08/23/10

Interview: Tessa Gray (Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare) & Giveaway

Posted In: Author Interview, Giveaway


Cassandra Clare

Books:

  • City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Book One)
  • City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments Book Two)
  • City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments Book Three)
  • Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices Book One)

Website|Blog|Mortal Instruments Site|Infernal Devices Site

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa’s power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


Today I have an interview with Tessa Gray, who makes her debut in Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.
So Tessa, what’s your first impression of London?

It is difficult for me to believe that anyone could call this revolting weather Summmer; it has rained or half-rained on me nearly every day since I’ve been here. Everything is damp. The walls are damp! The English try to combat the damp by building huge fires in their grates but all that means is that if you sit by the fire your front half is roasting while your back freezes! It is like New York in that everyone is racing everywhere in a great hurry, but I suppose that is a characteristic of cities in the main. Oh and the dust – gritty and made up of coal smoke and street dirt – gets everywhere. But lest you think I detest everything about London, many of the buildings are quite beautiful, and of course it is a thrill to be in the city where great Mr. Dickens penned so many of his famous works.

Were you surprised to discover that the world is home to supernatural beings, like Vampires and Werewolves?

The greatest surprise to me was the discovery of my own power. When the Dark Sisters first told me they expected me to be able to change my form, to shift shape magically, I of course thought they were mad. When I discovered it was the truth, that was when I realized everything I believed about the world was wrong. Once you accept that one great truth, each new piece of truth that is revealed comes as a lesser shock. By now, I imagine I would believe anything!

Let’s talk about the Shadowhunters….

Do you think they really plan to help you, or just use you and your powers?

I very much desire to trust them. It has been a long time — since my aunt died — since I have been in the presence of someone I trusted. But I cannot quite rid myself of the fear that they may be using me. They claim they will keep their promises, but how do I know that to be true?

What about Jem and Will, what are your impressions of them?

When I first saw Will I thought he was like one of those knights of the round table you read about in Mr. Tennyson’s works, come to rescue me. He isn’t like that at all, though. He shifts moods just like the wind changes. It’s terribly frustrating. Sometimes I want to kick him in the shins for the cruel things he says, but then I see how kindly he is toward Jem and even Charlotte and I simply don’t know. Jem of course is the soul of kindness. He is one of those people who makes you feel unworthy because you feel they have never had a bad or unkind thought!

Do you believe your brother is still out there alive?

I have to believe it. I think I would feel it if he weren’t.

Knowing all that you do now, would you have rather stayed ignorant and lived out a normal life?

I think I have come to believe there is no such thing as what is commonly called a normal life. I believe in the words of the great Mr. Goldsmith: “Remain inflexible, and fortune will some day change in your favor.” I intend to remain inflexible in the face of all I have learned: after all, I am still Tessa, still myself. And though this new world has brought me little but horror, I believe in the day when I will find the world the richer for its dangers and complexity.

Win an Infernal Devices/Mortal Instruments Prize pack!

What you can win:

  • A signed Clockwork Angel Poster
  • A Clockwork Angel journal
  • A preview booklet of the City of Bones graphic novel
  • A signed copy of City of Glass  (pb)
  • Rune Tattoos

Official Contest information:

  • to enter, please fill out the form below
  • entrants must be 13 years of age or older
  • contest deadline is September 7, 2010
  • contest open Everyone*
  • ONE ENTRY PER PERSON!
  • check out my Contest Policy/Privacy Policy

*Thanks to Cassandra for providing the prizes! I’ll be sending the prizes directly to the winner.

All content © The Story Siren 2007-2011

Related posts:

  1. Cassandra Clare
  2. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
  3. Author Interview: Claudia Gray
  4. Author Interview: Kirsten Miller & Giveaway
  5. Author Tales: Claudia Gray
104
comments

104 Comments

  1. FionaChan
    8/22/2010

    thank you! :D

  2. Caitlin
    8/22/2010

    Hey Kristi! :)

    Thanks so much for the giveaway! And I loved the interview. It's refreshing to read an interview where the characters thoughts are used!

  3. dor
    8/22/2010

    Thanks sweetie. This is sweet and fine.
    doreen riopel

  4. FionaChan
    8/23/2010

    thank you! :D

  5. Caitlin
    8/23/2010

    Hey Kristi! :)

    Thanks so much for the giveaway! And I loved the interview. It's refreshing to read an interview where the characters thoughts are used!

  6. dor
    8/23/2010

    Thanks sweetie. This is sweet and fine.
    doreen riopel

  7. Jamie
    8/23/2010

    Great giveaway! And really fun interview!

  8. Darlyn
    8/23/2010

    That is really sounds like Tessa in person! Great interview and great giveaway too!

  9. Psykhe22
    8/23/2010

    Thank you for the interview and the cool prizes! They are amazing!!

  10. Blueicegal ♥
    8/23/2010

    i was confused about her but that's obviously going to happen since i haven't read the book so im excited to read it and then quickly hop back on and re read it and thanks for the lovely giveaway appreciate you making it international! :)

  11. Jamie
    8/23/2010

    Great giveaway! And really fun interview!

