Chain of Gold Book Review
Shadow realms, powerful supernatural swords, and spell-binding romance join together in Cassandra Clare's Chain of Gold, the first of her trilogy cataloguing the lives of the Merry Thieves, Lucie, and Cordelia. If all the stories are true, then Clare has transfixed her readers (especially yours truly) in yet another Shadowhunter tale of love, tragedy, and bravery.
First, let's get it straight: Chain of Gold is the sequel to her prequel series, the Infernal Devices. Thankfully, my beloved faves Will, Tessa, and Jem make several adorably spectacular cameos, without the stress and drama of their own prior Shadowhunting trials. Their children, however, face no such peace. After years of suspicion regarding their mother's parentage, James and Lucie come to realize that their warlock heritage might be a bit more complicated that having just a regular demon for a grandfather. As James hones his skills into traveling shadow realms, Lucie befriends a ghost who defies her normal Herondale-trait of seeing the dead: as a non-relative, only she has the ability to communicate with Jesse Blackthorn. That being said, apparently granddad is not the type to sneak cookies or roam around the English countryside...
In addition to their quest to make sense of these otherworldly gifts, James and Lucie face all-too-human issues in terms of romance and friendship. James's heart finds itself utterly connected to Grace Blackthorn, the effervescent beauty with a mystery home-life and Herondale-hating mother Tatiana Blackthorn. With her metal bracelet resting around his wrist, he is bound to her through what he assumes is typical "Herondale's only love once" devotion. James is blind to the rest of the world in Grace's presence; that is, until he isn't. Cordelia Carstairs, Lucie's soon-to-be parabatai, enters James's world suddenly, fiery-red hair flowing and Cortana-glowing. Along with her moody brother Alastair, Cordelia launches herself into the London gang with a mission: save her family's reputation, and confront the ever-present desire she feels toward James Herondale.
Cassandra Clare never skips a beat when it comes to romance, and Chain of Gold proves no stranger to heartbreak and temptation, true love and longing. James's world comes crashing down once Grace asks him to marry her in an attempt to escape her suffocating home. He refuses, unable to leave his family, his parabatai Matthew, and inexplicably, Cordelia. Grace removes her bracelet and herself from his life, leaving him devastated and slightly drunk, appealing to Matthew for a brotherly shoulder to cry on. The next morning, however, James finds himself remarkably at ease despite losing the love of his life. He then finds that he is unable to concentrate on anyone but Cordelia Carstairs. Suddenly, a seductive slam-poetry-esque dance, an unadulterated moment in the Whispering Room (amazing, show-stopping, never-been done before), and intimate promises to read novels together leave the two slightly further along in their relationship then just "childhood friends" status. Did I mention Matthew may have a thing or two for his best friends crush? Or is that flask attached to his hand at every moment suggesting something else, something possibly even more romantically despondent? To be continued (in the next novel... brb, crying).
However, no Shadowhunter tale is complete without demons, lots of them. When hoards of demons begin to appear in the daytime just as attacks had all but gone extinct in London, James and his friends find themselves in a battle against time to save their loved ones. James, along with the Merry Thieves Matthew, Thomas, and Christopher, work with Lucie and Cordelia to determine the ringleader behind these attacks and develop a cure.
As the gang gets closer to discovering the secret behind the spike in these deadly demon appearances, James and Lucie discover that the culprit is much closer to home than they realized. After Christopher is attacked and James becomes poisoned, his only choice to save their world is to face his demons head on. Enter Grandfather Gray: Belial, a Prince of Hell. James portals to Belial's realm and confronts him directly, only to discover that the Greater Demon has bigger plans for his grandson. Belial wishes to roam Earth in a corporeal body: James's body. Before James can decide to sacrifice himself or let his fellow Shadowhunter's fall prey to Belial, Cordelia materializes with Cortana blazing. She and James defeat the demon that had wreaked havoc across their community, and in unstoppable Carstairs style, Cordelia drives Cortana right through the Prince of Hell, shattering him into dust.
