Review: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Today's review isn't a super, brand new release, but that doesn't mean I wasn't over the moon to get my hands on a copy from the publisher. (Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!) 

Yes, I have read the Infernal Devices series and did read The Mortal Instruments series but stopped there since I did have my fill of the Shadowhunters. Now, that we've fast forwarded to a few years later, I was thrilled to have the chance to dive right back into Cassandra Clare's latest series, The Last Hours. Isn't that cover gorgeous???

Anyway, I'm going to keep myself form gushing too much and just head into the review, okie dokie?

CHAIN OF GOLD

The Last Hours, Book One

by Cassandra Clare

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Young Adult Fantasy

592 pages

Chain of Gold, a Shadowhunters novel, is the first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. .

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /   B&N 

BOOK DEPOSITORY    /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

For all of those readers out there, who have been yearning to have another tale which pulls in like the first Shadowhunters' series, it's time to rejoice because this latest book from Cassandra Clare captures that first amazing flare and lets it thrive in an entire new generation of Shadowhunters.

Cordelia's father has been accused for a crime he didn't solely commit and is being used as the scapegoat. In an attempt to retain whatever respect her family can, they move to London. Despite the year-long quiet, demon attacks suddenly emerge in the city right along with their arrival...and these demons carry a whole new row of threats and unexpected dangers. London is quarantined, trapping Cordelia and her friends in the city. Not only do they find themselves trying their best to battle the demons and get to the root of the problem, but they need to learn to understand their own powers, which are now coming to light.

There's always something special about picking up a book from Cassandra Clare. The writing flows so smoothly, balancing vibrant world building with unique characters and their distinct personalities. It didn't even take a page to know that this was going to be a very, well-crafted book. The author is talented and does master her art. That alone made it worth a read.

These characters shine as much as Will, Jem and Tessa did in the first books. (Here, it's important to note that while a person can read this new series without hitting the other books first, those readers will be missing out on background information, which does twist and wind into this new series and give it unique richness and depth.) There are more characters in this new series, and each one shines with their own quirks, ticks, strengths and deficiencies. Plus, the original characters are also back—older, still amazing, but playing second-fiddle to the new generation. And it's good so. 

Now, if you're looking for plot, this book was not super strong on this end. At least, not as strong as it could have been. There are demons and weaves going on, but the plot seems to be more of a sideline for the ever twisting character relationships, fears, and insecurities. And that is just fine. These relationships and self-discoveries carry the book well, draw in, and grab the reader the entire way through. There are many unexpected moments as friends need to adjust, romances form or break, and each one tries their best to work out who they truly are and where they stand in life and the fight. In other words, this one is drama pure and a delicious one at that. And yes, even love triangles stake their glorious claim and show that not all of them are boring or cliche. 

Summing it up, fans of the Shadowhunters are going to feel a sense of coming home when they read this one. Not only are there new characters to love and breathe for, but the secrets, hopes, and angst drips from every personality and page. While I do wish that the plot would have been just as strong, I can't really hold that against this novel, either, since this one is extremely well done on the character end...and that does make it a read to enjoy until the very end, where ever that may lead.