Review: The Infernal Devices Manga #1

CLOCKWORK ANGEL
The Infernal Devices Manga #1
Cassandra Clare
Artwork: HyeKyung Baek
240 pages
Yen Press
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
A manga-adaption to the prequel of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, The Infernal Devices is the story of Tessa Gray, a sixteen-year-old American girl traveling alone to Victorian London who runs afoul of the city's sordid supernatural underworld. Rescued by the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, Tessa quickly finds herself caught up in an intrigue that may very well destroy her new friends - including the two enigmatic young men, Jem and Will, who have taken her under their wing...

MY THOUGHTS
This review is going to be a small departure from my typical reviews as The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel is my first foray into manga, and the experience was such an intriguingly distinctive one from simply reading black and white text on a page that it seemed necessary to present my thoughts in a slightly different way. First and foremost, it took a bit of time for me to settle into a format where what is drawn is every bit as important and carries as much weight as what is actually written, the expressions on the faces of Will, Jem and Tessa communicating the emotional element of the story and proving the old adage of pictures being worth a thousand words to be in many ways true.

The artwork by Hyekyung Baek is beautiful, the exaggerated size of the eyes often drawing my gaze and holding it captive, my mind churning out possibility after possibility of all that’s being said through their expressiveness that’s not actually written in the dialog box next to them. My one wish for the illustrations is with regard to Will (pictured on the cover), I’d hoped his trademark sarcasm and wit might play out a little more in the features of his face – the lift of a sardonic brow here or a smirk there in the delivery of his infamous one-liners – but to my slight disappointment his face remained rather stoic throughout aside from the aforementioned ocular embellishment.

I had worried going into this graphic novel that it would be difficult to keep track of who was talking given the facial features of the characters themselves are fairly similar across the board – large eyes, small pixie noses, and an abundance of hair on their heads – but I quickly found there to be little issue in this department, each individual easily distinguishable and recognizable throughout. The only confusion for me came during action sequences, many times the telltale sound effects like “thwack”, “swoosh” and “bam” not providing all that much clarity as to what exactly was taking place. Was someone being punched? Is something on fire? Did someone just die? Without any specific descriptions, the fight scenes often left me blinking, struggling to remember the details of the novel itself to help guide me through.

Though I prefer the character depth and intimacy created in the novel to the more superficial relaying of key events in the manga, it was still a joy to read and certainly a new and entertaining way to spend time in an utterly fascinating world. I certainly look forward to continuing with this series, as there’s something mesmerizing about seeing beloved characters presented in another dimension – their illustrated faces as much fun to study as Cassandra Clare’s words are to imagine.

Rating: 4/5

*It should be noted that I have absolutely no basis for comparison with this rating as this is my first manga, so I went with a 4/5 strictly based on entertainment value alone:)

Review: Clockwork Angel

CLOCKWORK ANGEL (The Infernal Devices #1)
Cassandra Clare
Young Adult
476 pages
Simon & Schuster
Available Now

THE STORY
Tessa Gray has just been sent a ticket to London by her brother. Perfect timing. Her aunt and guardian just passed away, leaving Tessa practically penniless and incredibly lonely. She hopes London might be a new beginning for her and Nate, one where they can lean on each other for support and make their way in a world that has done it's best to cripple them with loss.

But what's waiting for Tessa in London isn't Nate. And it certainly isn't the promise of a better life. Instead she finds herself at the mercy of the Dark Sisters, two strange and horrifying women who introduce her to London's magical underbelly. It seems Tessa is something special, possessing an ability never before seen by Downworlders (demons, warlocks, vampires and the like).

Tessa can physically change form, shifting her body into that of another as long as she has an object of theirs to guide her. This gift allows her not only to change physical form, but also gives her the ability to slip into the mind of the person she mimics as well, making her a much sought-after commodity. She's quickly thrust into the confusing world of the Shadowhunters, facing creatures that shouldn't exist while searching for her brother and jostling an attraction to one shadowhunter in particular. She quickly learns that though she can change shape at will, she can't change her feelings as easily, and her vulnerable heart is perhaps her most threatening foe.

MY THOUGHTS
Ms. Clare has a gift for writing a stunning cast of characters that slips seamlessly under the reader's skin and takes root, forcing us to feel for them and with them as they traverse their physical and emotional obstacles. Tessa is a wonderful heroine, strong willed and independent, and lacking the passivity of her time. She's not broken by her circumstances with the Dark Sisters, accepts the existence of the occult with admirable aplomb, and despite the bleakness of her time in London, keeps her heart open and her mind clear.

Will is both deliciously attractive and incredibly aggravating. He cuts a swath through the pages with his arrogant attitude and abundance of sarcasm, seemingly leaving broken hearts and empty alcohol bottles in his wake. It's glaringly obvious however that the snark and bravado are defense mechanisms, keeping those who might break down his emotional barriers at arm's length so he doesn't have to reveal any truths about himself. He's of the mindset to show people the worst so they can't ever claim to be disappointed.

Despite his lofty attitude and periodic emotional vacancy, Will is quite charming, and that charm is not lost on the reader. We can't help but be drawn to him as Tessa is, fighting the voice in our head that says he's trouble, and rather submitting to the instinct that says he's damaged, but not destroyed. Damaged means there's hope of restoration, and there's a vulnerability to him that sneaks through a crack in his facade every now and then, leading us to believe that he wants Tessa's comfort and affection despite the actions that definitively say otherwise.

Jem is the gentleman to Will's roguish playboy. He's the voice of reason in a world of unpredictability, and he possesses a sensitivity and wisdom far beyond his young years. The differences between him and Will are astounding, and the two together with Tessa make for a love triangle of epic proportions. Watching the relationship between these three unfold and evolve is something I am greatly anticipating.

If brilliant characterization weren't enough, there's also a story that's masterfully executed, clues artfully placed with just enough information to pique curiosity, but not so much as to give any significant details away. There's mystery after mystery to keep the reader enthralled, virtually begging for more as the pages fly by with blurring speed. Ms. Clare has brought an entirely new dynamic to a familiar story for fans of The Mortal Instruments, and it's like coming home with all the comfort of recognizable objects and terminology, yet we are given a drastically different tale that prevents that familiarity from turning stagnant and repetitive.

Tessa, Will, and Jem are characters of depth, with an intoxicating humor and intelligence that demands we pay attention to their story. I'm fully invested in their world, worrying about them, hurting for them, and laughing with them. That kind of investment is fairly rare and is the mark of a book that has successfully embedded itself in my heart and mind and will be staying there for some time.

Rating: 4.5/5