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The Last Hours #3
Chain of Thorns
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2023)James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this conclusion to the Last Hours series from author Cassandra Clare.
Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.
Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.
After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.
Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.
For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.
Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.
Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.
After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.
Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.
For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.
778 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2023
About the author
Cassandra Clare
186 books267k followersCassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).
After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.
Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.
City of Bones was her first novel. Sword Catcher is her most recent novel.
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February 15, 2023
Oh boy did this book make me feel many things. The way my thoughts on some stuff did a huge flip... and lets just say mostly bad.
This was by far the weakest finale of any of Cassie's series. Im sorry but after waiting literally 2 years to get a book like this? Ive been a fan of Cassie's for almost 7 years and never have I been this angry and disappointed over her books. In the end I found my fav parts outweighed the so many things that were wrong with this book but my god💀 this pointless drama can only work for so long before it gets ridiculously frustrating and a character death was done SO dirty like Im genuinely mad at Cassie because what even??? It's just plain emotionless and cruel. It's so messed up and there was no reason. You can SO tell that Cassie only killed off that character because she needed to kill someone, just for shock factor because I swear that was such a lazy way to kill off someone. THE PARENTS OF THEM MOURNING WASNT EVEN ON PAGE JUST WHAT EVEN. The friends of that character didnt even properly mourn him except for 2 ??? This is just pure laziness. The lazy writing is horrid. And I KNOW Cassie knows how to write well written deaths and aftermaths because she did so in QOAAD, City of Glass, and Clockwork Princess?? What happened to that?? How can you have 50% of the book be an unnecessary love triangle drama but not include something as crucial as the characters mourning someone they love dearly? It's as if they didnt even exist !! Intermission: grief was such a scam, what shouldve been about the death of one character was mostly overshadowed by two others ALIVE and just... where is the mourning and grief? The coping over someone very close who just DIED. That character so did not deserve this horrible horrible writing. Done so dirty.
Like with any death Cassie's written so far it's been me sad crying but it worked as a death... THIS??? I was angry sad devastated crying and now its rage complete wth moment and I wont lie but along with the love triangle drama going on for 50% of the book (so dumb cant get over it-- at least with QOAAD there was actual plot going over it and not unnecessary stupid drama. And here's the thing TLH is literally drama and I loved that! But COT just took it too far) and this death (#1 reason honestly!) are the main reasons Im giving this 3 star… not less because in the end I did enjoy seeing some of my favs. And even the ending was so underwhelming… honestly a really huge part of me wants to give this 2 stars but I cant bring myself to because despite all my complaints I will be listing, the only thing saving this book from 2 stars is my love for the Shadowhunter world and how deep that connection is having been a fan for so long. The nostalgia I have is whats saving this book.
yall i was in an emotional state (as you can see) writing this review so excuse the messiness. also major spoilers below
Now with characters... first up is Cordelia!! I remember a time where I loved her to the point of death and now I truly couldnt stand her for 50% of the book (even after that I truly could not care about her anymore) Im sorry what happened? She felt so out of character for one thing I could not believe the things she was saying and doing this isnt the Cordelia I know. I of course understand that there was so much going on her mind but still doesnt excuse the harsh words she had said to Lucie. I cannot get that out of my mind the way she made her cry… had she just said it because of her being a paladin that they shouldnt be parabatai I wouldve understood but the way she was so unfair towards Lucie and even made “living in stories” an insult towards her??? Frankly, Cordelia annoyed me most of the time.
“I could never hate you, for all my hate is reserved for myself. I have none left over for anyone else."
And James!! I love James so much, him having to come to terms with what he's gone through, the trauma and everything he's missed out on being under the enchantment? Absolutely devastating, I wanted to cry. But truly Cassie did not need 400 pages of drama with that love triangle🤩 I felt SO bad for James with all that pain he had to go through every time he thought of the gracelet and how since he was 14 he's only been half-alive. The trauma and how James said he only has hatred towards himself SOBBING Tatiana deserved worse than what she got. But still I will never understand the need for why Cassie had to add the love triangle... we did not need that pain for James and drama for 400 pages and a pointless love triangle (of all things) just really?
Also it's sad but I came to realize halfway through the book that herondaisy has lost its appeal for me. Like truly Im happy that theyre happy but no joke their whole relationship... they just seemed more physically attracted to each other here rather than actually emotionally in love? In COG and COI they had so much more precious and wholesome scenes than in COT...
And Matthew!! Haha did I really say I loved him and didnt want him to die back when I read COI?? Well let me take that back. On rereading the first two books I noticed things I didnt like about Matthew and one thing especially that bothered me is what kind of parabatai do you have to be to go run off to Paris with your parabatai's wife??? Especially when she’s emotionally distraught like there was NO thinking going there. Just what?? Literally no parabatai from the other series would ever do that?? And him lying to Cordelia during Paris that he would not drink yet all he did was drink secretly and lie to Cordelia's face? What the hell????? Of course I understand withdrawal is horrible but the lying? Not cool at all. Also idk about you but if I accidently killed the child whom my mother was pregnant with... I would not keep it from my family and everyone I loved??? It's not even just to save myself from guilt of keeping it a secret but how can anyone just keep a secret like that from their mother who mourns the loss of the child they never had and who would believe they would never be able to have another again? Charlotte of all people had a right to know what happened to her baby and Matthew keeping it secret had no right.
Anyways, the beginning of COT Matthew annoyed me to no end also so🤩 (I would have Matthew die instead of Christopher in a HEARTBEAT) and something else... after Matthew's drinking being such an important aspect of the story, you're telling me it's glossed over so quickly when he tells Charlotte and Henry? I dont know about you but something like that shouldve been given more time and consideration as its own scene. What the actual hell Cassie.
Something I will say that I loved to see happen though was the way Matthew's arc towards healing was handled. When James told him "Remember that your sin is your silence, not what you did." --LIKE LITERALLY FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS IT TO HIM. I love how Christopher came up with the perfect treatment for him (yet another reason to love Christopher sm??) and with the support of all his friends, Matthew was able to slowly get on a path of recovery. Despite my dislike of Matthew, it was very heartwarming to see honestly and such an emotional moment especially seeing how easily it could have taken a dark turn like Elias's end had he not gotten the help he needed. I do still stand by that Matthew is quite annoying, but I dont hate him completely. Im glad Cassie didnt give him a love interest (love triangle doesnt count he didnt really love Cordelia) and focused more on his alcoholism problem and his healing.
Anna and Ariadne were just... there. I really do not have much of an opinion on either of them and truly could care less about their fates had they died. Anna is such a queen and Ari's arc was really nice but that's it.
Now for the people I absolutely adored!! Grace, Lucie, Christopher, Thomas, and Alastair!! My loves!!
"I suppose. I have always thought everyone deserves a second chance. We are each given only one life. We cannot get another one. We must live with the mistakes we have made."
Im going to be blunt. To the people who still hate Grace AND think she deserves every sort of misery this world has to offer, literally get over yourself. Learn what morally gray means and then come back. You can hate Grace if you want just because despite everything youve read about her (altho i wouldnt understand), you can’t get over what she did but seriously otherwise, it's obvious that you just hate people who have been abused and think it's their fault that they were abused. That's literally what it means. Nobody is asking you to forgive or forget all that Grace has done (rightfully so, it cant be something anyone can forgive) but to still go after her like she's a demon spawn?? I find it ironic that I've seen more hatred towards Tatiana than Grace... hmm I wonder what that says about some people.
Anyways !! Grace !! Such a complex character I literally adore this girl. Her hatred towards herself pains me, the need and want to do better and be a better person omg I was cheering for her. To have finally come across warmth and kindness from someone... I want to cry Christopher was truly everything to her. Grace's arc couldve been done so much better but alas it was expected that Cassie wouldnt really do it justice… it truly felt like Cassie only wanted her for her to be the one to get the fire messages to work and just😐
“But Grace, I have never blamed you for your mother before. I will not start now. She was vile. But you are not vile. You have done wrong, but you are trying to make it right. And such trying is not easy.”
SEEING THE GRACETOPHER MOMENTS ohmygod they just gave me so much life - which is also another reason why I felt SO robbed when Cassie just kills off Christopher??? like what the hell you really pulled that??? an absolute menace I could kill something. Their scenes were what I was looking forward to most from COT and they served so well😭😭 Christopher was the most understanding and reasonable person of everyone in this book I swear. and Grace being able for the first time to be treated with so much kindness by Christopher? yall HE LITERALLY CHOSE TO VISIT HER IN THE SILENT CITY TO HAVE THEIR OWN XMAS PARTY WITH CHAMPAGNE THEN GO TO WILL'S CHRISTMAS PARTY BECAUSE HE DIDNT WANT HER TO BE ALONE??? IF THAT DOESNT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOW WHOLESOME THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS THEN IDK WHAT IS.
“She felt the ache inside her like pain, the loss of Christopher. Who had understood her, and not judged her.”
The worst part is that literally it didnt even cross my mind that Kit could be killed off?? I CANT WRAP MY HEAD AROUND IT yet of course I shouldve seen it coming.. No I lie I did not see it coming because in what world would it make sense. Yes, they needed only one lightwood from Cecily's side to live in order for the Lightwood line to live on so Alexander is still there BUT KIT?? THE MOST PRECIOUS BALL OF SUNSHINE ??? The only one who could actually see past someone and understand them so well... Grace's only friend who even knowing what she did, he didnt abandon her nor coddle her but gave her advice and spoke of her making up for her mistakes... the only one who was just like Grace in having a scientific mind AND YOU KILL HIM??? GARCETOPHER POSSIBILITY JUST ERADICATED LIKE THAT? I hate you Cassie like I am genuinely upset and am not saying this as in I hate her but still love her like I hate her for doing this literally how heartless do you have to be. And what makes it even worse is that we see none of the merry thieves and co mourning except for Thomas??? EVEN GRACE WHO ONLY KNEW KIT FOR A FEW WEEKS MOURNED MORE AND HAD MORE CLOSURE WITH KIT THAN THE OTHERS. That laboratory scene after his death had me sobbing ohmygod. But then there was everyone else... It's like they were all like "oh no!! Anyways..." and I hate Cassie so much for that. How could we even not see Gabriel and Cecily find out about Kit's death? What is this world we live in? At the very least (but not enough), why are we told that Will and Tessa cry over Lucie and James being stuck in London but no word at all from Cecily and Gabriel’s reactions??? JUST HUH
"Something brushed against her temple, tucking her hair behind her ear. A ghostly touch, a goodbye. A moment later, she knew he was gone.”
Yes, Im forever mourning what couldve been. I wouldve even been dead happy had they become best friends like😭 Cassie hates the Lightwoods confirmed
"You told me once you dont believe in endings, happy or otherwise. Is that still true?"
"Of course. We have so much yet ahead--good, bad, and everything else. I believe this is our happy middle. Don't you?"
LUCIE OMG Lucie deserved so much more than being thrown to the side. She's literally amazing I adore her so much??? Her character is so unique but also just the feats she's accomplished!! Not only bringing back Jesse to life but also they literally would have all died at the Institute when Tatiana encountered them had it not been Lucie's power of bringing Rupert's spirit to the battlefield. Rupert dissing Tatiana was hilarious as hell. Grace telling Lucie to use her power and Lucie using her power they were truly the mvps !! OH and then when Lucie had figured out what to do to make the Watchers in the final battle fall and free the spirits of those bodies !! Literal queen I swear. Also can I just say that Cordelia landing the final blow on Tatiana was so... meh. Like why Cordelia? If anything Grace shouldve been the one to murder Tatiana it wouldve been so fitting after everything Tatiana has done to her. She’s suffered the most at Tatiana’s hand, so Cordelia stealing that kill sucks. I honestly dont think I'll ever get over the way Lucie was pretty much overlooked especially with the potential her character had had she gotten more page time. Even though nobody in the book noticed the things she did, Jesse, Grace and I noticed so <3
"I am alive because of you, but not only because you commanded me to live. I am alive because my life has you in it."
Which also brings me to Jesse. Jesse had SO much potential as well to become a fav but again, he was also sidelined with Lucie. Their relationship was pretty much not given as much attention as the others, even though it's literally the most healthy and precious one, there were no lies ever between them, only trust and love and adorable moments <3 I need more luciejesse content in future novellas.
"Attitudes towards her brother had changed, but even more than that, he had changed. [...] Alastair now seemed to feel free to express the love and affection for his friends and family he had always tamped down and hidden away."
I SOBBED. Of everyone in this series, Alastair Carstairs remains my #1 favourite TLH character. The way he’s changed so much just thinking of it gets me emotional. He learned to accept himself and believe he’s deserving of love. For so long he’s hated himself and so for this journey of his self-hatred to turn into self-love.. I cannot deal with the emotions, Im beyond happy. HIM EASILY BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS HIS LOVE WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD STOP MY HEART CANT HANDLE THIS. Thomastair was really the only ship Id say that was done justice out of everyone in this series. The half-burnt fire message was hilarious bye “Dear Alastair, Why are you so stupid I brush my teeth Don’t tell anyone, Thomas.” that will never not be funny. Alastair taking care of little Zachary Arash Carstairs sdkhgks it's adorable, Alastair now always smiling makes my heart melt🫠
Also I truly do not understand how Lucie and Cordelia went through becoming parabatai because truly if we are all being honest--from the content we’ve had of the two, it doesnt make sense, it shouldn't have happened. Literally we were told so much about Cordelia and Lucie's deep friendship but this whole series actually has not shown that. They were actually distant and even in a fight more than they actually had friendship goals - it was only within the last 200 pages that we saw how much their friendship couldve been my fav had it not appeared so late in the series... and that's such a missed opportunity. Hell Anna and Cordelia had a more real and sweet friendship than Cordelia and Lucie. And Grace and Lucie could’ve had their own friendship. I could see the potential in COI - of course, that was destroyed once Lucie found out what Grace did, which is fair, but it doesnt change the potential there.
