian London setting was fun and atmospheric and you could feel the cold, damp, and drab atmosphere. The author dropped plenty of clues to keep readers interested in the story.

I didn't realize I already owned this book. Apparently I bought it back in 2010 for my then 14-year-old granddaughter when I gave her a Kindle for Christmas. I'm not a huge fan of the steampunk genre but she gave it 5 stars. I think fans of steampunk would really enjoy it.