Back home, Thomas and Alastair (wink, wink... to be discussed later) finalize a cure and save their poisoned friends. With the demon gone, their London home seems at peace once again. Alas, not all is well on the Shadowhunter front just yet. Grace becomes betrothed to Matthew's older brother, but appeals to James to do her bidding, all-the-while apologizing to him as she snaps her bracelet back around his wrist (sneaky, sneaky). Cordelia and Matthew of course enter the room to find James and Grace in a compromising position. Here, you will find me cursing Cassandra Clare as James once again declares his undying love for Grace and Cordelia tragically hides their once-anticipated novel underneath her dress. Why Cassandra? Why?
Seemingly under Grace's spell (ahem), James sets Tatiana Blackthorn's house ablaze. After Matthew and Cordelia pull James from the wreckage and promise to never speak of his actions again, the gang is called into a Clave (think government, but Shadowhunters) meeting where Tatiana shrieks her blame towards the young Herondale. Cordelia, in a moment of bravery and true-friendship, sacrifices her marriageability to save James from jail, admitting that James was in her room (gasp) on the night of the fire. Damn you and your archaic womanly expectations, early 20th century London! Realizing that Cordelia is now "ruined" (insert angry emoji), James proposes to her. Promising to marry her just for a year, long enough to restore her reputation, he resolves to make her happy simply for the time being. Cordelia, torn between marrying him despite his love for Grace and her actual love for him, agrees. She will have what she wants, just not the way she genuinely wants it. Sigh. Can true love ever be easy and less tragic?! Just kidding, I live for the drama. They'll be happy by book three.
Oh yeah, and by the way, Tatiana is secretly working with Belial to wage war against the Shadowhunters in exchange for raising her son, Jesse, from the dead. Pleasant!
Honorable mentions:
-Anna Lightwood. Just, everything about her. I stan.
-The Charles, Thomas, and Alastair little love triangle. I am very intrigued to learn more about Alastair at the Shadowhunter Academy and if he can redeem himself.
-Christopher and Henry: I live for their wholesome scenes.
-Oscar Wilde. Who but Matthew would name their dog after the playwright? Amazing.
-The Will and Tessa wedding snippet at the end. Would actually sell my soul for these two.
-Any Magnus Bane appearance. His pirate outfit? Immaculate.
-Lucie's novel, The Beautiful Cordelia. She's going places.
-Jesse Blackthorn giving up his last breath to save James. Would also sell my soul for him.
-Matthew broodingly watching James and Cordelia dance at their engagement party. Give me more.
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First, let's get it straight: Chain of Gold is the sequel to her prequel series, the Infernal Devices. Thankfully, my beloved faves Will, Tessa, and Jem make several adorably spectacular cameos, without the stress and drama of their own prior Shadowhunting trials. Their children, however, face no such peace. After years of suspicion regarding their mother's parentage, James and Lucie come to realize that their warlock heritage might be a bit more complicated that having just a regular demon for a grandfather. As James hones his skills into traveling shadow realms, Lucie befriends a ghost who defies her normal Herondale-trait of seeing the dead: as a non-relative, only she has the ability to communicate with Jesse Blackthorn. That being said, apparently granddad is not the type to sneak cookies or roam around the English countryside...
In addition to their quest to make sense of these otherworldly gifts, James and Lucie face all-too-human issues in terms of romance and friendship. James's heart finds itself utterly connected to Grace Blackthorn, the effervescent beauty with a mystery home-life and Herondale-hating mother Tatiana Blackthorn. With her metal bracelet resting around his wrist, he is bound to her through what he assumes is typical "Herondale's only love once" devotion. James is blind to the rest of the world in Grace's presence; that is, until he isn't. Cordelia Carstairs, Lucie's soon-to-be parabatai, enters James's world suddenly, fiery-red hair flowing and Cortana-glowing. Along with her moody brother Alastair, Cordelia launches herself into the London gang with a mission: save her family's reputation, and confront the ever-present desire she feels toward James Herondale.
