ambiancereads
Written on Dec 1, 2021
From internationally bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand new Shadowhunters trilogy. Evil is hiding in plain sight and the only thing more dangerous than fighting demons is falling in love.
Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to Edwardian London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.
But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before – these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to an dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers – and force a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.
- ISBN10 1406390984
- ISBN13 9781406390988
- Publish Date 4 February 2021 (first published 3 March 2020)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Walker Books Ltd
- Format Paperback
- Pages 592
- Language English
Reviews
Kelly
Written on Mar 24, 2020
Venturing back into the world of the Shadowhunters was glorious, Chain of Gold continues the narrative of the Herondale family through their children, James and Lucy in Edwardian London. Lackadaisical Shadowhunters enjoying picnics in the parklands and lavish parties, contradictory to the commonly bustling streets of London. But trouble is brewing, chocks away old chap!
Regardless of my terrible British grammar, Chain of Gold is incredible, diverse and lavishly written. Compared to previous Shadowhunter releases, the Chain of Gold characters are beautifully written and dimensional, unreliant upon arrogance and their heroic capabilities. Unrequited love, enchantment and tumultuous love affairs, adventure was certainly afoot. One of the loveliest aspects of Cassandra Clare's novels is the chosen family aspect. Characters from various families, various generations, all caring for one another under the most austere of circumstances.
It's bloody brilliant!
liz089
Written on Mar 9, 2020
It was so great to be reading about this world again, with some new and some old characters. Though it took me a bit to get into it and hold all of them a part (who was related to who again ? XD), once you get to know them better throughout the novel it got a lot easier and was no longer a distraction.
It feels like this was just the beginning (which it is), an intro into these new characters in a familiair world. I can not wait to get my hands on the next one and see how this will develop. So much has been set for the next installments... I am so curious !!
nightingalereads
Written on Apr 14, 2013
*spoiler-free*
It took time to formulate my review for this book, because I knew, going in, I would love it for the characters alone. I had no expectations for what the plot would look like, except that Great Expectations was the Dickens inspiration for this particular trilogy.
On the character front, I was not disappointed. I'd read some of the short stories featuring TLH characters - James, Cordelia, Lucie, Matthew, the rest of the Merry Thieves, Alastair - and loved them just as predicted. Matthew in particular stole my heart. I love James beyond words, but my heart aches something fierce when I think of Matthew Fairchild. This was my first time really meeting Cordelia and I LOVE her as our main heroine. She's brave in ways I hadn't expected, and relatable in her insecurities. Above all, she is loyal and unselfish, fierce and truthful. The Infernal Devices remains one of my favorite trilogies of all time, and I can't tell you the joy I felt reading about the next generation. There were no side characters I didn't find myself intrigued by - aside from a few terribly irksome Blackthorns. Two other characters that surprised me with how much I loved them were Jesse Blackthorn and Alastair Carstairs. Definitely can't wait to find out more about them in Chain of Iron!
As far as plot goes, the pacing was a bit...odd?...at times, but I didn't really mind because I loved all the people I was reading about. This series also falls prey to Cassie Clare's typical plotlines that drive you absolutely mad with frustration. You'll want to scream into your pillow at some of the characters' decisions and ignorance. Overall, though, my love for the characters trumps this irritation. (Well, mostly. >.)
Nothing will ever hold a candle to TID for me, but Chain of Gold was a massive win and will probably end up my second favorite series from her. Oof. Those Herondales, Carstairs, and Fairchilds. They have my heart.