Really the only two-person non-romantic relationship that was built and developed SO PERFECTLY is Cordelia and Alastair's sibling relationship. It's messy, honest, protective, deep, funny and literally everything like my heart is filled with love. When Cordelia said to Alastair, "I am not sure we choose who we love. I rather think love is something like a book written just for us, a sort of holy text it is given to us to interpret. And you are refusing to read yours." JUST MY HEART how far their relationship has come <3
Otherwise, just what happened I dont understand how Cassie could mess up THIS badly? The disappointment I feel is immeasurable. I feel betrayed. Never have I hated so many things that occurred in any of her books. I thought I could trust her and she's betrayed that. I dont even know what to think anymore. I feel the need to reread my favs books of Cassie's now in order to remind myself why I love her books but otherwise... what was looking to be my 2nd fav series in TSC made such a dark turn. You dont understand I want to cry for eternity I hate this I was so excited. I literally am starting to tear up because of how I mourn the potential this series has. Cassie has made me going from loving TLH with everything I have to just feeling miserable and bitter towards COT this breaks me the most.
Oh oh one more thing: the reason why the family tree is inaccurate has to be the dumbest excuse I have ever seen in my life, like really? I promise you Cassie couldve come up with something better but you're telling me it's all because of this random side character who just wrote inaccurate info for the sake of it? *Esme creating a family tree based on thinking of ppl who are alive are dead, and dead are alive, deciding herself who is going to marry who and die when* JUST HUH🤡 You’re telling me a lunatic just decided to create a family tree? Talk about a lousy excuse.
DAMMIT I HAD MORE TO SAY BUT HAD TO CUT DOWN BC OF THE WORD LIMIT. I must stop but this is so the biggest plot twist of 2023 for me. Disappointed forever.
Now Cassie give us the original ending, it couldnt have been as bad as this.
This was by far the weakest finale of any of Cassie's series. Im sorry but after waiting literally 2 years to get a book like this? Ive been a fan of Cassie's for almost 7 years and never have I been this angry and disappointed over her books. In the end I found my fav parts outweighed the so many things that were wrong with this book but my god💀 this pointless drama can only work for so long before it gets ridiculously frustrating and a character death was done SO dirty like Im genuinely mad at Cassie because what even??? It's just plain emotionless and cruel. It's so messed up and there was no reason. You can SO tell that Cassie only killed off that character because she needed to kill someone, just for shock factor because I swear that was such a lazy way to kill off someone. THE PARENTS OF THEM MOURNING WASNT EVEN ON PAGE JUST WHAT EVEN. The friends of that character didnt even properly mourn him except for 2 ??? This is just pure laziness. The lazy writing is horrid. And I KNOW Cassie knows how to write well written deaths and aftermaths because she did so in QOAAD, City of Glass, and Clockwork Princess?? What happened to that?? How can you have 50% of the book be an unnecessary love triangle drama but not include something as crucial as the characters mourning someone they love dearly? It's as if they didnt even exist !! Intermission: grief was such a scam, what shouldve been about the death of one character was mostly overshadowed by two others ALIVE and just... where is the mourning and grief? The coping over someone very close who just DIED. That character so did not deserve this horrible horrible writing. Done so dirty.
Like with any death Cassie's written so far it's been me sad crying but it worked as a death... THIS??? I was angry sad devastated crying and now its rage complete wth moment and I wont lie but along with the love triangle drama going on for 50% of the book (so dumb cant get over it-- at least with QOAAD there was actual plot going over it and not unnecessary stupid drama. And here's the thing TLH is literally drama and I loved that! But COT just took it too far) and this death (#1 reason honestly!) are the main reasons Im giving this 3 star… not less because in the end I did enjoy seeing some of my favs. And even the ending was so underwhelming… honestly a really huge part of me wants to give this 2 stars but I cant bring myself to because despite all my complaints I will be listing, the only thing saving this book from 2 stars is my love for the Shadowhunter world and how deep that connection is having been a fan for so long. The nostalgia I have is whats saving this book.
yall i was in an emotional state (as you can see) writing this review so excuse the messiness. also major spoilers below
Now with characters... first up is Cordelia!! I remember a time where I loved her to the point of death and now I truly couldnt stand her for 50% of the book (even after that I truly could not care about her anymore) Im sorry what happened? She felt so out of character for one thing I could not believe the things she was saying and doing this isnt the Cordelia I know. I of course understand that there was so much going on her mind but still doesnt excuse the harsh words she had said to Lucie. I cannot get that out of my mind the way she made her cry… had she just said it because of her being a paladin that they shouldnt be parabatai I wouldve understood but the way she was so unfair towards Lucie and even made “living in stories” an insult towards her??? Frankly, Cordelia annoyed me most of the time.
“I could never hate you, for all my hate is reserved for myself. I have none left over for anyone else."
And James!! I love James so much, him having to come to terms with what he's gone through, the trauma and everything he's missed out on being under the enchantment? Absolutely devastating, I wanted to cry. But truly Cassie did not need 400 pages of drama with that love triangle🤩 I felt SO bad for James with all that pain he had to go through every time he thought of the gracelet and how since he was 14 he's only been half-alive. The trauma and how James said he only has hatred towards himself SOBBING Tatiana deserved worse than what she got. But still I will never understand the need for why Cassie had to add the love triangle... we did not need that pain for James and drama for 400 pages and a pointless love triangle (of all things) just really?
Also it's sad but I came to realize halfway through the book that herondaisy has lost its appeal for me. Like truly Im happy that theyre happy but no joke their whole relationship... they just seemed more physically attracted to each other here rather than actually emotionally in love? In COG and COI they had so much more precious and wholesome scenes than in COT...
And Matthew!! Haha did I really say I loved him and didnt want him to die back when I read COI?? Well let me take that back. On rereading the first two books I noticed things I didnt like about Matthew and one thing especially that bothered me is what kind of parabatai do you have to be to go run off to Paris with your parabatai's wife??? Especially when she’s emotionally distraught like there was NO thinking going there. Just what?? Literally no parabatai from the other series would ever do that?? And him lying to Cordelia during Paris that he would not drink yet all he did was drink secretly and lie to Cordelia's face? What the hell????? Of course I understand withdrawal is horrible but the lying? Not cool at all. Also idk about you but if I accidently killed the child whom my mother was pregnant with... I would not keep it from my family and everyone I loved??? It's not even just to save myself from guilt of keeping it a secret but how can anyone just keep a secret like that from their mother who mourns the loss of the child they never had and who would believe they would never be able to have another again? Charlotte of all people had a right to know what happened to her baby and Matthew keeping it secret had no right.
Anyways, the beginning of COT Matthew annoyed me to no end also so🤩 (I would have Matthew die instead of Christopher in a HEARTBEAT) and something else... after Matthew's drinking being such an important aspect of the story, you're telling me it's glossed over so quickly when he tells Charlotte and Henry? I dont know about you but something like that shouldve been given more time and consideration as its own scene. What the actual hell Cassie.
Something I will say that I loved to see happen though was the way Matthew's arc towards healing was handled. When James told him "Remember that your sin is your silence, not what you did." --LIKE LITERALLY FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS IT TO HIM. I love how Christopher came up with the perfect treatment for him (yet another reason to love Christopher sm??) and with the support of all his friends, Matthew was able to slowly get on a path of recovery. Despite my dislike of Matthew, it was very heartwarming to see honestly and such an emotional moment especially seeing how easily it could have taken a dark turn like Elias's end had he not gotten the help he needed. I do still stand by that Matthew is quite annoying, but I dont hate him completely. Im glad Cassie didnt give him a love interest (love triangle doesnt count he didnt really love Cordelia) and focused more on his alcoholism problem and his healing.
Anna and Ariadne were just... there. I really do not have much of an opinion on either of them and truly could care less about their fates had they died. Anna is such a queen and Ari's arc was really nice but that's it.
Now for the people I absolutely adored!! Grace, Lucie, Christopher, Thomas, and Alastair!! My loves!!
"I suppose. I have always thought everyone deserves a second chance. We are each given only one life. We cannot get another one. We must live with the mistakes we have made."
Im going to be blunt. To the people who still hate Grace AND think she deserves every sort of misery this world has to offer, literally get over yourself. Learn what morally gray means and then come back. You can hate Grace if you want just because despite everything youve read about her (altho i wouldnt understand), you can’t get over what she did but seriously otherwise, it's obvious that you just hate people who have been abused and think it's their fault that they were abused. That's literally what it means. Nobody is asking you to forgive or forget all that Grace has done (rightfully so, it cant be something anyone can forgive) but to still go after her like she's a demon spawn?? I find it ironic that I've seen more hatred towards Tatiana than Grace... hmm I wonder what that says about some people.
Anyways !! Grace !! Such a complex character I literally adore this girl. Her hatred towards herself pains me, the need and want to do better and be a better person omg I was cheering for her. To have finally come across warmth and kindness from someone... I want to cry Christopher was truly everything to her. Grace's arc couldve been done so much better but alas it was expected that Cassie wouldnt really do it justice… it truly felt like Cassie only wanted her for her to be the one to get the fire messages to work and just😐
“But Grace, I have never blamed you for your mother before. I will not start now. She was vile. But you are not vile. You have done wrong, but you are trying to make it right. And such trying is not easy.”
SEEING THE GRACETOPHER MOMENTS ohmygod they just gave me so much life - which is also another reason why I felt SO robbed when Cassie just kills off Christopher??? like what the hell you really pulled that??? an absolute menace I could kill something. Their scenes were what I was looking forward to most from COT and they served so well😭😭 Christopher was the most understanding and reasonable person of everyone in this book I swear. and Grace being able for the first time to be treated with so much kindness by Christopher? yall HE LITERALLY CHOSE TO VISIT HER IN THE SILENT CITY TO HAVE THEIR OWN XMAS PARTY WITH CHAMPAGNE THEN GO TO WILL'S CHRISTMAS PARTY BECAUSE HE DIDNT WANT HER TO BE ALONE??? IF THAT DOESNT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOW WHOLESOME THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS THEN IDK WHAT IS.
“She felt the ache inside her like pain, the loss of Christopher. Who had understood her, and not judged her.”
The worst part is that literally it didnt even cross my mind that Kit could be killed off?? I CANT WRAP MY HEAD AROUND IT yet of course I shouldve seen it coming.. No I lie I did not see it coming because in what world would it make sense. Yes, they needed only one lightwood from Cecily's side to live in order for the Lightwood line to live on so Alexander is still there BUT KIT?? THE MOST PRECIOUS BALL OF SUNSHINE ??? The only one who could actually see past someone and understand them so well... Grace's only friend who even knowing what she did, he didnt abandon her nor coddle her but gave her advice and spoke of her making up for her mistakes... the only one who was just like Grace in having a scientific mind AND YOU KILL HIM??? GARCETOPHER POSSIBILITY JUST ERADICATED LIKE THAT? I hate you Cassie like I am genuinely upset and am not saying this as in I hate her but still love her like I hate her for doing this literally how heartless do you have to be. And what makes it even worse is that we see none of the merry thieves and co mourning except for Thomas??? EVEN GRACE WHO ONLY KNEW KIT FOR A FEW WEEKS MOURNED MORE AND HAD MORE CLOSURE WITH KIT THAN THE OTHERS. That laboratory scene after his death had me sobbing ohmygod. But then there was everyone else... It's like they were all like "oh no!! Anyways..." and I hate Cassie so much for that. How could we even not see Gabriel and Cecily find out about Kit's death? What is this world we live in? At the very least (but not enough), why are we told that Will and Tessa cry over Lucie and James being stuck in London but no word at all from Cecily and Gabriel’s reactions??? JUST HUH
"Something brushed against her temple, tucking her hair behind her ear. A ghostly touch, a goodbye. A moment later, she knew he was gone.”
Yes, Im forever mourning what couldve been. I wouldve even been dead happy had they become best friends like😭 Cassie hates the Lightwoods confirmed
"You told me once you dont believe in endings, happy or otherwise. Is that still true?"
"Of course. We have so much yet ahead--good, bad, and everything else. I believe this is our happy middle. Don't you?"
LUCIE OMG Lucie deserved so much more than being thrown to the side. She's literally amazing I adore her so much??? Her character is so unique but also just the feats she's accomplished!! Not only bringing back Jesse to life but also they literally would have all died at the Institute when Tatiana encountered them had it not been Lucie's power of bringing Rupert's spirit to the battlefield. Rupert dissing Tatiana was hilarious as hell. Grace telling Lucie to use her power and Lucie using her power they were truly the mvps !! OH and then when Lucie had figured out what to do to make the Watchers in the final battle fall and free the spirits of those bodies !! Literal queen I swear. Also can I just say that Cordelia landing the final blow on Tatiana was so... meh. Like why Cordelia? If anything Grace shouldve been the one to murder Tatiana it wouldve been so fitting after everything Tatiana has done to her. She’s suffered the most at Tatiana’s hand, so Cordelia stealing that kill sucks. I honestly dont think I'll ever get over the way Lucie was pretty much overlooked especially with the potential her character had had she gotten more page time. Even though nobody in the book noticed the things she did, Jesse, Grace and I noticed so <3
"I am alive because of you, but not only because you commanded me to live. I am alive because my life has you in it."
Which also brings me to Jesse. Jesse had SO much potential as well to become a fav but again, he was also sidelined with Lucie. Their relationship was pretty much not given as much attention as the others, even though it's literally the most healthy and precious one, there were no lies ever between them, only trust and love and adorable moments <3 I need more luciejesse content in future novellas.
"Attitudes towards her brother had changed, but even more than that, he had changed. [...] Alastair now seemed to feel free to express the love and affection for his friends and family he had always tamped down and hidden away."
I SOBBED. Of everyone in this series, Alastair Carstairs remains my #1 favourite TLH character. The way he’s changed so much just thinking of it gets me emotional. He learned to accept himself and believe he’s deserving of love. For so long he’s hated himself and so for this journey of his self-hatred to turn into self-love.. I cannot deal with the emotions, Im beyond happy. HIM EASILY BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS HIS LOVE WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD STOP MY HEART CANT HANDLE THIS. Thomastair was really the only ship Id say that was done justice out of everyone in this series. The half-burnt fire message was hilarious bye “Dear Alastair, Why are you so stupid I brush my teeth Don’t tell anyone, Thomas.” that will never not be funny. Alastair taking care of little Zachary Arash Carstairs sdkhgks it's adorable, Alastair now always smiling makes my heart melt🫠
Also I truly do not understand how Lucie and Cordelia went through becoming parabatai because truly if we are all being honest--from the content we’ve had of the two, it doesnt make sense, it shouldn't have happened. Literally we were told so much about Cordelia and Lucie's deep friendship but this whole series actually has not shown that. They were actually distant and even in a fight more than they actually had friendship goals - it was only within the last 200 pages that we saw how much their friendship couldve been my fav had it not appeared so late in the series... and that's such a missed opportunity. Hell Anna and Cordelia had a more real and sweet friendship than Cordelia and Lucie. And Grace and Lucie could’ve had their own friendship. I could see the potential in COI - of course, that was destroyed once Lucie found out what Grace did, which is fair, but it doesnt change the potential there.
