Title: Chain of Iron
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Published On: March 2, 2021
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: physical
Pages: 688
Synopsis:
The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.
Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.
But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.
Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
Cassandra Clare! How dare you leave us with that ending?? Unlike Chain of Gold, which took me weeks to read (might have had something to do with a worldwide pandemic), I sped through Chain of Iron in two days! I’d reread Chain of Gold a few weeks ago, so the characters were fresh in my mind, letting me dive right in.
And up until the very end, I was loving this one.
It almost made me deduct a star, but that felt like a reaction ruled by frustration instead of content. And honestly, it’s not the worst ending she’s ever left us on. (Yes, I’m talking to you Clockwork Prince!)
So, without any spoilers or giving too much away, here’s what I thought about Chain of Iron!
While I’m a huge Will and Tessa fan, I was happy there seemed to be less parental presence in this one. Before you rake me over the coals, hear me out! When Will and Tessa—and any of the other characters from The Infernal Devices are present—I spend more mental energy focused on them and pay less attention to the characters these books are actually about. In other words, all those parents can be very distracting. But I still love them!
“To love one another is to come as close as we ever can to being angels ourselves.”
Cassandra Clare, Chain of Iron
We get more Lucie and Jesse and their scenes together had me swooning! But we also get more of Grace’s backstory, and I’m still not a fan. I know Grace has had a terrible childhood with Tatiana, but that shouldn’t give her a free pass. I’m gonna need some major growth from that character in the final book to convert me.
“One should not, she felt instinctively, question miracles too closely.”
Cassandra Clare, Chain of Iron
Thomas and Alistair had some amazing scenes together that were also some of the best written ones, in my opinion. However, that only left me wishing I’d had more meaningful scenes with other side characters, like Anna and Christopher. Hopefully we’ll get those in Chain of Thorns!
Lastly, Cordelia, James, and Matthew are still my favorites. I was satisfied with their character growth, even if I wasn’t thrilled with the results. Cordelia is a badass and one of the best characters in the Shadowhunter universe. James can be quite frustrating, but he’s most assuredly Will’s son. And I still want to give Matthew a big old hug. Matthew is the character I’m most worried about.
“Someone who broke your heart is often not the person who can mend it.”
Cassandra Clare, Chain of Iron
It’s going to be a long, excruciating year before we get the conclusion to The Last Hours.
Rating:
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About the Author
Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.
A Song For A Book
I typically can’t listen to music during my first read-through of Clare’s books. There are too many details to keep straight. But I have been listening to Clare’s Chain of Iron playlist on Spotify (included below) when I’m not reading. I’ve chosen “Be Brave” by Cathy Heller to spotlight here. <3
They say that home is where the heart is
So what am I to do?
Won’t you teach me how to trust this
‘Cause I gave my heart to you
They say that less is more
But more is more
Promise we won’t break
And you will keep me safe
And I’ll be brave
I won’t be afraid
And you will keep me safe
And I’ll be brave…
Have you read Chain of Iron? Did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
I went looking to see if you had read this yet because I had bet you have. IT IS SO GORGEOUS. I think … it’s going to be sitting on my TBR cart for a while. I cannot go a year with an ending like you have described!! HAHA! I am glad that you did enjoy it though. Such a great rating and I’m looking forward to it but now I’m scared!
Haha! Honestly, I don’t blame you if you wait. 🤣 But don’t let me scare you. It’s not the WORST ending. Just not as wrapped up as I would have liked knowing I have to wait a year. 😍
Haha.. Cliffhangers are the worst but sometimes the best. LOL. It makes you want that next book all the more. It just sucks waiting so long!! It’s sitting on my book cart and it’s calling to me. I don’t know how long I can hold off. haha! 😀
Yes! I love that it leaves me wanting more, but the wait takes so long! That’s why she’s so good at what she does, I guess. Ha!
Very true! I can’t wait to see the cover for the next one bc these are gorgeous