Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book 1 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book 1

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2010

87%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Victorian London, demon-slaying gearheads, and a love triangle that might actually make your teen want to put down their phone.

Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book 1

book

2010

87%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Victorian London, demon-slaying gearheads, and a love triangle that might actually make your teen want to put down their phone.

4.6

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4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is into 'Shadowhunters' or just wants a fantasy that feels a bit more sophisticated than the average fare, this is a winner. It’s moody, it’s atmospheric, and the world-building is genuinely cool.

It’s a 2010 staple that hasn't lost its edge in 2026. While it hits the usual YA notes—expect lots of pining and dramatic declarations—it’s a far cry from 'brain rot' content. It’s the kind of book that turns casual readers into obsessive ones, which is a trade-off most parents will gladly take.

Age Fit

Best for 13 and up. Precocious 11 or 12-year-olds can handle it if they've already moved past middle-grade books, but the romantic intensity and 'brooding' themes are definitely aimed at the high school crowd.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Focuses on deep loyalty and the 'found family' dynamic of the London Institute. While the romance is heavy on the angst and pining, it's rooted in genuine connection rather than just physical attraction.

Imaginative

The blend of Victorian London with steampunk technology and supernatural lore is top-tier world-building. It invites readers into a very specific, atmospheric version of history.

Safe

Standard YA fantasy violence—demons getting dusted and some blood, but nothing gratuitous. The romance is 'steamy' for the age group but stays well within the PG-13 realm of closed-door or heavy kissing.

Enriching

The prose is more sophisticated than many modern YA peers, offering a great vocabulary workout. It also touches on themes of Victorian social hierarchy and women's agency without being a history lecture.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

The steampunk aesthetic—mechanical clockwork creatures in gaslit streets—is a refreshing break from standard fantasy tropes.
Tessa is a protagonist who genuinely loves books, making literacy feel 'cool' in-universe.
It tackles the 'found family' theme beautifully, showing kids that blood isn't the only thing that makes a family.

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What to Watch For

Will Herondale is the classic 'jerk with a heart of gold'—a good opportunity to talk about why being mean to people you like isn't a great real-world strategy.
The demon-hunting scenes can get a bit visceral, with ichor and clockwork parts flying, though it's never purely for shock value.

Conversation Starters

"If you could transform into anyone else for a day, would you use it to help people or just to see what their life is like?"
"Why do you think Will pushes people away even when he clearly needs help?"
"How would London be different if magic was real but hidden like it is in the book?"

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