REVIEW: Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Dazzling and dangerous, Cassandra Clare ramps up the stakes and will leave you reeling with the latest Last Hours novel, Chain of Iron.

Oh, the unbearable pain of unrequited love! Cordelia Carstairs truly has everything she’s ever wanted — a new life in London with her soon-to-be parabatai, Lucie Herondale, the easy banter and friendship of the Merry Thieves, and a reunion with her aloof father on the horizon. What’s more, she’s engaged to the love of her life, James Herondale. But not everything is as it seems …

Cassandra Clare (Photo by Kelly Campbell).

In a twist of torturous fate, James is seemingly in love with Grace Blackthorn and their upcoming marriage is a lie set to preserve Cordelia’s dignity in Shadowhunter society. Lucie is distant and mysterious, working with one of their mortal enemies to bring someone back from the dead, Cordelia’s father has not overcome the demons of his past, and to top it off there seems to be a serial killer in their midst. Secrets are swirling in the ranks and as the Merry Thieves work together to track down the killer, shocking reveals threaten to tear them apart.

Decadent and atmospheric, you will fall right back into Shadowhunter life in Edwardian London, with all the comfort that comes with reuniting with old friends. I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing the love of my life, Will Herondale, be an adoring husband and father, while also keeping to his roots and chasing demons after dinner parties for fun. It’s almost surreal to see some of your favourite characters become parents but it’s absolutely wonderful to grow up beside them. At first, I thought I would feel far removed from the new Shadowhunter generation but I couldn’t love them more if I tried, especially Matthew Fairchild. Possessing the same charm and wit as Will and the wardrobe of the ever-eccentric Magnus Bane, I found myself drawn to Matthew’s story the most in Chain of Iron, rooting for him to find forgiveness and rest from the trauma of his past. Cassie is kind and generous, allowing even the most morally grey characters a redemption arc worthy of all your tears.

Cordelia and James’ arrangement proves to YA readers all over why Cassie is queen of the slow burn. I was sobbing during their wedding ceremony, when a certain someone started playing the violin, but also at the mention of the impossible future that could be theirs if only they were on the same page. If you’ve read Chain of Gold, you know it’s not as simple as that, but it’s excruciating to witness all the wonder and love they find in each other as they start their lives together, only to be dashed away by a darker magic at work.

The shadows are looming and James and Lucie, along with their friends, are drawn even deeper into the dark web of Belial’s making, as their powers awaken in the face of a new and unfamiliar evil while others dissipate, alongside Cordelia’s beloved blade — Cortana.

There’s pain, love, and loss to be found between these pages and I highly suggest you keep a box of tissues nearby – the Angel knows you’ll need them! There’s no official date set for the next book, Chain of Thorns, but I would willingly battle 5 mandikhor demons to get my hands on a copy now!

—Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare (Walker Books Australia) is out now.

You can pre-order the hardcover Collector’s First Edition (coming on the 16th of April) here.

Chain of Iron

The Last Hours: Book 2

by Cassandra Clare

Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade. But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation...

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Eden Samuel