Historical Fiction

This delightful tale is set in Victorian England and is focused on Tessa and a group of demon fighters known as the Shadowhunters. Tessa arrives in London only after being invited by her brother. Unfortunately, he is nowhere to be found and that is when Tessa’s adventures begin. She is hidden away by a secretive group of dark forces, the Pandemonium Club, which includes mundanes (humans), demons, vampires, and other Downworlders (supernatural creatures) in its ranks. Tessa soon discovers she has abilities of her own- she can take on the shape of anyone as long as you can hold something that belonged to them- and shortly thereafter embarks with the Shadowhunters to look for her brother and the mysterious leader of the Pandemonium Club, The Magister. Tessa will learn that not all the answers she seeks are the answers she wants.

While this story is in the same vein of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, the Harry Potter Series, and numerous other supernatural tales, it is clear the author researched the time period and put a great deal of effort in her writing. The characters and their relationships do help drive the story but only to a degree. I recommend this book for any teen or advanced reader and believe it would be a fine addition to a school or public library.

 

Clare, C. (2010). Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book One. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7586-1. $24.99

Awards:


 * 1) 1 New York Times Bestseller


 * 1) 1 USA Today Bestseller