Really the only two-person non-romantic relationship that was built and developed SO PERFECTLY is Cordelia and Alastair's sibling relationship. It's messy, honest, protective, deep, funny and literally everything like my heart is filled with love. When Cordelia said to Alastair, "I am not sure we choose who we love. I rather think love is something like a book written just for us, a sort of holy text it is given to us to interpret. And you are refusing to read yours." JUST MY HEART how far their relationship has come <3
Otherwise, just what happened I dont understand how Cassie could mess up THIS badly? The disappointment I feel is immeasurable. I feel betrayed. Never have I hated so many things that occurred in any of her books. I thought I could trust her and she's betrayed that. I dont even know what to think anymore. I feel the need to reread my favs books of Cassie's now in order to remind myself why I love her books but otherwise... what was looking to be my 2nd fav series in TSC made such a dark turn. You dont understand I want to cry for eternity I hate this I was so excited. I literally am starting to tear up because of how I mourn the potential this series has. Cassie has made me going from loving TLH with everything I have to just feeling miserable and bitter towards COT this breaks me the most.
Oh oh one more thing: the reason why the family tree is inaccurate has to be the dumbest excuse I have ever seen in my life, like really? I promise you Cassie couldve come up with something better but you're telling me it's all because of this random side character who just wrote inaccurate info for the sake of it? *Esme creating a family tree based on thinking of ppl who are alive are dead, and dead are alive, deciding herself who is going to marry who and die when* JUST HUH🤡 You’re telling me a lunatic just decided to create a family tree? Talk about a lousy excuse.
DAMMIT I HAD MORE TO SAY BUT HAD TO CUT DOWN BC OF THE WORD LIMIT. I must stop but this is so the biggest plot twist of 2023 for me. Disappointed forever.
Now Cassie give us the original ending, it couldnt have been as bad as this.
Want to read
August 31, 2014I will be so old when this comes out.
February 4, 2023
controversial, i know
edit: i have to live my truth…..3 stars
edit: i have to live my truth…..3 stars
July 9, 2023
I can't believe this world is over. I don't want to talk about it.
July 4, 2023
Such a good finale to the last hours series!! My favorite things about this series: THE FRIENDSHIPS, how many romance side plots we get, getting to read about the shadow hunter universe again, Cordelia and James❤️, and Cassandra Clare's (always) beautiful writing style.
There were a few things I didn't love about this book which is why it got 4 stars instead of 5. I didn't care for the love triangle. Also, quite a bit of the main romance could've been solved so quickly with just one honest conversation, which is quite frustrating. I also felt the end battle with Belial went on way too long. Those are some of my critiques but overall a great 4 star series!
There were a few things I didn't love about this book which is why it got 4 stars instead of 5. I didn't care for the love triangle. Also, quite a bit of the main romance could've been solved so quickly with just one honest conversation, which is quite frustrating. I also felt the end battle with Belial went on way too long. Those are some of my critiques but overall a great 4 star series!
March 11, 2023
* jack harlow voice* what the hell is this
March 21, 2023
Hey, there are actually some peeps who do want more Shadowhunters stories. This boy included. Bring it on, Cassie! Don't let the negativity and teh angryzorz get you down.
By writing these words, Clearly I Have Made Some Bad Decisions.
And those words helped, for years and years as Clare kept steadily working her way through the world of Shadowhunters up to this point, to make my pre review of Chain of Thorns one of my most liked GR posts in a long, long time. And while this conclusion to The Last Hours, the most hit or miss Cassandra Clare series for me yet, also took a long, long time to grace us with its nearly 800 pages, it’s absolutely been worth the wait. The adventures of Cordelia, Grace, James and Lucie, Thomas and Christopher, even that inveterate arsehat Alistair (though admittedly I’ve softened on him somewhat by now.) And while this book gets pretty epic over its sheer length, it also, not unlike Clockwork Princess as opposed to other finales in this universe, just feels so peaceful to finally be over.
Over for now, but Clare will be back after a long hiatus.
And until then, ave atque vale.
By writing these words, Clearly I Have Made Some Bad Decisions.
And those words helped, for years and years as Clare kept steadily working her way through the world of Shadowhunters up to this point, to make my pre review of Chain of Thorns one of my most liked GR posts in a long, long time. And while this conclusion to The Last Hours, the most hit or miss Cassandra Clare series for me yet, also took a long, long time to grace us with its nearly 800 pages, it’s absolutely been worth the wait. The adventures of Cordelia, Grace, James and Lucie, Thomas and Christopher, even that inveterate arsehat Alistair (though admittedly I’ve softened on him somewhat by now.) And while this book gets pretty epic over its sheer length, it also, not unlike Clockwork Princess as opposed to other finales in this universe, just feels so peaceful to finally be over.
Over for now, but Clare will be back after a long hiatus.
And until then, ave atque vale.
Want to read
March 6, 2020I do not understand why "Thorns" are so appealing to YA authors.
May 2, 2023
I have come to the conclusion: it indeed doesn't deserve 5 stars like I did give on my first read. in fact, part of me almost wanted to take off another star but with all these beloved characters how could that possibly happen?
thisreview rant might contain slight spoiler so please continue with caution
what's a shadowhunter book without love triangles? not that I'm complaining since it provides me a good amount of angst which is absolutely one of the things I look for in books,though I wish it was between Matthew-Lucie-Jesse instead. and the fact that cc was trying to create herongraystairs 2.0 in this is so funny to me no you can't outdo the doer!
thankfully Matthew handled this love triangle situation maturely and you have no idea how happy I am that he's survived, his drinking issue was handled well, and he got the chance to communicate his problems and work them out. I'm just so happy for him :(
here's my actual complaint: cc unaliving MY UNPROBLEMATIC KING. it was not on my 2023 bingo card fr... and this traumatic experience only to find zero of his parents and adult families reactions, also nobody said "ave atque vale" to him this is vile, really. besides that, the book is unnecessarily 800 pages long, a bit all over places at some point, and I felt some things were rushed and ended up leaving unanswered questions.
however, in all fairness Chain of Thorns wrapped up just fine. justice was served, and everyone gets their happy ending. the epilogue is so important to me it was only filled with soft and heartwarming moments (unlike this one) which are necessary given the distressing experiences this book gave out.
I'm truly heartbroken now that The Last Hours is over. it was an amazing journey and these characters will linger with me forever *sobs* goodbye goodbye goodbye you were bigger than the whole sky 💔
this
what's a shadowhunter book without love triangles? not that I'm complaining since it provides me a good amount of angst which is absolutely one of the things I look for in books,
thankfully Matthew handled this love triangle situation maturely and you have no idea how happy I am that he's survived, his drinking issue was handled well, and he got the chance to communicate his problems and work them out. I'm just so happy for him :(
here's my actual complaint: cc unaliving MY UNPROBLEMATIC KING. it was not on my 2023 bingo card fr... and this traumatic experience only to find zero of his parents and adult families reactions, also nobody said "ave atque vale" to him this is vile, really. besides that, the book is unnecessarily 800 pages long, a bit all over places at some point, and I felt some things were rushed and ended up leaving unanswered questions.
however, in all fairness Chain of Thorns wrapped up just fine. justice was served, and everyone gets their happy ending. the epilogue is so important to me it was only filled with soft and heartwarming moments (unlike this one) which are necessary given the distressing experiences this book gave out.
I'm truly heartbroken now that The Last Hours is over. it was an amazing journey and these characters will linger with me forever *sobs* goodbye goodbye goodbye you were bigger than the whole sky 💔
August 22, 2023
⇢ 4 stars. ✦彡
“we have been in the crucible, and come out as gold.”
this series will forever be a comfort one for me. the characters make me feel so much and is it perfect? by no means. but i will always love it for what it is bc it will always offer me solace, and these characters are so close to perfect in my eyes i swear. i love them all beyond belief. 🥺 was this everything i hoped for? no. this didn’t quite go as i expected — especially in the first half, where all the characters (except for my beloveds thomas & alastair) were irritating me, but idc. i still enjoyed this so much for what this was, surprisingly enough. even when this pissed me off, i was so invested with the characters and that’s all i can hope for with any book.
james & cordelia (& by extension, matthew)
“you cannot hurt yourself, daisy. you must not. hate me, hit me, do anything you want to me. cut up my suits and set fire to my books. tear my heart into pieces, scatter them across england. but do not harm yourself.”
first of all, what pissed me off about them. james seeing matthew & cordelia kiss? ugh — for one thing, the kiss shouldn’t have happened in the first place bc to me, it felt like cordelia was using matthew to get over james when matthew genuinely had feelings for her & that gives me such an ick. but also, THAT’S SO UNNECESSARY & JUST TO CAUSE DRAMA 😤 and james hiding the whole grace + bracelet thing from cordelia just so that “i can let her be ignorant & happy, like she was with matthew” what the fuck. i didn’t hate them for it cause i got why all of it happened, but i still didn’t like the first part of the book simply bc of that, and all the other unnecessary drama that caused — especially with lucie.
i loved the way matthew’s alcoholism was dealt with, though! his dependency was shown so very clearly and so were his steps taken to overcome that and i loved the portrayal of that. i just also wanna clarify that i don’t blame matthew for any part of the drama between cordelia and james, bc that was between them alone. it wasn’t matthew’s fault he ended up falling in love with her. 🤧
“for there is no one else in this world, my most beautiful, maddening, adorable wife, that i could ever have loved half as much as i have loved you. my heart beats for you. only ever you.”
now for james & cordelia. i didn’t exactly adore them in this, but the fact that we finally got them together? that made me so emotional, and i love them only for that — for a few iconic scenes they delivered, and cause FINALLY. finally they happened and i just have this satisfaction i can’t shake. but i am so glad they’re finally together i could scream 🫶 they finally got their shit together and communicated and i love that for them.
thomas & alastair (this review is a thomastair shrine i can’t even lie)
thomas raised his head. “alastair,” he whispered, as if alastair’s name were a talisman against pain and grief, and alastair put his arms around thomas, with a gentleness cordelia did not think she had ever seen her brother express before.
thomastair holding this book up — we love to see it. for thomas & alastair alone i’d give this 5 stars if i could. they are and always will be everything to me. and alastair being so free with his smiles and thoughts because of thomas? pls — i adore him, and them, so much. and not alastair being so cute with his baby brother and singing him persian lullabies and just taking care of him 😭🥰 i just love him. his development was so profound and i loved seeing him grow from being this brutal, broken, angry boy who wanted to hurt others and had the capacity to love but never showed it, to being so soft with everyone he cares about, like cordelia and thomas.
dear alastair,
why are you so stupid and so frustrating, and why do i think about you all the time? why do i have to think about you when i get up and when i go to sleep and when i brush my teeth and right now? why did you kiss me in the sanctuary if you didn’t want to be with me? is it that you don’t want to tell anyone? it’s very annoying.
— thomas
they’re absolutely adorable. i can talk about them all day but i don’t even have words to express how much i loved them, so i’m not even gonna try anymore lol. loved everything about them in this book, especially the confessions. 🤭 i’m just gonna leave off with a lil quote with how much alastair appreciates thomas and how much they care for each other. 😭
“look at you,” alastair said, in a low voice. “beautiful. you’re so beautiful, tom.”
yes i cried cause of them ngl 😭 and then cordelia mentioning that after they got together, they never stopped touching each other, just those lil touches to show “you mean the world to me” kill me now i love them so much. i need so much more of them <3
ari & anna
anna took ari’s hand and looked down at it, as if she were marveling at its construction. “if we are all made up of different parts, then i am quite the chessboard.”
ari turned anna’s hand over in hers, and then laid it over her heart. “never a chessboard,” she said. “nothing so plain. you are a brightly colored pachisi board. you’re a backgammon set with triangles of inlaid mother-of-pearl and pieces of gold and silver. you are the queen of hearts.”
“and you,” anna said softly, “are the lamp that gives light, without which the game cannot be played.”
enough said 🤭 i ended up liking them so much more than expected, even though they weren’t exactly communicating either.
jesse & lucie
lucie annoyed tf out of me in this with her not understanding cordelia’s pov of anything — and i honestly couldn’t see why they were parabatai after everything, cause neither of them were even remotely close to being on the same wavelength lol. but hmm i liked jesse in this a lil, even though he was bland — what else would i have expected though? bc in the previous books, his only personality was him being a ghost, and now that we’ve taken that out of him, well. 😂 i guess lucie & jesse were cute together, though i really didn’t care all that much about them.
full on spoiler zone, proceed with caution ⚠️
so i get that christopher had to die. but did it have to happen in that unfeeling way? yes, there was an interlude signifying the “grieving” period of everyone but it wasn’t all that realistic. all of them seemed to be more torn up about losing james & matthew to belial tbh and no one except grace even seemed to feel much for him!! that was how i knew the characterizations were all wrong, with that part of the book. thomas was apparently christopher’s closest companion and yet grace felt more for christopher than he did — make it make sense.
i liked grace’s development in this, and while i’m still not her biggest fan, i get why she is the way she is — and her guilt was done so realistically imo. i like the way she was the one who told cordelia about her manipulating james into feeling “things” for her, cause i know james would’ve never told cordelia himself and they’d always be in that limbo state, with cordelia never being able to trust james, had grace not done that — so i love her a little only for that. and i’m sad that she’s never gonna know the love of christopher either anymore 😔 i know a lot of people would’ve preferred her staying the villain but idk, i liked the added complexity to her character and her motivations just made sense. so i didn’t exactly like her but i don’t hate her either, anymore. (i am in no way saying i condoned what she did to james cause that was terrible — but i got why she did.)
spoilers end! ⚠️
so while this might not have been the earth-shattering read i expected, it was in no way as terrible as i’d dreaded it to be from all the reviews i’d seen, especially bc i know i don’t like the miscommunication trope — yet all three of these books are at the same 4 star level for me, which for me says a lot bc anything with that rating is something i just... love. 🫶 so yeah i adore this series and i’d highly recommend it for sure.
this wouldn’t have been what it was to me without my love ellie who buddy read this series with me (well, buddy reread for the first two books & then reading this book lol). i loved this even more bc i read it with you 🥹🥹 i brush my teeth, don’t tell anyone! 🫣
May 18, 2023
Why oh why does cassie feel compelled to always include a love triangle in her books?? Like girl PLEASE you can do better.
