Audiobook Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Author: Cassandra Clare (web | twitter)
Narrator: Jennifer Ehle
Series: Infernal Devices #1
Amazon | Goodreads | Audible
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (print), Simon & Schuster Audio (audio)
Release date: August 31, 2010
Challenge: Audiobook Challenge, TBR Challenge
Source: Bought it

Summary: 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 know, I know. I am so behind the times with this series. For some reason, I have to be in the right mood to read Cassandra Clare‘s books–it took me two tries to get past the first chapter of CITY OF BONES–but when I signed up for the YA Audiobook Challenge, I knew that CLOCKWORK ANGEL, the first book in Cassandra Clare‘s The Infernal Devices series, would be a great place to start. Paranormal angel-people who hunt demons; hot, conflicting romances; and top-notch world-building? SURELY I WILL. Bonus when I heard that the audiobook of CLOCKWORK ANGEL was narrated by none other than ELIZABETH BENNET, aka Jennifer Ehle?! I figured I was in for a treat, and I was right.

So, if you haven’t read any of The Mortal Instruments books, Cassandra Clare’s book is basically about this race of…people-ish things called Nephilim. They’re angels, except not like any angel that you might be able to conjure an image of in your head (no wings or overtly religious/heavenly vibes). The Nephilim exist to hunt demons (no explanation needed), known as Downworlders. They don’t mix, they don’t socialize, they don’t go out on dates with each other, nothing. Shadowhunters are run by a body known as the Clave, and cities all over the world each have an Institute where the leading Shadowhunter lives and basically runs the show for the Shadowhunters in that area. In CLOCKWORK ANGEL, we’re at the Institute in London, where a young American girl, Tessa Gray, has come to find her brother, Nate, after their aunt dies in New York City. As soon as she sets foot in London, shizz hits the fan. There’s kidnappings, warlocks, mysteries, BOYS, drama, betrayal, BOYS, secrets, dark gifts, and BOYS. It’s good stuff.

Tessa herself is an interesting character. She’s kidnapped by these HORRIBLE, CREEPY ladies called the Dark Sisters, who show her that she’s no ordinary mundane (Cassandra Clare-world speak for plain old humans), but she eventually finds sanctuary in the London Institute, where she meets James Carstairs and Will Herondale–bffs and hotties. Tessa finds herself torn between the two, who are very different indeed. But I have to stop talking about them, because Tessa isn’t one of those characters who would appreciate being defined by the guys in her life. She’s strong and smart and determined to find her brother. She LOVES books, too, which endeared me to her. I sometimes thought that the fact that both boys are instantly attracted to her was baffling, as she didn’t strike me as the warmest person, and she has a tendency to meddle, which annoys me. But all in all, her story is a good one.

Of course, Tessa’s story is good because it also involves those boys. Guys, I always knew that CLOCKWORK ANGEL spawned some  hardcore teams: one for Jem and one for Will. They’re totally different guys. Jem is sweet and friendly and GOOD and warm and kind and…basically a teddy bear, except he’s skinnier and really sickly. Will is broody to the max, emo, mercurial, passionate, HOT, secretive, and infuriating. I started out having a really big soft spot for Jem, which has only gotten bigger. But WILL. *fans self* THE BROODS. I can’t. He’s smoldery. They will both give you feels.

I have not even really talked about the plot of CLOCKWORK ANGEL yet! The basic gist is that it’s good. Not super fabulous, but it’s got good twists, great drama, a decently creepy villain, and a steampunky aspect that wasn’t overwhelming, if that’s not usually your thing (like me). The secondary characters fleshed things out quite a bit–I like Charlotte, and Henry is kind of bumbling and hilarious–and there’s a pretty great showdown at the end. Cassandra Clare knows how to pace things for sure!

The audiobook of CLOCKWORK ANGEL is 14 hours, 35 minutes unabridged, and is narrated by Jennifer Ehle. She’s a good narrator, and the voices she does for the Dark Sisters are LEGIT creepy. Her American accent for Tessa is excellent, and she distinguishes between the other characters well. Occasionally, something about her voice would bother me, but overall, she was great and the production was top notch as well. No heavy breathing or weird pauses or background noise. Hands down worth the Audible credit.

Friends, before I had even finished CLOCKWORK ANGEL, I had already used another audible credit to buy the second book in this series, CLOCKWORK PRINCE, which I’m listening to right now (OMFG ED WESTWICK). The action in book 1 was excellent, and I was caught up in the characters and their dramas almost instantly. The world Cassandra Clare has built with these books is so fully realized that you really can’t help being completely drawn in. If I wasn’t one of the last people on earth to read this book, I’d tell you all to go grab it yourselves.

Check out these other reviews of the audiobook of Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Mundie Moms: “Jennifer transforms into the character when she’s reading their dialogue and that makes the entire audio experience understated and credible.”

Lucy @ The Reading Date: “It was like listening to a play, the way the characters came to life.”

Farrah @ I Eat Words: “Honestly, I sort of found her voice dull or annoying at times. BUT that could just be me…”