  12. thebookfairyhaven
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for making this open to everyone Kristi! Great giveaway and loved the interview as well :)

  13. Darlyn
    8/23/2010

    That is really sounds like Tessa in person! Great interview and great giveaway too!

  14. Psykhe22
    8/23/2010

    Thank you for the interview and the cool prizes! They are amazing!!

  15. Blueicegal ♥
    8/23/2010

    i was confused about her but that's obviously going to happen since i haven't read the book so im excited to read it and then quickly hop back on and re read it and thanks for the lovely giveaway appreciate you making it international! :)

  16. Aleksandra
    8/23/2010

    That was fun interview :) and thanks for this awesome giveaway!!!

  17. thebookfairyhaven
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for making this open to everyone Kristi! Great giveaway and loved the interview as well :)

  18. La Bella Vita
    8/23/2010

    Love the interesting interview! :)

  19. Ladytink_534
    8/23/2010

    I enjoyed the interview and thanks for the great giveaway!

  20. Aleksandra
    8/23/2010

    That was fun interview :) and thanks for this awesome giveaway!!!

  21. La Bella Vita
    8/23/2010

    Love the interesting interview! :)

  22. Ladytink_534
    8/23/2010

    I enjoyed the interview and thanks for the great giveaway!

  23. caroline.taylor078
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for the contest, I am loving the fact that so many have been open to everyone lately! Thats cool, loved the interview too!

  24. Noelle Pico
    8/23/2010

    Looking forward to getting this book. :) This is such a great giveaway!

  25. Mandarina
    8/23/2010

    thank you very much, I love this saga =)

  26. caroline.taylor078
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for the contest, I am loving the fact that so many have been open to everyone lately! Thats cool, loved the interview too!

  27. Noelle Pico
    8/23/2010

    Looking forward to getting this book. :) This is such a great giveaway!

  28. Giada M
    8/23/2010

    Thank you for the interview and for making the contest international! :D

  29. Mandarina
    8/23/2010

    thank you very much, I love this saga =)

  30. Giada M
    8/23/2010

    Thank you for the interview and for making the contest international! :D

  31. kimscarecrow
    8/23/2010

    Haha this is perfect timing. I just finished City of Ashes and I have yet to get City of Glass. Thanks for the great giveaway. :)

  32. kimscarecrow
    8/23/2010

    Haha this is perfect timing. I just finished City of Ashes and I have yet to get City of Glass. Thanks for the great giveaway. :)

  33. Ekta
    8/23/2010

    Great interview, I know I'm going to love Tessa! Thanks for the giveaway!

  34. Christina/Book Addict
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and giveaway! I am very excited for this book!

  35. Booklover
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview! I am soo excited about this book!

  36. Ekta
    8/23/2010

    Great interview, I know I'm going to love Tessa! Thanks for the giveaway!

  37. addicted2reading
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and prizes! I'm so excited for this to come out next week :D

  38. fredamans
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview. Thank you for the chance at the wonderful prize pack!

  39. Christina/Book Addict
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and giveaway! I am very excited for this book!

  40. Missie
    8/23/2010

    Tessa is such a great character, and not just because she is so well read. She is much stronger than she believes herself to be, and I just think she is amazing!

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway. Fun stuff!

  41. Alexander Bennett
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview! And thanks for the giveaway!

  42. Booklover
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview! I am soo excited about this book!

  43. Lauren
    8/23/2010

    I love both interviews!! And what a cool prize pack

  44. addicted2reading
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and prizes! I'm so excited for this to come out next week :D

  45. fredamans
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview. Thank you for the chance at the wonderful prize pack!

  46. Missie
    8/23/2010

    Tessa is such a great character, and not just because she is so well read. She is much stronger than she believes herself to be, and I just think she is amazing!

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway. Fun stuff!

  47. Alexander Bennett
    8/23/2010

    Awesome interview! And thanks for the giveaway!

  48. Orchid
    8/23/2010

    Ooh, nice character interview! Thanks for the awesome contest. ^_^

  49. Lauren
    8/23/2010

    I love both interviews!! And what a cool prize pack

  50. Mrs. DeRaps
    8/23/2010

    I love Tessa…She's so interesting! I read an ARC of Clockwork Angel and it's one of my favorite reads of 2010. Thanks!

  51. The Bookish Type
    8/23/2010

    This was so much fun! I LOVED Clockwork Angel =) Are you going to do any interview with Will? Cause I gotta say, he's my fave ;-) I agree with Tessa though – the boy is fruuuustrating!! Lol! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

  52. Orchid
    8/23/2010

    Ooh, nice character interview! Thanks for the awesome contest. ^_^

  53. Mrs. DeRaps
    8/23/2010

    I love Tessa…She's so interesting! I read an ARC of Clockwork Angel and it's one of my favorite reads of 2010. Thanks!

  54. The Bookish Type
    8/23/2010

    This was so much fun! I LOVED Clockwork Angel =) Are you going to do any interview with Will? Cause I gotta say, he's my fave ;-) I agree with Tessa though – the boy is fruuuustrating!! Lol! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

  55. Jessy
    8/23/2010

    This is such a great giveaaway, thank you!