Will/Tessa/Jem were the one and only exception. She did that well, but recycling it for this series was just not it.
In conclusion, when chain of gold came out i promised myself this would be the last Cassie Clare series i would read but i wish i hadnt even bothered. Cassie peaked in Lord of Shadows and nothing will change my mind.
____
pre-read predictions
What I think needs to happen in Chain of Thorns:
• Matthew needs
✨ Please refrain from posting spoilers in the comments. Use the spoiler tags! ✨
Will/Tessa/Jem were the one and only exception. She did that well, but recycling it for this series was just not it.
In conclusion, when chain of gold came out i promised myself this would be the last Cassie Clare series i would read but i wish i hadnt even bothered. Cassie peaked in Lord of Shadows and nothing will change my mind.
____
pre-read predictions
What I think needs to happen in Chain of Thorns:
• Matthew needs
✨ Please refrain from posting spoilers in the comments. Use the spoiler tags! ✨
Want to read
October 18, 2021not even kidding, i don’t care about anything in this book except matthew fairchild
April 8, 2023
1.) City of Bones ★★★
2.) City of Ashes ★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★
*.) Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★
1.) Lady Midnight ★★★★★
2.) Lord of Shadows ★★★★
*.) Ghosts of the Shadow Market ★★★★
3.) Queen of Air and Darkness ★★★★
1.) The Red Scrolls of Magic ★★★★★
1.) Chain of Gold ★★★★★
2.) Chain of Iron ★★★★★
my first read of 2023...
i just feel like i never am fully in love with cassie’s endings, sadly. But I still had a good time reading this and being back in the world. <3
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
trigger + content warnings: loss of a loved one, trauma, alcoholism, extreme alcohol withdrawals,, vomiting, seizures, grief depictions, anxiety, abusive parents/bad parents, grey area cheating, blood depictions, violence, gore, homophobia, misogyny, self harm, mention of loss of a child in the past, possession (against one's will), enchantment (against one's will), insect horror, kidnapping, harming of a baby (kind of spoilers but…
2.) City of Ashes ★★
3.) City of Glass ★★★
1.) Clockwork Angel ★★★
4.) City of Fallen Angels ★
2.) Clockwork Prince ★★★★
5.) City of Lost Souls ★★★★
3.) Clockwork Princess ★★★★★
6.) City of Heavenly Fire ★★★★★
*.) The Bane Chronicles ★★★
*.) Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy ★★★
1.) Lady Midnight ★★★★★
2.) Lord of Shadows ★★★★
*.) Ghosts of the Shadow Market ★★★★
3.) Queen of Air and Darkness ★★★★
1.) The Red Scrolls of Magic ★★★★★
1.) Chain of Gold ★★★★★
2.) Chain of Iron ★★★★★
“I am saying that with you, I have no armor. I feel everything. For better or worse.”
my first read of 2023...
i just feel like i never am fully in love with cassie’s endings, sadly. But I still had a good time reading this and being back in the world. <3
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
trigger + content warnings: loss of a loved one, trauma, alcoholism, extreme alcohol withdrawals,, vomiting, seizures, grief depictions, anxiety, abusive parents/bad parents, grey area cheating, blood depictions, violence, gore, homophobia, misogyny, self harm, mention of loss of a child in the past, possession (against one's will), enchantment (against one's will), insect horror, kidnapping, harming of a baby (kind of spoilers but…
April 4, 2023
OK NOW PAY FOR MY THERAPY
November 4, 2023
I think the one word that can aptly describe this book is underwhelming. Books have no right to be this underwhelming. Especially, a highly anticipated ending book of a trilogy.
The first 50% of this book was so bad that I considered dnfing and giving it a one-star rating. I admit that it got better during the last 30%. That's the only reason it's getting two stars from me.
What even happens in this trilogy? I have no idea how a trilogy from such a good author, who btw wrote The Infernal Devices (TID), can go so wrong.
My biggest complaint -Can Cassandra Clare stop writing so many LOVE TRIANGLES™??
I get it. I really do. She wrote the best love triangle I've ever read about in TID about Tessa, Will and Jem. But that does not mean that she has to write one in every single book. Please stop. For the betterment of humanity please stop.
The love triangle here does not even make any sense! I'm quite sure the original love triangle was supposed to be between Matthew, Lucie and Jessie. And then Clare changed her mind and we have this atrocity.
James, Cordelia and Matthew love triangle is just terrible. Any other pairing would have been better than theirs. Matthew and Cordelia have no chemistry at all. Like none. Tbf, Cordelia has no chemistry with James either but that's beside the point. James and Matthew have such good chemistry. Matthew could have liked James instead of Cordelia.
I mean, I think the only reason Matthew likes Cordelia is because she is unattainable. After all, she's his best friend's wife.
They spent so much time lounging around in Paris while else one else suffered. They even kissed! Twice. Almost slept together in Paris. Poor James. All this happened because of a dumb misunderstanding. Matthew is James' parabatai, does he not know that James is not the cheating type? But no why does it matter?
No one even tried to communicate with each other. They all are such good friends yet they never reveal their problems and choose to suffer in silence.
Miscommunication makes everything so much more fun. Right?
Clare is known for writing good romantic stories. But the romance in this book was terrible. Except for Thomas and Alastair. No complaints about them. They were absolutely perfect. They carried the romance in this book. Lucie and Jessie's relationship could have been so good but it was very rushed. And don't get me started on James and Cordelia. They were quite exceptionally bland.
Matthew as a character had so much potential! He could have been so good. But alas it was not meant to be. James and Matthew's friendship was butchered. They spent the whole book and the series fighting about Cordelia. Jem and Will would never do this. They must be so ashamed.
As I've mentioned in my review of the 2nd book, Cordelia is the blandest character ever. She is the same in this book. Also, she has become so whiny. She kept complaining about everything.
Why do Lucie and Cordelia become parabatai? They barely know each other and spent the whole book fighting.
I'll admit that Alastair grew a lot on me. I hated him in the previous books. But his character development and his romance with Thomas were done very well.
The villains were extremely one-dimensional and stupid.
The action in the last half was very predictable.
This book might not be as terrible as the previous book, but it was still a terrible mess.
Pre-release thoughts-
I hope that James gets a happy ending. He deserves better.
I also want Matthew to get a happy ending but tbh, I don't he will get one.
I hope this is not tedious and stupid like the previous book. Please don't be a soap opera.
The first 50% of this book was so bad that I considered dnfing and giving it a one-star rating. I admit that it got better during the last 30%. That's the only reason it's getting two stars from me.
What even happens in this trilogy? I have no idea how a trilogy from such a good author, who btw wrote The Infernal Devices (TID), can go so wrong.
My biggest complaint -Can Cassandra Clare stop writing so many LOVE TRIANGLES™??
I get it. I really do. She wrote the best love triangle I've ever read about in TID about Tessa, Will and Jem. But that does not mean that she has to write one in every single book. Please stop. For the betterment of humanity please stop.
The love triangle here does not even make any sense! I'm quite sure the original love triangle was supposed to be between Matthew, Lucie and Jessie. And then Clare changed her mind and we have this atrocity.
James, Cordelia and Matthew love triangle is just terrible. Any other pairing would have been better than theirs. Matthew and Cordelia have no chemistry at all. Like none. Tbf, Cordelia has no chemistry with James either but that's beside the point. James and Matthew have such good chemistry. Matthew could have liked James instead of Cordelia.
I mean, I think the only reason Matthew likes Cordelia is because she is unattainable. After all, she's his best friend's wife.
They spent so much time lounging around in Paris while else one else suffered. They even kissed! Twice. Almost slept together in Paris. Poor James. All this happened because of a dumb misunderstanding. Matthew is James' parabatai, does he not know that James is not the cheating type? But no why does it matter?
No one even tried to communicate with each other. They all are such good friends yet they never reveal their problems and choose to suffer in silence.
Miscommunication makes everything so much more fun. Right?
Clare is known for writing good romantic stories. But the romance in this book was terrible. Except for Thomas and Alastair. No complaints about them. They were absolutely perfect. They carried the romance in this book. Lucie and Jessie's relationship could have been so good but it was very rushed. And don't get me started on James and Cordelia. They were quite exceptionally bland.
Matthew as a character had so much potential! He could have been so good. But alas it was not meant to be. James and Matthew's friendship was butchered. They spent the whole book and the series fighting about Cordelia. Jem and Will would never do this. They must be so ashamed.
As I've mentioned in my review of the 2nd book, Cordelia is the blandest character ever. She is the same in this book. Also, she has become so whiny. She kept complaining about everything.
Why do Lucie and Cordelia become parabatai? They barely know each other and spent the whole book fighting.
I'll admit that Alastair grew a lot on me. I hated him in the previous books. But his character development and his romance with Thomas were done very well.
The villains were extremely one-dimensional and stupid.
The action in the last half was very predictable.
This book might not be as terrible as the previous book, but it was still a terrible mess.
Pre-release thoughts-
I hope that James gets a happy ending. He deserves better.
I also want Matthew to get a happy ending but tbh, I don't he will get one.
I hope this is not tedious and stupid like the previous book. Please don't be a soap opera.
February 7, 2023
the end of an era has never felt so bittersweet.
this really wasn’t the ending i expected at all. i can fully admit that im slightly underwhelmed by the conclusion too, it didn’t pack quite the punch i anticipated. i expected more intensity than we got. i really expected something more gut-wrenching that would leave me in tears, TID style, but im left feeling a lil emotionless. im trying to convince myself i loved this more than i did 😭😭
but... did my endgame survive? yes, they did, thank fuck. there is one silver lining. Cassie Clare books will always be my kryptonite so take my rating with a pinch of salt, okay?
rtc maybe. in the mean time enjoy my favourite, most beautifully poetic earth-shattering jaw-dropping astronomical quote from the entire book:
Thomstairs canonically sharing one brain cell i know that’s right<3 soulmatism at its finest.
this really wasn’t the ending i expected at all. i can fully admit that im slightly underwhelmed by the conclusion too, it didn’t pack quite the punch i anticipated. i expected more intensity than we got. i really expected something more gut-wrenching that would leave me in tears, TID style, but im left feeling a lil emotionless. im trying to convince myself i loved this more than i did 😭😭
but... did my endgame survive? yes, they did, thank fuck. there is one silver lining. Cassie Clare books will always be my kryptonite so take my rating with a pinch of salt, okay?
rtc maybe. in the mean time enjoy my favourite, most beautifully poetic earth-shattering jaw-dropping astronomical quote from the entire book:
Dear Alastair,
why are you so stupid
I brush my teeth
don’t tell anyone
—Thomas
Thomstairs canonically sharing one brain cell i know that’s right<3 soulmatism at its finest.
February 10, 2023
James, Cordelia, Matthew WISH they were Will, Tessa and Jem.
Another pointless love triangle between parabatais except this time no one cares. Seriously, this book felt like thousands of pages long and I can guarantee you Cassie could have ended this within 500 pages if not less.
James is so annoying and dramatic. He figured out the secret of bracelet in the last book and instead of acting like a reasonable person with minimum braincells and tell everyone to sort out this mess he DID THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
I kept waiting and waiting for him to act like someone who was born with a brain but I guess he really showed his demonic bloodline, considering demons aren’t the most intelligent creatures out there.
He didn’t tell anyone about the bracelet for like nearly 500 pages mainly because he was scared people would ✨pity✨ him.
Bro what.
No one pitties you. Certainly not me. I pity the characters who has to bear with you everyday though.
I remember crying over Jordelia imagining the time when they will finally be together for real.
Oh silly little naive me. :')
When Jordelia finally after millions of pages, kissed, I'm like "cute, anyways"
If James got nominated for being an annoying character, Cordelia would take the award.
Give me ONE solid reason why I should give a fuck about her? I kept screaming from page one she could have killed Belial with Lilith's help and end this drama within 10 page. But she didn’t. Her reasoning never made any sense to me since this is exactly what she did 700 pages later. And it wasn’t even annoying at that point, it was funny.
Matthew, the only guy I liked before the Chain Of Iron disaster, somehow Cassie ruined his character in this book too. He had absolutely no job throughout the whole story. I'm assuming the only reason why he was present in this book was to show us how he can overcome his alcohol addiction. It would have been a great side plot if I cared. Which I did not.
Lucie and Cordelia kept secrets after secrets yet they are gonna be parabatai I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
We have read the understanding between Jem and Will, Clary and Simon and then CC chose to write this?? I like Lucie, but this isn't a parabatai bonding.
One of them will find out the other kept a secret from them in like every couple of chapter, the amount of time I rolled my eyes I nearly saw the whole Milky Way Galaxy.
Lucie and Jesse were absolutely dry.
In their defence, they weren’t much entertaining since the first chapter of Chain of Gold so not much complain there.
The only two characters I actually loved was Grace and Christopher. Controversial, I know. Grace could have been such a deptful mysterious character but unfortunately Cassie didn’t give a shit about her. Grace and Kit had probably the best chemistry in this whole series. I waited for their moments cause they are the only one who actually showed signs of having a brain.
But guess what? Cassie fucked this up too. Murdering Kit was probably the most unnecessary thing in the history of unnecessary thing. More worthless than my Sociology assignment and that's really saying something.
The death was sooooo lazy. Kit deserves so much better. I tried really hard but there were no tears. And this is probably the first death Cassie wrote that left me dry. I'm sure we will find a better death scene in wattpad if we look for it enough. I'm just so mad at this book I want to rate it 1 star now.
WHY. Seriously, why.
Tomstair had their fair share of cute moments. Let's say they saved the romance. Since there wasn’t any other plot except for drama. Belial was really on vacation for 80% of the book.
Even Anna couldn’t shine here. Which is the disappointment of the century cause I LOVE Lightwood girls.
All I can say is 2 years of waiting was NOT worth it.
Another pointless love triangle between parabatais except this time no one cares. Seriously, this book felt like thousands of pages long and I can guarantee you Cassie could have ended this within 500 pages if not less.
James is so annoying and dramatic. He figured out the secret of bracelet in the last book and instead of acting like a reasonable person with minimum braincells and tell everyone to sort out this mess he DID THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
I kept waiting and waiting for him to act like someone who was born with a brain but I guess he really showed his demonic bloodline, considering demons aren’t the most intelligent creatures out there.
