From the Couch Friday

Greetings from my couch. I've been absent lately between soccer and surgery, I am out of commission for 6 weeks. I've been reading and watching a stupid amount of HGTV. Hard to believe it's November already and the countdown to Christmas has begun. Here is this weeks book.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Infernal Devices # 1
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 am a huge fan of the mortal Instruments series and Clockwork Angel has been on my TBR list for awhile. It took me a bit to get in the mind set so I could get into the book and enjoy it. When I read books that go back in time after the main series I spend my time trying to place characters and how they are related to the others and how their actions in the past affect the main series. Once I settled in I loved the story. The title is spot on and fits the story perfectly. kinda gives me a steam punky feel with the automation and the time period. All the characters had their own thing going from Will & Jem & Tessa to Charlotte and her trying to run the Institute. Jessamine and her dislike of the Shadowhunter life, right down to Sophie the housekeeper. I was completely surprised by the twist concerning Tessa and her brother Nate! GASP!!


RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and a set of super cool gear that the women in the story don't seem to want to wear. Wear it, own it!