  56. The Paperback Princess
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and giveaway!!! :) Thanks!

  57. Jessy
    8/23/2010

    This is such a great giveaaway, thank you!

  58. The Paperback Princess
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and giveaway!!! :) Thanks!

  59. linaramz
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  60. linaramz
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  61. Natalie Aguirre
    8/23/2010

    Great interview. I really want to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  62. Natalie Aguirre
    8/23/2010

    Great interview. I really want to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  63. latishajean
    8/23/2010

    Great interview and great giveaway never read city of bones or any of them yet but have to now. heard great things thank you for the chance!

  64. latishajean
    8/24/2010

    Great interview and great giveaway never read city of bones or any of them yet but have to now. heard great things thank you for the chance!

  65. Reena Jacobs
    8/23/2010

    Wonderful interview!

    Wicked awesome prize pack. Thanks for the giveaway.

  66. Reena Jacobs
    8/24/2010

    Wonderful interview!

    Wicked awesome prize pack. Thanks for the giveaway.

  67. mariska
    8/23/2010

    What a Great prize pack ! Ty for making this possible to everyone :)

  68. Josette
    8/23/2010

    Great prizes! I would love to read the book someday too. Thanks for the contest. :)

  69. Beverly
    8/23/2010

    Thanks for hosting!

  70. mariska
    8/24/2010

    What a Great prize pack ! Ty for making this possible to everyone :)

  71. Josette
    8/24/2010

    Great prizes! I would love to read the book someday too. Thanks for the contest. :)

  72. Beverly
    8/24/2010

    Thanks for hosting!

  73. librarypat
    8/24/2010

    I can't wait for CLOCKWORK ANGEL.

  74. librarypat
    8/25/2010

    I can't wait for CLOCKWORK ANGEL.

  75. Nayá
    8/25/2010

    WEEEEEEEEEE!
    I'm in, for sure!
    thanks for hosting it!

  76. Nayá
    8/25/2010

    WEEEEEEEEEE!
    I'm in, for sure!
    thanks for hosting it!

  77. Meredith
    8/26/2010

    I can't wait to read the new books!

  78. Meredith
    8/27/2010

    I can't wait to read the new books!

  79. Pink Panther
    8/28/2010

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway! :)

  80. Pink Panther
    8/28/2010

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway! :)

  81. Mina
    8/30/2010

    Great giveaway! cant wait to read!!!!!

  82. Mina
    8/30/2010

    Great giveaway! cant wait to read!!!!!

  83. Book Spark
    8/31/2010

    I love the idea of interviewing characters instead of authors. What a great and unique idea!

    Thanks for the contests!

  84. Book Spark
    8/31/2010

    I love the idea of interviewing characters instead of authors. What a great and unique idea!

    Thanks for the contests!

  85. caridad13
    9/1/2010

    love this interview. i just finished reading the book and i love magnus more then ever and i love will. i just love every aspect of these book and of cassandra clare's writting.

    thank you for the contest and for getting thses interview.

  86. caridad13
    9/1/2010

    love this interview. i just finished reading the book and i love magnus more then ever and i love will. i just love every aspect of these book and of cassandra clare's writting.

    thank you for the contest and for getting thses interview.

  87. Fransciane
    9/1/2010

    very cool

  88. pinkpeonyblossom
    9/1/2010

    Thanks!

  89. Fransciane
    9/2/2010

    very cool

  90. pinkpeonyblossom
    9/2/2010

    Thanks!

  91. The Book Vixen
    9/2/2010

    Thanks for the opportunity! I love character interviews!

  92. The Book Vixen
    9/2/2010

    Thanks for the opportunity! I love character interviews!

  93. Emilie
    9/3/2010

    I would like to know if the contest was open to France?

  94. Emilie
    9/3/2010

    I would like to know if the contest was open to France?

  95. E.J. Stevens
    9/3/2010

    Thank you for the amazing giveaway! :)

    xx,
    E.J
    From the Shadows

  96. E.J. Stevens
    9/4/2010

    Thank you for the amazing giveaway! :)

    xx,
    E.J
    From the Shadows

  97. cynthial11
    9/5/2010

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! Love the interview!

  98. cynthial11
    9/5/2010

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! Love the interview!

  99. AmazingBookReviews
    9/7/2010

    Hey Kristi !
    Thanks for then amazing giveaway !
    Your AMAZING ! ^^

  100. AmazingBookReviews
    9/7/2010

    Hey Kristi !
    Thanks for then amazing giveaway !
    Your AMAZING ! ^^

  101. Into The Morning Reads
    9/7/2010

    Great interview with the author!

    Can't remember if I entered for this one or not, but I want!

  102. Into The Morning Reads
    9/7/2010

    Great interview with the author!

    Can't remember if I entered for this one or not, but I want!

  103. Maya
    11/16/2010

    great interview i can`t wait for the next book i also cant wait for city of fallen angels cassandra claire is just an amazing author XD

  104. Maya
    11/16/2010

    great interview i can`t wait for the next book i also cant wait for city of fallen angels cassandra claire is just an amazing author XD

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