He didn’t tell anyone about the bracelet for like nearly 500 pages mainly because he was scared people would ✨pity✨ him.
Bro what.
No one pitties you. Certainly not me. I pity the characters who has to bear with you everyday though.
I remember crying over Jordelia imagining the time when they will finally be together for real.
Oh silly little naive me. :')
When Jordelia finally after millions of pages, kissed, I'm like "cute, anyways"
If James got nominated for being an annoying character, Cordelia would take the award.
Give me ONE solid reason why I should give a fuck about her? I kept screaming from page one she could have killed Belial with Lilith's help and end this drama within 10 page. But she didn’t. Her reasoning never made any sense to me since this is exactly what she did 700 pages later. And it wasn’t even annoying at that point, it was funny.
Matthew, the only guy I liked before the Chain Of Iron disaster, somehow Cassie ruined his character in this book too. He had absolutely no job throughout the whole story. I'm assuming the only reason why he was present in this book was to show us how he can overcome his alcohol addiction. It would have been a great side plot if I cared. Which I did not.
Lucie and Cordelia kept secrets after secrets yet they are gonna be parabatai I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
We have read the understanding between Jem and Will, Clary and Simon and then CC chose to write this?? I like Lucie, but this isn't a parabatai bonding.
One of them will find out the other kept a secret from them in like every couple of chapter, the amount of time I rolled my eyes I nearly saw the whole Milky Way Galaxy.
Lucie and Jesse were absolutely dry.
In their defence, they weren’t much entertaining since the first chapter of Chain of Gold so not much complain there.
The only two characters I actually loved was Grace and Christopher. Controversial, I know. Grace could have been such a deptful mysterious character but unfortunately Cassie didn’t give a shit about her. Grace and Kit had probably the best chemistry in this whole series. I waited for their moments cause they are the only one who actually showed signs of having a brain.
But guess what? Cassie fucked this up too. Murdering Kit was probably the most unnecessary thing in the history of unnecessary thing. More worthless than my Sociology assignment and that's really saying something.
The death was sooooo lazy. Kit deserves so much better. I tried really hard but there were no tears. And this is probably the first death Cassie wrote that left me dry. I'm sure we will find a better death scene in wattpad if we look for it enough. I'm just so mad at this book I want to rate it 1 star now.
WHY. Seriously, why.
Tomstair had their fair share of cute moments. Let's say they saved the romance. Since there wasn’t any other plot except for drama. Belial was really on vacation for 80% of the book.
Even Anna couldn’t shine here. Which is the disappointment of the century cause I LOVE Lightwood girls.
All I can say is 2 years of waiting was NOT worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2023
I love Matthew so much Alexa play this is me trying by taylor swift
February 3, 2023
i firmly believe that the last hours will go down in history as cc’s best shadowhunter series (yeah i said what i said) and these characters will remain some of her most iconic.
cordelia and alastair carstairs will specifically live in my heart for years to come. every moment they spoke in farsi, every reference to persian poetry, and every instance of tenderness between them hit me right in the chest. their individual development and their sibling bond was some of cc’s best character writing i’ve seen yet. also, if jordelia doesn’t rank within your top three shadowhunter ships then idk what to tell you, you’re just wrong.
this book wasn’t without its flaws and hiccups. there were times when scenes would be cut off too quickly and i wish that certain plots had been resolved earlier than they had. however, my emotional investment in these characters and my unwavering desire to see them get their deserved happiness won out. and all in all, this ending was so much happier than i thought it would be and i’m very grateful for that.
i want to LIVE in that epilogue and i pray that cassie continues to churn out short stories featuring these kiddos because i refuse to accept that this is the final goodbye. i’m really going to miss my family.
cordelia and alastair carstairs will specifically live in my heart for years to come. every moment they spoke in farsi, every reference to persian poetry, and every instance of tenderness between them hit me right in the chest. their individual development and their sibling bond was some of cc’s best character writing i’ve seen yet. also, if jordelia doesn’t rank within your top three shadowhunter ships then idk what to tell you, you’re just wrong.
this book wasn’t without its flaws and hiccups. there were times when scenes would be cut off too quickly and i wish that certain plots had been resolved earlier than they had. however, my emotional investment in these characters and my unwavering desire to see them get their deserved happiness won out. and all in all, this ending was so much happier than i thought it would be and i’m very grateful for that.
i want to LIVE in that epilogue and i pray that cassie continues to churn out short stories featuring these kiddos because i refuse to accept that this is the final goodbye. i’m really going to miss my family.
June 7, 2023
2,75/5
Trochę rozczarowujące :( Dosłownie każdy wątek już gdzieś był, a to w Diabelskich Maszynach a to w Mrocznych Intrygach. Ile można powielać te same sceny z innymi bohaterami…
Spokojnie mogłaby być o 500 stron krótsza, bo przez pierwszą połowę mamy hiszpańską telenowelę.
Trochę rozczarowujące :( Dosłownie każdy wątek już gdzieś był, a to w Diabelskich Maszynach a to w Mrocznych Intrygach. Ile można powielać te same sceny z innymi bohaterami…
Spokojnie mogłaby być o 500 stron krótsza, bo przez pierwszą połowę mamy hiszpańską telenowelę.
Want to read
April 13, 2013I actually like Infernal Devices but this is getting ridiculous.
April 23, 2023
1 out of 5 stars.
My reviews of 'The Last Hours' trilogy:
- Chain of Gold: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Chain of Iron: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Chain of Thorns: ⭐
Warning! This review will include spoilers for the entire 'The Last Hours' trilogy.
My short review for this book: ''It is so bad, that I wanted to give you a zero. But that's not possible, so I give you a one.''
My full-length review:
I wanted to write a longer review, but it would have just ended up me ranting and speaking out about my dissatisfactions with this book, so I kept as short as I could.
I'm finally posting my review for Chain of Thorns two months after reading it. It also feels strange, because it was been too long since I posted a real long review here on Goodreads.
Anyhow, I wanted to to post my review as soon as I finished the book, but I was very underwhelmed by everything that happened and because I was utterly disappointed by this book it put me in all kinds of slumps, and I guess I was still grieving of how awful this book has turned out to be.
Halfway through my reading process I knew giving this book four stars and above was already a lost cause because it focused too much on the most dull, anticlimactic and pretentious love triangle that the important storylines were already forgotten.
I was initially going to rate this book 2 stars, but according to Goodreads giving a book 2 stars means that you find the book alright or acceptable. however, that was mot the case for me. The more I thought about everything that happened in the book the more issues and problems I was finding in it, therefore, my final rating of this book became 1 star. Which was very heart-breaking for me to do, since the first two books easily became one of my favorite books I've ever read, and I was already connected with all of the characters and head over heels with the storylines.
Forgotten promises: I remember very clearly Cassie mentioned that we are going to learn the name of the Blackthorn sword.
Also, around a year ago a few snippets from the book along with dialogues were revealed, however some of them weren't found in the book, which I found it oddly confusing.
What I disliked in this book:
Forgiving one another happened too easily, and without the problems being properly solved or the issues discussed about.
The parents of this trilogy's cast were barely in this book, not that I wanted them to steal their children's spotlight or the book be entirely focused on them, but they were barely present in their children's lives or either helping or giving them guidance.
The runes Jesse gained by Belials killings- why wasn’t there a single page time for the rune stripping.
Whatever were Grace, Jesse and Lucie's plans in the epilogue, because it wasn't officially talked about. Every other character had said out loud what they were going to do in the future, except these three.
What was I looking forward to the most in this book, but been let down because that it did not happen:
Not being there a chapter where Jesse met his relatives for the first time. In the Penultimate hours, there were short stories in which Gabriel and/or Gideon had been wishing and wanting to meet they nephew and even their niece, but never permitted to. And in this book we have this great opportunity to finally witness it, but alas, it never happened.
There not being any scene where James and Cordelia played chess.
Anna’s 180 degree change of personality.
Why on earth were the Herondale siblings the only ones who had parabatais and not the others.
Thecursed love triangle:
The love triangle between Cordelia, James and Matthew is as we readers know was one of the major plots in this book, but to me it felt extremely forced. I know Cassie wanted to make it into something as great and unforgettable as the love triangle in the Infernal Devices, but this one will never come close to it, not even a little bit. Every single moment Matthew and Cordelia had shared together along made me feel icky, and they felt very fabricated.
This may not make much sense to everyone, but in my opinion it would have been much better if there was a two love triangles involved in this book: one being between James Cordelia and Grace. And the other one between Lucie, Matthew and Jesse.
The family tree:
Aside all the negativity that this book had been, I want to include this because I guessed it right from the first minute and it made me glad: A day before the release of this book Cassie said that the last word of this book is ''ran'', I thought I was being too hopeful for thinking something like it and at that time I wasn't yet disenchanted with the book. I actually thought that the word ''ran'' would be associated with Cordelia and James together as real husband and wife running hand in hand into the field of meadows, and when a very similar scene actually happened in the book I became for a very brief moment happy and satisfied, but of course that did not change for how I felt for this book as an overall.
If in the future I ever want to re-visit the specific period of the Shadowhunters world I will gladly reread both Chain of Gold and Chain of Irons, but not Chain of Thorns. #sorrynotsorry
Buddy read with my Parabatai.
***************************************************
I don't think I've ever been this much excited by a cover reveal as I am for 'Chain of Thorns' . I wanted Grace to be on the cover of the last book since before book 2 came out!
While I'm really happy with the cover I think it would have been much better if it was a bit grey-ish or at least Grace's dress were grey, overall it's very beautiful.
One more thing I have to say(for now) is that I thought this was going to be Cassie's longest book (her words), but it says that it's only going to be 750-something pages.
********************************************************
NONONONONONONONONO
I can't handle any more book delays . This book was supposed to have already came out, then it got postponed for another 8 months which was fine with me, as long as it comes out the same year as it was originally planned. Now it's ''coming out'' in 2023??
*************************
My thoughts on the releases's postponing:
- This book is being pushed way back due to COVID.
- It's going to come out in November instead of March.
- I'm going to be quarter century old when this book comes out.
- At least it's still coming out in 2022.
*******************************************************
Now that I have finished reading Chain of Iron(I still haven't recovered from the last chapter),
here's what I'm predicting/want to happen in Chain of Thorns:
Warning: If you haven't read Chain of Iron and don't want to spoil youself, please don't read any further:
What I want to happen in Chain of Thorns:
- I've said this again and I'm going to say it again: I WANT GRACE TO BE ON THE COVER OF CHAIN OF THORNS!
- Cordelia and Lucie to finally be able to become Parabatais.
- Chapter(s) from Matthew's point of view.
- Matthew to be able to forgive himself and find happiness on his own.
- James and Cordelia to reconcile, become endgame and have a year long Honeymoon travelling aroud the world.
- Charles becoming more decent person.
- A Jesse POV
- I know this is only a wishful thinking: Grace and Jesse to become Parabatais.
What I'm afraid is going to happen in Chain of Thorns:
- At least one main character is going to die. Whether that person is going to be from an older generation of Shadowhunters or newer I'm not sure.Maybe from both?
- I've seem some posts/theories a long time ago about characters getting their marks stripped; Here are my theories on who that person is going to be:
1) Grace: Because of her manipulative powers over men.
2) Lucie: Because of her necromantic powers.
3) Jesse: How ''he'' murdered Shadowhunters and stole a rune from each.
4) Matthew: The clave/enclave is going to find out what he did years ago aka in 'Cast Long Shadows'.
**************************************************************
My thoughts on who would be on the cover of Chain of Thorns:
I know we still have 1 week till Chain of Iron comes out (I'm still not ready yet😭😭) and maybe after reading it I'll be more certain who indeed could be on the cover. While I'm 90% sure James would be on the cover, imagine how cool it would be if Grace were on the cover.
We will have these three superiorly badass girls on The Last Hours trilogy.
Imagine the looks they'll serve.😩😩 Ugh, I want that to happen so bad.
My reviews of 'The Last Hours' trilogy:
- Chain of Gold: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Chain of Iron: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Chain of Thorns: ⭐
Warning! This review will include spoilers for the entire 'The Last Hours' trilogy.
My short review for this book: ''It is so bad, that I wanted to give you a zero. But that's not possible, so I give you a one.''
My full-length review:
I wanted to write a longer review, but it would have just ended up me ranting and speaking out about my dissatisfactions with this book, so I kept as short as I could.
I'm finally posting my review for Chain of Thorns two months after reading it. It also feels strange, because it was been too long since I posted a real long review here on Goodreads.
Anyhow, I wanted to to post my review as soon as I finished the book, but I was very underwhelmed by everything that happened and because I was utterly disappointed by this book it put me in all kinds of slumps, and I guess I was still grieving of how awful this book has turned out to be.
Halfway through my reading process I knew giving this book four stars and above was already a lost cause because it focused too much on the most dull, anticlimactic and pretentious love triangle that the important storylines were already forgotten.
I was initially going to rate this book 2 stars, but according to Goodreads giving a book 2 stars means that you find the book alright or acceptable. however, that was mot the case for me. The more I thought about everything that happened in the book the more issues and problems I was finding in it, therefore, my final rating of this book became 1 star. Which was very heart-breaking for me to do, since the first two books easily became one of my favorite books I've ever read, and I was already connected with all of the characters and head over heels with the storylines.
Forgotten promises: I remember very clearly Cassie mentioned that we are going to learn the name of the Blackthorn sword.
Also, around a year ago a few snippets from the book along with dialogues were revealed, however some of them weren't found in the book, which I found it oddly confusing.
What I disliked in this book:
Forgiving one another happened too easily, and without the problems being properly solved or the issues discussed about.
The parents of this trilogy's cast were barely in this book, not that I wanted them to steal their children's spotlight or the book be entirely focused on them, but they were barely present in their children's lives or either helping or giving them guidance.
The runes Jesse gained by Belials killings- why wasn’t there a single page time for the rune stripping.
Whatever were Grace, Jesse and Lucie's plans in the epilogue, because it wasn't officially talked about. Every other character had said out loud what they were going to do in the future, except these three.
What was I looking forward to the most in this book, but been let down because that it did not happen:
Not being there a chapter where Jesse met his relatives for the first time. In the Penultimate hours, there were short stories in which Gabriel and/or Gideon had been wishing and wanting to meet they nephew and even their niece, but never permitted to. And in this book we have this great opportunity to finally witness it, but alas, it never happened.
There not being any scene where James and Cordelia played chess.
