Clockwork Angel

I have so many ways I could preface this review, that I just don't know were to start. Do I start with noting that, while I would like to finish the Infernal Devices series, I have no interest in the Mortal Instruments series? Or, perhaps, with my issues in the book? Or, perchance, my hope that the trilogy will not be as predictable as I foresee?

Start at the beginning? Alright. I was first intrigued by this book when it was newly on the shelves of my local wal-mart. Why? Because of the cover (dashing young man in quasi-Victorian garb and an absolutely beautifully colored city-scape background) and the title: Clockwork Angel brings to mind steampunk automatons merged with religion.

Really, that's not a far off way of describing this story. It is the amalgamation of steampunk and urban fantasy. That's why it drew my attention when the Mortal Instruments series never did. (To the best of my knowledge those books take place in modern-day New York City. I am not interested in modern-day New York City. But Victorian Era London? Yes, please.)

Which brings me to an issue I had with the story. There are only a few (very few) young-ish females in this story. On of them is Tessa herself, Jessamine and Charlotte being the others. Two of the three seemed to believe fighting was strictly the purview of men. They didn't want to fight, wondering why any female would dress like a man and wield a weapon. While this might be accurate considering the time-period the story takes place during, it did offend my modern sensibilities a bit. I much prefer the more gung ho, fighting females. At least by the end of the book, both girls were starting to get over that a bit.

Now, on to Will's eyes. They are blue, by the way. I caught that the first time, no need to keep reminding me every half-dozen pages, Ms. Clare. (Though, to be fair, on average Will's eye color wasn't mentioned the most of all the characters. One of the females eye color, green, was mentioned three times in as many pages.) As an author - as yet un-published - that tends to over mention hair and eye color, I am particularly sensitive to this. There are more ways than just the color that can be used to describe the eyes and I hope Ms. Clare picks up on them.

‘They were the color of the water of the North Atlantic, where the ice drifted on its blue-black surface like snow clinging to the dark glass pane of a window.

His eyes were the same color as the smoke-stained sky[...]

And my personal favorite:
[...]His eyes were the same dark blue as the velvet binding of the book she held.
Although that one might be more of a description of the book binding than Will's eyes as I don't believe the color of the velvet was mentioned before.

Did I mention, Will's eyes are blue. Just if you weren't paying attention the first time, I thought I'd remind you.

The plotline itself is interesting if a little...weak. That's not what I believe has such a strong chance of being predictable. In fact, for every time I had a moment of ‘saw that coming' I had almost as many ‘didn't expect that' moments. No. What I think will be predictable is the romance. Now, I've not read the other two books in the series, but I do have a very strong feeling as to which guy Tessa will be a couple with. Just basing this on what I know of romance stories/movies and basic romance in media, I can say with some certainty that I know who.

I suppose that wouldn't be so bad if that's who I wanted to see her with. (Unpleasant to admit, but I seem to be biased.) In fact, I do have a preference between the two love interests and doubt that's who she chooses later.

All this being said, why did I give it three stars? (I am sure you are asking.)

Because, for all the books faults, (and it had its share) I truly enjoyed reading it. It's not high literature, but it's not trying to be. I found it to be a diverting, moderately easy to get through read.