Tessa leaves New York in hopes of reuniting with her brother in London after her aunt dies. That is until when she gets off the boat to be reunited with her brother instead she's greeted by two creepy sisters and their driver known as The Dark Sisters (for obvious reasons). It turns out these Dark Sisters are part of a secret club called the Pandemonium Club led by someone known as The Magister. While they're holding Tessa captive they've brought out powers she didn't even know she had to put to use for their own benefit. 
 Based in a world where dark magic is real, vampires and warlocks exist, and the Nephilm (shadow hunters) who hate humans are supposed to protect them. Will Tessa find her brother, escape the magister, and find out what she really is? 
 This section of spoilers is VERY spoilery. It's pretty much a way for me to refresh prior to reading book number 2 ha. So unless you want major spoilers don't open. 
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 Saved by the shadow hunters society (mainly Jem and Will) come to her rescue. De Quincy is the THOUGHT to be a rogue vampire running the Pandemonium club and also known as The Magister. Will and Tessa go to one of De Quincy's vampire-only parties where supposedly they're killing humans which goes against the accords. & of course Nate would be one of the blood thirsty vampire victims that's about to be killed for breaking vampire law. 
 Once Nate is brought home he tells them all that they already know practically that the dark sisters use dark magic and will be using a spell to give the Magisters army of clockwork demons their power. While the Aclave is off trying to stop the magister, Jem and Will are trying to stop the dark sisters, and Tessa is fighting off the clockwork monsters from getting inside the institute. 
 Only to find out Nate knows everything! Seriously. He knew who the real magister was (not De Quincy) and he knew what his sister was and sold her out. I mean he sent chocolate to New York knowing Tessa wouldn't eat it and got his aunt killed!!! What an evil bastard - and stupid - brother! In the end Nate and his master got away (how the magister got away still baffles me) and Tessa is safe for now. 
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 The characters... 
 Tessa - I wish there had been more training scenes with her. More scenes to teach her how to fight and protect herself. Most of this book she was just weak and always running scared I felt like. She was better at words than she was with a knife (or pistol). The first book though I feel it was setting her open. I know she's capable of so much more and I hope that the second book will play on that. 
 Will - I want to know his deep and dark secrets. What makes him so bitter towards everything and everyone. Why he has to hide his emotions from getting the best of him. 
 Jem - You rock. You rule. I wish you weren't so ill because I'd totally be in favor of you over Will. Jem is so much more of an honest and open character when it comes to his thoughts and feelings.