Anna’s 180 degree change of personality.
Why on earth were the Herondale siblings the only ones who had parabatais and not the others.
The
The love triangle between Cordelia, James and Matthew is as we readers know was one of the major plots in this book, but to me it felt extremely forced. I know Cassie wanted to make it into something as great and unforgettable as the love triangle in the Infernal Devices, but this one will never come close to it, not even a little bit. Every single moment Matthew and Cordelia had shared together along made me feel icky, and they felt very fabricated.
This may not make much sense to everyone, but in my opinion it would have been much better if there was a two love triangles involved in this book: one being between James Cordelia and Grace. And the other one between Lucie, Matthew and Jesse.
The family tree:
Aside all the negativity that this book had been, I want to include this because I guessed it right from the first minute and it made me glad: A day before the release of this book Cassie said that the last word of this book is ''ran'', I thought I was being too hopeful for thinking something like it and at that time I wasn't yet disenchanted with the book. I actually thought that the word ''ran'' would be associated with Cordelia and James together as real husband and wife running hand in hand into the field of meadows, and when a very similar scene actually happened in the book I became for a very brief moment happy and satisfied, but of course that did not change for how I felt for this book as an overall.
If in the future I ever want to re-visit the specific period of the Shadowhunters world I will gladly reread both Chain of Gold and Chain of Irons, but not Chain of Thorns. #sorrynotsorry
Buddy read with my Parabatai.
***************************************************
I don't think I've ever been this much excited by a cover reveal as I am for 'Chain of Thorns' . I wanted Grace to be on the cover of the last book since before book 2 came out!
While I'm really happy with the cover I think it would have been much better if it was a bit grey-ish or at least Grace's dress were grey, overall it's very beautiful.
One more thing I have to say
********************************************************
NONONONONONONONONO
I can't handle any more book delays . This book was supposed to have already came out, then it got postponed for another 8 months which was fine with me, as long as it comes out the same year as it was originally planned. Now it's ''coming out'' in 2023??
*************************
My thoughts on the releases's postponing:
- This book is being pushed way back due to COVID.
- It's going to come out in November instead of March.
- I'm going to be quarter century old when this book comes out.
- At least it's still coming out in 2022.
*******************************************************
Now that I have finished reading Chain of Iron
Warning: If you haven't read Chain of Iron and don't want to spoil youself, please don't read any further:
What I want to happen in Chain of Thorns:
- I've said this again and I'm going to say it again: I WANT GRACE TO BE ON THE COVER OF CHAIN OF THORNS!
- Cordelia and Lucie to finally be able to become Parabatais.
- Chapter(s) from Matthew's point of view.
- Matthew to be able to forgive himself and find happiness on his own.
- James and Cordelia to reconcile, become endgame and have a year long Honeymoon travelling aroud the world.
- Charles becoming more decent person.
- A Jesse POV
- I know this is only a wishful thinking: Grace and Jesse to become Parabatais.
What I'm afraid is going to happen in Chain of Thorns:
- At least one main character is going to die. Whether that person is going to be from an older generation of Shadowhunters or newer I'm not sure.
- I've seem some posts/theories a long time ago about characters getting their marks stripped; Here are my theories on who that person is going to be:
1) Grace: Because of her manipulative powers over men.
2) Lucie: Because of her necromantic powers.
3) Jesse: How ''he'' murdered Shadowhunters and stole a rune from each.
4) Matthew: The clave/enclave is going to find out what he did years ago aka in 'Cast Long Shadows'.
**************************************************************
My thoughts on who would be on the cover of Chain of Thorns:
I know we still have 1 week till Chain of Iron comes out (I'm still not ready yet😭😭) and maybe after reading it I'll be more certain who indeed could be on the cover. While I'm 90% sure James would be on the cover, imagine how cool it would be if Grace were on the cover.
We will have these three superiorly badass girls on The Last Hours trilogy.
Imagine the looks they'll serve.😩😩 Ugh, I want that to happen so bad.
April 30, 2023
why are we as a society still entertaining this woman's madness
February 4, 2023
"I have always thought everyone deserves a second chance. We are each given only one life. We cannot get another one. We must live with the mistakes we have made."
March 5, 2023
felt like a 3 but will most definitely be reducing it later 🤞🏽 this book is the equivalent of a crime being committed without justice being served
i stand with you bff 🫶🏽
—————————
will probably be reading twp in a retirement home at this point.
» chain of gold | ★★★★★
» chain of iron | ★★★★☆
i stand with you bff 🫶🏽
—————————
will probably be reading twp in a retirement home at this point.
» chain of gold | ★★★★★
» chain of iron | ★★★★☆
February 10, 2023
complete review :))
https://youtu.be/XKg6shQc_Cs
guess who ruined their sleeping schedule again for this book? ME . i had high hopes when i started reading this book and tbh im disappointed. i hated how all the characters sucked at communicating, this book would've ended within 450-500 pages if only the characters knew how to fucking talk. i am not saying i hated it, I LIKED IT but the plot was nothing extraordinary as i had anticipated.
Personally, I think Alastair is the one with the most character development in this book and i loved every bit of it.
Also the love triangle was so unnecessary and i hated it. trust me nobody needed another love triangle.
This book might not be as good as the previous books but overall, i still liked it
prerelease thoughts
I DONT CARE WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK BUT IF MATTHEW FAIRCHILD DOESNT GET A HAPPY ENDING THEN I WILL NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER SHADOWHUNTER BOOK AGAINNN!!!!!!!!!!!
https://youtu.be/XKg6shQc_Cs
guess who ruined their sleeping schedule again for this book? ME . i had high hopes when i started reading this book and tbh im disappointed. i hated how all the characters sucked at communicating, this book would've ended within 450-500 pages if only the characters knew how to fucking talk. i am not saying i hated it, I LIKED IT but the plot was nothing extraordinary as i had anticipated.
Personally, I think Alastair is the one with the most character development in this book and i loved every bit of it.
Also the love triangle was so unnecessary and i hated it. trust me nobody needed another love triangle.
This book might not be as good as the previous books but overall, i still liked it
prerelease thoughts
I DONT CARE WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK BUT IF MATTHEW FAIRCHILD DOESNT GET A HAPPY ENDING THEN I WILL NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER SHADOWHUNTER BOOK AGAINNN!!!!!!!!!!!
Want to read
June 7, 2022And the waiting begins.
I need Christopher, Grace, James, Thomas, Alastair, Cordelia, and Lucie to all be 100% happy, okay?
Also, so not ready for the emotional torture I’m going to go through 🥺
Chain of Gold ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Chain of Iron ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I need Christopher, Grace, James, Thomas, Alastair, Cordelia, and Lucie to all be 100% happy, okay?
Also, so not ready for the emotional torture I’m going to go through 🥺
Chain of Gold ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Chain of Iron ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Currently reading
September 8, 2022[september 8th, 2022]
I NEED TO BE SEDATED
[july 29th, 2022]
i was found dead.
[june 10th, 2022]
OMFG
KAZUJSJUXJSJSHXJSJSIXUJZJSJXJXHJSKWKSIDUJSSISJSJS
THIS SNIPPET IS NOW MY NEW ENTIRE PERSONALITY, IT’S ALL I’LL BE THIKING ABOUT FOR NEXT MONTHS
istg thomastair better have a happy ending 🥰🔪
cuz i’ll be suing if not 🥰🔪
[may 19th, 2022]
THE COVER>>>
SUCH A SLAY.
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL I CANT-
🛐😭
also, JAMES IS FOLLOWING CORDELIA AND MATTHEW TO PARIS?!?!??? HELP
plus lucy is entering her “dark” era???!!? 💀😭🧍♀️
[may 3rd, 2022]
THE SYNOPSIS JUST DROPPED AND IM NOT DOIN OKAY RN😃
we are not gonna survive 😃
[april 27th, 2022] i wanna die 😃
now it’s coming out on january 31st from 2023 🤡
i’m evaporating from existence rn🧍♀️🤠
——————————————————
WE GOT A THOMASTAIR SNIPPET THO!!!!!KAHSHZJKSSJHXHZUSJSJHDJSJHE
SCREAMING CRYING AND THROWING UP RN AJSHSHHS
they are literally endgame. 🥰🔪
[july 21st, 2021] god, it's brutal out here 🗿
the release date has me dying, how am i supposed to survive until november 1st from 2022? what am i supposed to do with my existence until then?😭 help-
[january 2nd, 2022] i’m losing it🧍♀️
i can’t wait for november to finally come😭 i apologize for the person i’ll become when CoT is out. that book will end me and i will never recover.
[january 24th, 2022]
so cassie just released a snippet of chain of thorns and i’m literally sobbing
i love him so much 😔✋
maybe matthew IS gonna be okay, and they all will be happy at the end (manifesting✨🕯✨🕯) (i love clowning and delusion tho🤸♀️🤠)
[february 14th, 2022] 🧍♀️
I LITERALLY DROPPED MY PHONE WHEN I SAW THIS😭
OMFG 😭 HELP, I WAS NOT READY JANXHZHJAAKIXHSJA
i-
alastair be like: 🧍♂️
"Alastair, you are the last person—”
“Do you realize we’re under the mistletoe?” Alastair said, his dark eyes sparking with mischief. Thomas glanced up. It was true; someone had hung a bunch of the waxy white berries from a hook in the wall overhead."
I NEED TO BE SEDATED
[july 29th, 2022]
“For so long, as a ghost, you were the only one I could touch. And now I am alive, and you are the only one I cannot.”
i was found dead.
[june 10th, 2022]
Matthew's eyes were a very dark green as he looked as Thomas. “You love him?”
“More than anything,” Thomas said. “It’s just —
OMFG
KAZUJSJUXJSJSHXJSJSIXUJZJSJXJXHJSKWKSIDUJSSISJSJS
THIS SNIPPET IS NOW MY NEW ENTIRE PERSONALITY, IT’S ALL I’LL BE THIKING ABOUT FOR NEXT MONTHS
istg thomastair better have a happy ending 🥰🔪
cuz i’ll be suing if not 🥰🔪
[may 19th, 2022]
THE COVER>>>
SUCH A SLAY.
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL I CANT-
🛐😭
also, JAMES IS FOLLOWING CORDELIA AND MATTHEW TO PARIS?!?!??? HELP
plus lucy is entering her “dark” era???!!? 💀😭🧍♀️
[may 3rd, 2022]
THE SYNOPSIS JUST DROPPED AND IM NOT DOIN OKAY RN😃
Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew.
we are not gonna survive 😃
[april 27th, 2022] i wanna die 😃
now it’s coming out on january 31st from 2023 🤡
i’m evaporating from existence rn🧍♀️🤠
——————————————————
WE GOT A THOMASTAIR SNIPPET THO!!!!!KAHSHZJKSSJHXHZUSJSJHDJSJHE
"Dear Alastair, why are you so stupid and so frustrating, and why do I think about you all the time?"
SCREAMING CRYING AND THROWING UP RN AJSHSHHS
they are literally endgame. 🥰🔪
[july 21st, 2021] god, it's brutal out here 🗿
the release date has me dying, how am i supposed to survive until november 1st from 2022? what am i supposed to do with my existence until then?😭 help-
[january 2nd, 2022] i’m losing it🧍♀️
i can’t wait for november to finally come😭 i apologize for the person i’ll become when CoT is out. that book will end me and i will never recover.
[january 24th, 2022]
so cassie just released a snippet of chain of thorns and i’m literally sobbing
“We are not here just to forget,” Matthew said, “but also to remember, that there are good and beautiful things in this world, always. And mistakes do not take them from us; nothing takes them from us. They are eternal.”
i love him so much 😔✋
maybe matthew IS gonna be okay, and they all will be happy at the end (manifesting✨🕯✨🕯) (i love clowning and delusion tho🤸♀️🤠)
[february 14th, 2022] 🧍♀️
“Don’t just stand there, Alastair,” said Matthew. “Thomas needs you.”
I LITERALLY DROPPED MY PHONE WHEN I SAW THIS😭
OMFG 😭 HELP, I WAS NOT READY JANXHZHJAAKIXHSJA
i-
alastair be like: 🧍♂️
Shelved as 'not-released-yet-tbr'
May 20, 2022
20/5/2022
: We got a cover! And it's so pretty! I am very excited for this book to release.
...........................................
~ My Chain of Thorns Predictions ~
(I might have less space for my review now, but never mind)
🚨 SPOILER ALERT FOR Chain of Gold AND Chain of Iron 🚨
1. Lucie and Cordelia won’t be parabati
In Chain of Iron, we saw Lucie and Cordelia drifting apart and I can’t see them being parabati anymore. I don’t think they’ll find another parabati either.
2. James and Cordelia will end up together
I’m positive Jordelia will be endgame. They clearly love each other, and are already married. There will definitely be a lot of angst in their relationship, but I think they’ll eventually have that conversation and sort things through. I also feel that everyone will discover that their marriage was a sham.
3. Mathew will either die, or have his runes striped
As much as it hurts me to say this, I don’t think all the characters will get a happy ending. I have a feeling that Mathew is going to die, maybe in an attempt to save everyone else.
4. Lucie will have a negative character arc
I loved Lucie in Chain of Gold, but I was very disappointed with her arc in Chain of Iron. Lucie clearly prioritises Jesse over everything else, and I feel her arc will be negative.
5. Grace will properly face her mother
I loved the scene in chain of Iron where Grace confronts her mother and I’m predicting we see her have a proper face off.
6. Mathew might be in love with James
I never saw any chemistry between Mathew and Cordelia, and so I feel that Mathew is in love with James.
7. Jesse will be a villain
I found Jesse to be a very bland character and I think that he is manipulating everyone and using them, especially Lucie. Excited to see how his arc plays out.
8. Grace and Christopher, Thomas and Alastair and Anna and Ariadne will mostly end up together
I just feel they will.
9. Sona will die
I feel Sona is either going to die due to some reason and her baby will be brought up by Alastair.
10. Mathew’s secret will be out
I think that everyone will eventually find about Mathew’s secret, or Mathew will tell about it himself.
If I have more predictions, I’ll add them here! Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts. :)
My ratings and reviews for other books in this series-
Chain of Gold- 3.75 stars
Chain of Iron- 4 stars
…………………………………………………………………
Update- 30th April 2021
And now that I have read and reviewed Chain of Iron, time for some predictions! I will write them soon. :)
……………………………………………………………………
Update-27th Feb 2021
I am writing a review and waiting for this book, even though chain of iron isn’t out yet because why not? This is getting published in 2022. We have to wait for a year.😭
...........................................
