Good start to the series. It's too soon to tell if I prefer this over The Mortal Instruments, but we shall see. I do, however, find TMI characters to be more interesting as a whole, and Will reminds me too much of Jace. Actually, a lot of characters in this one remind me of the characters in TMI. I don't really like that aspect. Tessa is a great female character, much better than Clary, in my opinion. I really enjoy reading her. She's not very open and trusting in the beginning, which is nice. Jem is a gem, of course. I'm not a huge fan of Victorian England, but it doesn't take the enjoyment out of reading the story. 
 Favorite Quotes 
 Tessa set her fork down. "Would you like to meet him? I could summon him up in a trice if you like. Being a warlock, and all." 
 "Indeed. Perhaps, if we're fortunate, we can still catch syphilis." - Jem 
 "It's Will," she said. "He's being absolutely ridiculous in the dining room." 
 Charlotte looked puzzled. "How is this different from his being totally ridiculous in the library or the weapons room or any of the other places he's usually ridiculous?" 
 "It's all right to love someone who doesn't love you back, as long as they're worth you loving them. As long as they deserve it." - Sophie 
 Jessamine and Tessa 
 "Really, Tessa, must you be such a wet blanket?" 
 "A what?" 
 . . . . . . 
 "And I know you don't care how you look, but you ought to at least fix your hair, Tessa. It looks like birds are living in it!"