The Infernal Devices

I was second guessing myself as to whether I wanted to review this trilogy now, or after reviewing The Mortal Instruments…… These books are a prequel to The Mortal Instruments (TMI) series, but I read them after devouring most of TMI. As of starting this blog, I clearly decided to introduce you to The Infernal Devices (TID) first!
This trilogy is set in Victorian England and opens by introducing you to Tessa Gray, our heroine, who is so much more than she appears. She has journeyed from New York City to London to reunite with her brother, her only family as they are orphaned. Things go immediately awry, when she is tricked into captivity by evil ‘women’, who show her that she is not entirely human. Or human at all……
Tessa has an amazing ability. She has the ability to take on the form of any sentient being, and while in that form, understand the thoughts of that being. It’s a power that people will kill to control.
She is rescued by the young Shadowhunter, Will Herondale. For those of you who don’t know, Shadowhunters are warriors who protect the human race from demons and the ‘shadow world’.
I could go on about these books for days, and my husband will tell you I have! I don’t want to give away too much, really just give you enough to encourage you to read them!
We are introduced to a wide range of characters, with different personalities and problems. Everything from terrible illness to being pushed into a life you never wanted, love triangles and marital miscommunication. Our characters range from Jem Carstairs, the young Shadowhunter who was poisoned by a demon at the age of six, to Charlotte Fairchild, a woman in a position of power, struggling to show how capable she really is.
With all of these characters we have some of the most beautiful expressions of love and caring that I have ever read. And I mean ever! I read…… A lot! And these struck a chord deep within me!

Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read. I would read them together with you,

As an avid reader, this line rang true. These are thoughts that run through my head, but living in the world we do, you just can’t walk around saying them. Even married to the love of my life, he would laugh at me a little.

Our hearts, they need a mirror, Tessa. We see our better selves in the eyes of those who love us.

Another beautiful and oh – so – romantic sentiment.

When you walk in the world, I will be the light by your side, the ground steady under your feet, the force that drives the sword in your hand. We are bound, beyond the oath.

This could be a romantic thing, sword talk aside, but this is actually a final moment between friends. Can we say wow! It’s not just the romantic moments that get me. These friends, bound by fate and circumstance,  have a relationship that shows how important non-romantic relationships are for us. They are shaped by each other and do everything they can to help each other.
I know I say this about all the books I review, but you must read these books! Obviously I liked them if I’m talking about them, but they are amazing! They are tagged as young adult books, but they are well written with fantastic characters, so what does age really matter? If the story can pull you in, well, that’s the whole point isn’t it?