~ My Chain of Thorns Predictions ~
(I might have less space for my review now, but never mind)
🚨 SPOILER ALERT FOR Chain of Gold AND Chain of Iron 🚨
1. Lucie and Cordelia won’t be parabati
In Chain of Iron, we saw Lucie and Cordelia drifting apart and I can’t see them being parabati anymore. I don’t think they’ll find another parabati either.
2. James and Cordelia will end up together
I’m positive Jordelia will be endgame. They clearly love each other, and are already married. There will definitely be a lot of angst in their relationship, but I think they’ll eventually have that conversation and sort things through. I also feel that everyone will discover that their marriage was a sham.
3. Mathew will either die, or have his runes striped
As much as it hurts me to say this, I don’t think all the characters will get a happy ending. I have a feeling that Mathew is going to die, maybe in an attempt to save everyone else.
4. Lucie will have a negative character arc
I loved Lucie in Chain of Gold, but I was very disappointed with her arc in Chain of Iron. Lucie clearly prioritises Jesse over everything else, and I feel her arc will be negative.
5. Grace will properly face her mother
I loved the scene in chain of Iron where Grace confronts her mother and I’m predicting we see her have a proper face off.
6. Mathew might be in love with James
I never saw any chemistry between Mathew and Cordelia, and so I feel that Mathew is in love with James.
7. Jesse will be a villain
I found Jesse to be a very bland character and I think that he is manipulating everyone and using them, especially Lucie. Excited to see how his arc plays out.
8. Grace and Christopher, Thomas and Alastair and Anna and Ariadne will mostly end up together
I just feel they will.
9. Sona will die
I feel Sona is either going to die due to some reason and her baby will be brought up by Alastair.
10. Mathew’s secret will be out
I think that everyone will eventually find about Mathew’s secret, or Mathew will tell about it himself.
If I have more predictions, I’ll add them here! Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts. :)
My ratings and reviews for other books in this series-
Chain of Gold- 3.75 stars
Chain of Iron- 4 stars
…………………………………………………………………
Update- 30th April 2021
And now that I have read and reviewed Chain of Iron, time for some predictions! I will write them soon. :)
……………………………………………………………………
Update-27th Feb 2021
I am writing a review and waiting for this book, even though chain of iron isn’t out yet because why not? This is getting published in 2022. We have to wait for a year.😭
May 27, 2023
The bitter taste of disappointment…
”Our failings are always more monstrous in our own eyes than any others’; in the eyes of those who love us, we are forgiven.”
I’m not even sure what to say, I’ve waited 2 years for this book just for it to end up being one of my most disappointing reads ever. I’ve been reading Cassie’s books since I was 12, and this was the weakest book I’ve read from her. Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron are two of my favourite books ever, and before this one was released, I considered The Last Hours as my favourite shadowhunters seriesThe Dark Artifices rightfully reclaims its place as my favourite. With this finale, I can barely consider it my 2nd favourite. On a more honest note, this novel is rated 3 stars purely because of nostalgic reasons. If it weren’t for the fact that it’s a shadowhunters book or that it was written by Cassandra Clare, it would have been a 2 star at most. And that if I was feeling generous.
After the events of Chain of Iron Cordelia feels as if she lost everything that mattered to her. Her father, the chance of being parabatai with Lucie, and her marriage with James. To make matters worse, she is now Lilith’s paladin, bound to do her bidding with any weapon she raises. And what’s the best way to deal with all this, you might ask? Run away to Paris with Matthew, hoping that the city’s wild nightlife will solve both their problems. But reality crashes down on them once Tatiana escapes the Adamant Citadel, and everyone they love is once again under threat by Belial. And, of course, more chaos ensues from there.
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.”
This book did not have to be this long. The whole plot was so dragged out just for this book to be nearly 700 pages. We did not need 300 pages of miscommunication or just plain out refusal to talk their problems through. “Oh, I didn’t want to be pitied. I was too proud.” Spare me, it was just an excuse for a longer book. While I’m here for the drama, the first two books were extremely dramatic, and I was here for them. In CoT, the drama was just annoying instead of entertaining. The path that Cassie chose for it with the love triangle and the miscommunication, and even this radical change in some of the characters that went against everything we knew about them before, took away all the enjoyment I felt while reading. I did not like that she felt the need to add those troupes and write the story this way just to keep the plot moving.
Now, the characters. I have no idea what happened, but I couldn’t find myself caring for most of them. It felt like they had just lost the spark they’ve had. I did not feel the same love I used to feel for any of them.
Cordelia annoyed the shit out of me. Fuck being too proud. She is not the same girl we meet in the first book, which is to be expected considering what she’s been through, but I feel like that still doesn’t explain the attitude she’s had throughout more than half the book. Book 1 Cordelia, and even the Cordelia that held Lucie, for god knows how long, at the edge of a cliff, would not have let this distance go in between them. I’m not saying that just Cordelia was at fault here because she wasn’t. Lucie was too. But the way she treated the situation was not something I could fully understand. I could see her side of things and why she was angry, but I could not understand how she let that gap between her and Lucie widen so much.
“I could never hate you, for all my hate is reserved for myself. I have none left over for anyone else."
Then, we have James. It hurt me that he’s been through so much pain. I loved how his trauma was talked about after basically being assaulted by Grace for years. But as much as I loved seeing James slowly come to terms to what had been done to him, we did not need 300 pages for the others to find out, especially if not pushed by some characters, I believe we would still be reading through the miscommunication and the drama of the unnecessary (it you ask me) love triangle. Anyway, it pained me to see how much blame James put on himself. He was 14, for the love of god. Tatiana will hopefully burn in hell for what she did to him (and ofc for the trauma he inflicted on other characters too). Honestly, these scenes with James and his trauma were the only parts where I genuinely felt emotional. The discussion about it felt so raw, but I hate the way it was executed.
This may come off as shocking, but as a ship, I didn’t care much about Jordelia. The scenes they had together lost their appeal. They did not feel as sweet and pure as they used to. I didn’t find myself giggling or feeling giddy because of their interactions. There was something missing in their interaction that I’m not sure I can fully explain. I guess, it could be the fact that in most of their scenes together, they were either kissing or sleeping together. There weren’t any scenes like the ones where they used to play chess or the scene where James gifted Cordelia the globe necklace.
While I didn’t feel the same love I used to, I still really liked Matthew. I loved the discussion about his alcoholism and his recovery journey, but I feel like so much that had happened to him was either glossed over or left as an afterthought. None of it felt fully discussed and we see very little of Matthew actually solving his problems. Everything else about his character felt overshadowed by the love triangle and the feelings he has for Cordelia. We don’t seem to go in depth about anything else. His recovery and healing journey were there but barely (I feel like I know more about it from the Waterstones exclusive letter at the end of the book, that Matthew sent to James than from the actual book). The topic of what happened when he was 15 was barely touched upon. I genuinely wanted to see an in depth discussion between him and his parents about this and we were robbed. Instead of those 300 pages of nothing at the beginning of the book, Cassie should have given us this.
After the second book, Lucie definitely got a redemption arc. Not like she did something bad, with all the secrets she was keeping in CoI, she just felt off to me. I really loved her role in this story, without her everything would have been lost. I loved her interactions with James so much. I feel like in the other books we didn’t really get to see their sibling relationship defined that well since both of them were dealing with different problems and had completely different roles in the plot. But now as all the subplots were starting to come together and intertwine, we finally got to see how much they loved each other and how Lucie will always be there for James as his sister.
”Mine is a complicated story, and people do not want to hear complicated stories. They want simple stories, in which people are either good or evil, and no one good ever makes a mistake, and no one evil ever repents.”
I loved Jesse so much. In the Chain of Iron, at least, I can’t say I felt much about him. He was just there for me. I can’t say I care much about him, but now that he was finally brought back to life, he got a bigger role in the story and we ended up seeing how everything that was happening around him was actually affecting him. From Tatiana’s and Grace’s actions to his relationship with Lucie. I wish there was more focus on him and his own pain, that we would have got to see him navigate being alive again, but sadly Cassie had to focus on the unnecessary drama.
Alastair was my favourite character. From the beginning he was a character I really liked. In my opinion out of all the characters, he is one of the most complex ones and in this one we finally got to see every side of him as he was finally part of the main cast. He had one of the best character developments I’ve ever read about. We first saw him when he was maybe 15(?) in Nothing but Shadow and he had changed so much since then. He learnt how to accept himself for who he is and to be proud of who he is, not being ashamed for being Persian or because of who he loves. I also really loved Alastair’s supporting his sister and their interactions were so wholesome. The moments Cordelia had with him were the only times when I didn’t feel like strangling her. This scene was pure gold:
”Risa muttered as Alastair lifted the trunk and began heaving it up the stairs. “What did you buy in Paris?” he complained. “A Frenchmen?”
“Be quiet, he’s asleep” said Cordelia. “He speaks no English, but he can sing ‘Frere Jacques and he makes excellent crepes suzette.””
Thomas was once again a character I really loved. Honestly Chain of Thorns was a thomastair book and I was living for it. Everything about their relationship made me so happy. They had what I was hoping jordelia would. The scenes they had together made me laugh out loud so many times and I was just giggling and feeling extremely giddy. Both of them were so sweet to each other and the way they expressed their love!! Both of them genuinely make me so happy. THEY DESERVE THE WHOLE WORLD!!!
Christopher on the other hand was a character with so much lost potential. He was such an afterthought and he ended up being overshadowed in so many different situations. He deserved so much better and that’s all I”m gonna say about him for now.
Despite everything she has done, Grace is a character I ended up loving. While I disliked her for obvious reasons before, she grew on me. She was a pawn in Tatiana’s plans and as she had been neglected and abused for most of her life, she felt like she had no choice but to do her bidding. As fucked up as the things that had happened because of her are, she is not the one to blame. At least not fully. She was a child and a victim too, just as much as James was. I hated to see how much of her negative emotions that she feels are directed towards herself. She deserves so much better and she needs to be able to heal too. I honestly believe that we could have focused more on Grace’s story arc too. There’s so much to her character and to her story, that I once again feel like it was criminally overshadowed by other aspects of the plot.
Anna and Ari were just there, I guess. Compared to the previous books Anna’s character felt really bland and just uninteresting. I didn’t feel like she added much to the story, her whole personality was as well as gone. She just didn’t feel like herself. And in Ari’s case, while I liked her self discovery journey, I couldn’t find myself caring for her. I haven’t cared for her before and I didn’t know either.
Another thing I’ve noticed while reading this, is that at times I also felt a certain dislike towards Cassie’s writing, which has never happened before. There were times when it felt repetitive or times when it felt like she was beating around the bush for the sake of longer sentences. I also didn’t like the amount of extra explanations we would see in brackets. The brackets were either not needed and the idea in them could have been written without them being added or most times, they could have just been cut out from the story.
I also need to just rant and ramble about some spoilery bits so just skip this section if you haven’t finished CoT yet.
⚠ ⚠ beginning of spoilers for Chain of Thorns ⚠ ⚠
One thing I wanna say is that this book felt really predictable at times Matthew having not stopped drinking in Paris? Called it immediately after I started reading from his perspective in Paris. He showed no signs of withdrawal and honestly at the time I couldn’t tell if Cassie just got lazy or if I was right. I felt like Cassie used it as a plot twist and just hated it altogether.
I also predicted that Charles was the one being blackmailed by the Inquisitor. What was with that whole mystery?? It was so obvious. There was no other important enough character to be blackmailed and it should have been revealed so much earlier than it had been.
OH MY GOD DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FAMILY TREE the explanation was so stupid. You’re telling me it was just because Esme felt like creating a family tree since she believed some characters that are dead to be alive and vice versa and that she could predict how many kids each ship is gonna have?? Such a bad way to excuse the fact that Cassie just changed her mind about who is gonna live and who is gonna die.
Also somebody please explain this to me. So when Belial took control over London, he basically enslaved all the mundanes and they were affected by his curse of whatever. so , how was Risa still conscious? We know Bridget was an exception since no one tells her what to do”, but nothing was said of Risa. This just doesn’t make sense to me and I have no idea if it’s a plot hole or if I just missed some details.
And finally, we got an explanation as to why Bridget is still alive in TDA and I can’t tell if it’s my dislike for the plot of this book and whatever but really she was just struck by lightning? And extended life span was the consequence? It just feels so stupid.
Since I don’t just want to complain, although the rest of the review will mostly be just me doing exactly that, I just wanna mention this scene that, weeks after actually reading that part, still makes me smile and giggle. I was genuinely crying from laughing when I first read it:
“Dear Alastair,
Why are you so stupid
I brush my teeth
Don’t tell anyone
- Thomas.”
It was just hilarious I’M SORRY BYE
any thomastairs scene tbh>>>
but this one just won at being the best
Anyways, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. To say that I’m mad would be an understatement. Cassie, what the fuck was that death? I don’t think I’ve ever read a worse written death. Not only one second Kit was alive and well, then we switched POV to Lucie who wasn’t there and the next thing we know is that he died. It was supposed to be shocking and sudden ig, but the only thing it felt was unfulfilled and rushed. INSTEAD OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION AND THE DRAMA WE HAD TO SUFFER THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK, CHRISTOPHER COULD HAVE GOTTEN A GOOD DAMN DEATH SCENE, not that shit show that we had to suffer through. Aside from the fact that his death scene was shitty, NO ONE ACTUALLY GRIEVED HIM??? WHAT THE FUCK? The only character that is actually seen grieving is Thomas but even that was just one scene and then it was like the whole grief was gone. In CoG we see Tom carry the grief of Barbara’s death with him, but he didn’t do that for Kit too??? Anna is seen grieving a little but basically the only things we are shown are the scene where Anna stays with his body but we barely focus on that aspect. And then there was the scene where Anna came to Ari’s room and cried, but that didn’t feel like enough?? Especially as aside from those scenes it was like Kit didn’t even die.
Not to mention the lost potential. His death added nothing to the story. It didn’t do anything for the plot. With or without it everything would have happened more or less the same. Why kill him if you’re not gonna even use his death as a plot device? As motivation for the other characters to do something?