Cassandra Clare never skips a beat when it comes to romance, and Chain of Gold proves no stranger to heartbreak and temptation, true love and longing. James's world comes crashing down once Grace asks him to marry her in an attempt to escape her suffocating home. He refuses, unable to leave his family, his parabatai Matthew, and inexplicably, Cordelia. Grace removes her bracelet and herself from his life, leaving him devastated and slightly drunk, appealing to Matthew for a brotherly shoulder to cry on. The next morning, however, James finds himself remarkably at ease despite losing the love of his life. He then finds that he is unable to concentrate on anyone but Cordelia Carstairs. Suddenly, a seductive slam-poetry-esque dance, an unadulterated moment in the Whispering Room (amazing, show-stopping, never-been done before), and intimate promises to read novels together leave the two slightly further along in their relationship then just "childhood friends" status. Did I mention Matthew may have a thing or two for his best friends crush? Or is that flask attached to his hand at every moment suggesting something else, something possibly even more romantically despondent? To be continued (in the next novel... brb, crying).
However, no Shadowhunter tale is complete without demons, lots of them. When hoards of demons begin to appear in the daytime just as attacks had all but gone extinct in London, James and his friends find themselves in a battle against time to save their loved ones. James, along with the Merry Thieves Matthew, Thomas, and Christopher, work with Lucie and Cordelia to determine the ringleader behind these attacks and develop a cure.
As the gang gets closer to discovering the secret behind the spike in these deadly demon appearances, James and Lucie discover that the culprit is much closer to home than they realized. After Christopher is attacked and James becomes poisoned, his only choice to save their world is to face his demons head on. Enter Grandfather Gray: Belial, a Prince of Hell. James portals to Belial's realm and confronts him directly, only to discover that the Greater Demon has bigger plans for his grandson. Belial wishes to roam Earth in a corporeal body: James's body. Before James can decide to sacrifice himself or let his fellow Shadowhunter's fall prey to Belial, Cordelia materializes with Cortana blazing. She and James defeat the demon that had wreaked havoc across their community, and in unstoppable Carstairs style, Cordelia drives Cortana right through the Prince of Hell, shattering him into dust.
Back home, Thomas and Alastair (wink, wink... to be discussed later) finalize a cure and save their poisoned friends. With the demon gone, their London home seems at peace once again. Alas, not all is well on the Shadowhunter front just yet. Grace becomes betrothed to Matthew's older brother, but appeals to James to do her bidding, all-the-while apologizing to him as she snaps her bracelet back around his wrist (sneaky, sneaky). Cordelia and Matthew of course enter the room to find James and Grace in a compromising position. Here, you will find me cursing Cassandra Clare as James once again declares his undying love for Grace and Cordelia tragically hides their once-anticipated novel underneath her dress. Why Cassandra? Why?
Seemingly under Grace's spell (ahem), James sets Tatiana Blackthorn's house ablaze. After Matthew and Cordelia pull James from the wreckage and promise to never speak of his actions again, the gang is called into a Clave (think government, but Shadowhunters) meeting where Tatiana shrieks her blame towards the young Herondale. Cordelia, in a moment of bravery and true-friendship, sacrifices her marriageability to save James from jail, admitting that James was in her room (gasp) on the night of the fire. Damn you and your archaic womanly expectations, early 20th century London! Realizing that Cordelia is now "ruined" (insert angry emoji), James proposes to her. Promising to marry her just for a year, long enough to restore her reputation, he resolves to make her happy simply for the time being. Cordelia, torn between marrying him despite his love for Grace and her actual love for him, agrees. She will have what she wants, just not the way she genuinely wants it. Sigh. Can true love ever be easy and less tragic?! Just kidding, I live for the drama. They'll be happy by book three.
Oh yeah, and by the way, Tatiana is secretly working with Belial to wage war against the Shadowhunters in exchange for raising her son, Jesse, from the dead. Pleasant!
Honorable mentions:
-Anna Lightwood. Just, everything about her. I stan.
-The Charles, Thomas, and Alastair little love triangle. I am very intrigued to learn more about Alastair at the Shadowhunter Academy and if he can redeem himself.
-Christopher and Henry: I live for their wholesome scenes.
-Oscar Wilde. Who but Matthew would name their dog after the playwright? Amazing.
-The Will and Tessa wedding snippet at the end. Would actually sell my soul for these two.
-Any Magnus Bane appearance. His pirate outfit? Immaculate.
-Lucie's novel, The Beautiful Cordelia. She's going places.
-Jesse Blackthorn giving up his last breath to save James. Would also sell my soul for him.
-Matthew broodingly watching James and Cordelia dance at their engagement party. Give me more.
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