AND THE FACT THAT WE WERE ROBBED OF SEEING GRACETOPHER HAPPEN
Kit was so sweet to Grace. I wanted that ship to happen so badly. They worked so well with each other. They had so much chemistry and cassie pulled this shit on us?? SERIOUSLY? DID SHE EVEN FULLY THINK THIS THOUGH?
“She felt the ache inside her like pain, the loss of Christopher. Who had understood her, and not judged her.”
I’m sorry Cassie, but I’ll never forgive you for this
Even though I spoiled myself for this. I know it will be coming. I’ve even heard that it would be a bad scene. I still wasn’t prepared for it. At this point it isn’t even about him being killed off. It’s about how badly the scene was written. He deserved so much better than a half assed attempt. I fully believe that the only reason he was killed was because too many characters were going to survive if he didn’t. His death had absolutely no purpose. NONE.
No one really cried for him. WE WEREN’T EVEN SHOWED CECILY AND GABRIEL’S REACTIONS FFS. We were shown how Cecily reacted to Alexander being kidnapped by Tatiana, BUT NOT THE DEATH OF HER OTHER SON?
Ok i’ll need to stop talking about this because I know I will not stop rambling and ranting about this anytime soon if I continue. There were just too many issues with all this.
⚠ ⚠ ending of spoilers for Chain of Thorns ⚠ ⚠
Well, I’m disappointed and whenever I'll see this book on my shelf I will remember this disappointment, but sometimes things are not meant to be and I was clearly not meant to love this book.
Me not loving this book will definitely be the most shocking thing to happen to me in 2023.
Chain of Gold review
Chain of Iron review
My bookstagram
”Our failings are always more monstrous in our own eyes than any others’; in the eyes of those who love us, we are forgiven.”
I’m not even sure what to say, I’ve waited 2 years for this book just for it to end up being one of my most disappointing reads ever. I’ve been reading Cassie’s books since I was 12, and this was the weakest book I’ve read from her. Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron are two of my favourite books ever, and before this one was released, I considered The Last Hours as my favourite shadowhunters series
After the events of Chain of Iron Cordelia feels as if she lost everything that mattered to her. Her father, the chance of being parabatai with Lucie, and her marriage with James. To make matters worse, she is now Lilith’s paladin, bound to do her bidding with any weapon she raises. And what’s the best way to deal with all this, you might ask? Run away to Paris with Matthew, hoping that the city’s wild nightlife will solve both their problems. But reality crashes down on them once Tatiana escapes the Adamant Citadel, and everyone they love is once again under threat by Belial. And, of course, more chaos ensues from there.
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.”
This book did not have to be this long. The whole plot was so dragged out just for this book to be nearly 700 pages. We did not need 300 pages of miscommunication or just plain out refusal to talk their problems through. “Oh, I didn’t want to be pitied. I was too proud.” Spare me, it was just an excuse for a longer book. While I’m here for the drama, the first two books were extremely dramatic, and I was here for them. In CoT, the drama was just annoying instead of entertaining. The path that Cassie chose for it with the love triangle and the miscommunication, and even this radical change in some of the characters that went against everything we knew about them before, took away all the enjoyment I felt while reading. I did not like that she felt the need to add those troupes and write the story this way just to keep the plot moving.
Now, the characters. I have no idea what happened, but I couldn’t find myself caring for most of them. It felt like they had just lost the spark they’ve had. I did not feel the same love I used to feel for any of them.
Cordelia annoyed the shit out of me. Fuck being too proud. She is not the same girl we meet in the first book, which is to be expected considering what she’s been through, but I feel like that still doesn’t explain the attitude she’s had throughout more than half the book. Book 1 Cordelia, and even the Cordelia that held Lucie, for god knows how long, at the edge of a cliff, would not have let this distance go in between them. I’m not saying that just Cordelia was at fault here because she wasn’t. Lucie was too. But the way she treated the situation was not something I could fully understand. I could see her side of things and why she was angry, but I could not understand how she let that gap between her and Lucie widen so much.
“I could never hate you, for all my hate is reserved for myself. I have none left over for anyone else."
Then, we have James. It hurt me that he’s been through so much pain. I loved how his trauma was talked about after basically being assaulted by Grace for years. But as much as I loved seeing James slowly come to terms to what had been done to him, we did not need 300 pages for the others to find out, especially if not pushed by some characters, I believe we would still be reading through the miscommunication and the drama of the unnecessary (it you ask me) love triangle. Anyway, it pained me to see how much blame James put on himself. He was 14, for the love of god. Tatiana will hopefully burn in hell for what she did to him (and ofc for the trauma he inflicted on other characters too). Honestly, these scenes with James and his trauma were the only parts where I genuinely felt emotional. The discussion about it felt so raw, but I hate the way it was executed.
This may come off as shocking, but as a ship, I didn’t care much about Jordelia. The scenes they had together lost their appeal. They did not feel as sweet and pure as they used to. I didn’t find myself giggling or feeling giddy because of their interactions. There was something missing in their interaction that I’m not sure I can fully explain. I guess, it could be the fact that in most of their scenes together, they were either kissing or sleeping together. There weren’t any scenes like the ones where they used to play chess or the scene where James gifted Cordelia the globe necklace.
While I didn’t feel the same love I used to, I still really liked Matthew. I loved the discussion about his alcoholism and his recovery journey, but I feel like so much that had happened to him was either glossed over or left as an afterthought. None of it felt fully discussed and we see very little of Matthew actually solving his problems. Everything else about his character felt overshadowed by the love triangle and the feelings he has for Cordelia. We don’t seem to go in depth about anything else. His recovery and healing journey were there but barely (I feel like I know more about it from the Waterstones exclusive letter at the end of the book, that Matthew sent to James than from the actual book). The topic of what happened when he was 15 was barely touched upon. I genuinely wanted to see an in depth discussion between him and his parents about this and we were robbed. Instead of those 300 pages of nothing at the beginning of the book, Cassie should have given us this.
After the second book, Lucie definitely got a redemption arc. Not like she did something bad, with all the secrets she was keeping in CoI, she just felt off to me. I really loved her role in this story, without her everything would have been lost. I loved her interactions with James so much. I feel like in the other books we didn’t really get to see their sibling relationship defined that well since both of them were dealing with different problems and had completely different roles in the plot. But now as all the subplots were starting to come together and intertwine, we finally got to see how much they loved each other and how Lucie will always be there for James as his sister.
”Mine is a complicated story, and people do not want to hear complicated stories. They want simple stories, in which people are either good or evil, and no one good ever makes a mistake, and no one evil ever repents.”
I loved Jesse so much. In the Chain of Iron, at least, I can’t say I felt much about him. He was just there for me. I can’t say I care much about him, but now that he was finally brought back to life, he got a bigger role in the story and we ended up seeing how everything that was happening around him was actually affecting him. From Tatiana’s and Grace’s actions to his relationship with Lucie. I wish there was more focus on him and his own pain, that we would have got to see him navigate being alive again, but sadly Cassie had to focus on the unnecessary drama.
Alastair was my favourite character. From the beginning he was a character I really liked. In my opinion out of all the characters, he is one of the most complex ones and in this one we finally got to see every side of him as he was finally part of the main cast. He had one of the best character developments I’ve ever read about. We first saw him when he was maybe 15(?) in Nothing but Shadow and he had changed so much since then. He learnt how to accept himself for who he is and to be proud of who he is, not being ashamed for being Persian or because of who he loves. I also really loved Alastair’s supporting his sister and their interactions were so wholesome. The moments Cordelia had with him were the only times when I didn’t feel like strangling her. This scene was pure gold:
”Risa muttered as Alastair lifted the trunk and began heaving it up the stairs. “What did you buy in Paris?” he complained. “A Frenchmen?”
“Be quiet, he’s asleep” said Cordelia. “He speaks no English, but he can sing ‘Frere Jacques and he makes excellent crepes suzette.””
Thomas was once again a character I really loved. Honestly Chain of Thorns was a thomastair book and I was living for it. Everything about their relationship made me so happy. They had what I was hoping jordelia would. The scenes they had together made me laugh out loud so many times and I was just giggling and feeling extremely giddy. Both of them were so sweet to each other and the way they expressed their love!! Both of them genuinely make me so happy. THEY DESERVE THE WHOLE WORLD!!!
Christopher on the other hand was a character with so much lost potential. He was such an afterthought and he ended up being overshadowed in so many different situations. He deserved so much better and that’s all I”m gonna say about him for now.
Despite everything she has done, Grace is a character I ended up loving. While I disliked her for obvious reasons before, she grew on me. She was a pawn in Tatiana’s plans and as she had been neglected and abused for most of her life, she felt like she had no choice but to do her bidding. As fucked up as the things that had happened because of her are, she is not the one to blame. At least not fully. She was a child and a victim too, just as much as James was. I hated to see how much of her negative emotions that she feels are directed towards herself. She deserves so much better and she needs to be able to heal too. I honestly believe that we could have focused more on Grace’s story arc too. There’s so much to her character and to her story, that I once again feel like it was criminally overshadowed by other aspects of the plot.
Anna and Ari were just there, I guess. Compared to the previous books Anna’s character felt really bland and just uninteresting. I didn’t feel like she added much to the story, her whole personality was as well as gone. She just didn’t feel like herself. And in Ari’s case, while I liked her self discovery journey, I couldn’t find myself caring for her. I haven’t cared for her before and I didn’t know either.
Another thing I’ve noticed while reading this, is that at times I also felt a certain dislike towards Cassie’s writing, which has never happened before. There were times when it felt repetitive or times when it felt like she was beating around the bush for the sake of longer sentences. I also didn’t like the amount of extra explanations we would see in brackets. The brackets were either not needed and the idea in them could have been written without them being added or most times, they could have just been cut out from the story.
I also need to just rant and ramble about some spoilery bits so just skip this section if you haven’t finished CoT yet.
⚠ ⚠ beginning of spoilers for Chain of Thorns ⚠ ⚠
One thing I wanna say is that this book felt really predictable at times Matthew having not stopped drinking in Paris? Called it immediately after I started reading from his perspective in Paris. He showed no signs of withdrawal and honestly at the time I couldn’t tell if Cassie just got lazy or if I was right. I felt like Cassie used it as a plot twist and just hated it altogether.
I also predicted that Charles was the one being blackmailed by the Inquisitor. What was with that whole mystery?? It was so obvious. There was no other important enough character to be blackmailed and it should have been revealed so much earlier than it had been.
OH MY GOD DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FAMILY TREE the explanation was so stupid. You’re telling me it was just because Esme felt like creating a family tree since she believed some characters that are dead to be alive and vice versa and that she could predict how many kids each ship is gonna have?? Such a bad way to excuse the fact that Cassie just changed her mind about who is gonna live and who is gonna die.
Also somebody please explain this to me. So when Belial took control over London, he basically enslaved all the mundanes and they were affected by his curse of whatever. so , how was Risa still conscious? We know Bridget was an exception since no one tells her what to do”, but nothing was said of Risa. This just doesn’t make sense to me and I have no idea if it’s a plot hole or if I just missed some details.
And finally, we got an explanation as to why Bridget is still alive in TDA and I can’t tell if it’s my dislike for the plot of this book and whatever but really she was just struck by lightning? And extended life span was the consequence? It just feels so stupid.
Since I don’t just want to complain, although the rest of the review will mostly be just me doing exactly that, I just wanna mention this scene that, weeks after actually reading that part, still makes me smile and giggle. I was genuinely crying from laughing when I first read it:
“Dear Alastair,
Why are you so stupid
I brush my teeth
Don’t tell anyone
- Thomas.”
It was just hilarious I’M SORRY BYE
any thomastairs scene tbh>>>
but this one just won at being the best
Anyways, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. To say that I’m mad would be an understatement. Cassie, what the fuck was that death? I don’t think I’ve ever read a worse written death. Not only one second Kit was alive and well, then we switched POV to Lucie who wasn’t there and the next thing we know is that he died. It was supposed to be shocking and sudden ig, but the only thing it felt was unfulfilled and rushed. INSTEAD OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION AND THE DRAMA WE HAD TO SUFFER THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK, CHRISTOPHER COULD HAVE GOTTEN A GOOD DAMN DEATH SCENE, not that shit show that we had to suffer through. Aside from the fact that his death scene was shitty, NO ONE ACTUALLY GRIEVED HIM??? WHAT THE FUCK? The only character that is actually seen grieving is Thomas but even that was just one scene and then it was like the whole grief was gone. In CoG we see Tom carry the grief of Barbara’s death with him, but he didn’t do that for Kit too??? Anna is seen grieving a little but basically the only things we are shown are the scene where Anna stays with his body but we barely focus on that aspect. And then there was the scene where Anna came to Ari’s room and cried, but that didn’t feel like enough?? Especially as aside from those scenes it was like Kit didn’t even die.
Not to mention the lost potential. His death added nothing to the story. It didn’t do anything for the plot. With or without it everything would have happened more or less the same. Why kill him if you’re not gonna even use his death as a plot device? As motivation for the other characters to do something?
AND THE FACT THAT WE WERE ROBBED OF SEEING GRACETOPHER HAPPEN
Kit was so sweet to Grace. I wanted that ship to happen so badly. They worked so well with each other. They had so much chemistry and cassie pulled this shit on us?? SERIOUSLY? DID SHE EVEN FULLY THINK THIS THOUGH?
“She felt the ache inside her like pain, the loss of Christopher. Who had understood her, and not judged her.”
I’m sorry Cassie, but I’ll never forgive you for this
Even though I spoiled myself for this. I know it will be coming. I’ve even heard that it would be a bad scene. I still wasn’t prepared for it. At this point it isn’t even about him being killed off. It’s about how badly the scene was written. He deserved so much better than a half assed attempt. I fully believe that the only reason he was killed was because too many characters were going to survive if he didn’t. His death had absolutely no purpose. NONE.
No one really cried for him. WE WEREN’T EVEN SHOWED CECILY AND GABRIEL’S REACTIONS FFS. We were shown how Cecily reacted to Alexander being kidnapped by Tatiana, BUT NOT THE DEATH OF HER OTHER SON?
Ok i’ll need to stop talking about this because I know I will not stop rambling and ranting about this anytime soon if I continue. There were just too many issues with all this.
⚠ ⚠ ending of spoilers for Chain of Thorns ⚠ ⚠
Well, I’m disappointed and whenever I'll see this book on my shelf I will remember this disappointment, but sometimes things are not meant to be and I was clearly not meant to love this book.
Me not loving this book will definitely be the most shocking thing to happen to me in 2023.
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