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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I absolutely love Cassandra Clare. The infernal devices is my favourite series to date and I loved the mortal instruments and it’s what got me into reading. When I found out that Cassandra Clare has written a series about the kids of the infernal devices, I was so excited! This first book did not disappoint, so I was really excited for the second book in the series.
This book mainly follows Cordelia Carstairs who we met in the first book. She seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood and London’s most eligible bachelor. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming friends, the Merry Thieves, she is also about to be reunited with her father who is now healthy again and she has her legendary blade of Cortana. But the truth is a bit different. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it and her father has grown bitter and angry at the community that has shut him out. To make matters worse, there is a serial murderer that is targeting the Shadowhunters of London and then vanishing without a trace. Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James and Lucie must follow the trail of the killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each are keeping a dangerous secret – Lucie plans to raise Jesse from the dead, Cordelia is sworn to a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power and James is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself might be the killer they seek.
This book hurt my heart, I didn’t like the tension or the secrets in this book. I like the gang working together against a bad guy, not the gang working alone and hiding their secrets. I hated the tension. I didn’t like love triangle aspect in this book being Cordelia, James and Grace and Cordelia, James and Matthew (thought for the second one I am now rooting for Matthew based on the end of this book not James!). I just really, really want Cordelia and Alastair to be happy they both deserve it. I enjoyed the storyline in this book and I know the next book is going to hurt my heart, I can feel it and I'm not ready for it, but at the same time, so ready for it.
Cassandra Clare manages to do it Every. Single. Time - you don’t have to read any of the other series to know what’s going on, some immortal characters make an appearance but you could read this series on its own without having to read The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices or The Eldest Curses.
This book mainly follows Cordelia Carstairs who we met in the first book. She seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood and London’s most eligible bachelor. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming friends, the Merry Thieves, she is also about to be reunited with her father who is now healthy again and she has her legendary blade of Cortana. But the truth is a bit different. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it and her father has grown bitter and angry at the community that has shut him out. To make matters worse, there is a serial murderer that is targeting the Shadowhunters of London and then vanishing without a trace. Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James and Lucie must follow the trail of the killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each are keeping a dangerous secret – Lucie plans to raise Jesse from the dead, Cordelia is sworn to a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power and James is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself might be the killer they seek.
This book hurt my heart, I didn’t like the tension or the secrets in this book. I like the gang working together against a bad guy, not the gang working alone and hiding their secrets. I hated the tension. I didn’t like love triangle aspect in this book being Cordelia, James and Grace and Cordelia, James and Matthew (thought for the second one I am now rooting for Matthew based on the end of this book not James!). I just really, really want Cordelia and Alastair to be happy they both deserve it. I enjoyed the storyline in this book and I know the next book is going to hurt my heart, I can feel it and I'm not ready for it, but at the same time, so ready for it.
Cassandra Clare manages to do it Every. Single. Time - you don’t have to read any of the other series to know what’s going on, some immortal characters make an appearance but you could read this series on its own without having to read The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices or The Eldest Curses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Miscarriage
__rasberry__'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The book has A LOT of miss understandings and miss communications and if you’re into that and the suspense it brings it would be great but it just tired me out. I just felt like I lost interest after awhile because it was too much of it. Also a lot of reusing of tropes that cassandra has used a lot and they feel done.
But don’t get me wrong, I liked a lot of it. I liked getting to know Grace some more, and if not starting to like her, at least starting to understand why she is the way she is. I think she is the character that developed the most during the book, in my eyes. And i liked the mystery element and i think it was wonderfully done. I didn’t suspect a think, and that could just be me not using a lot of critical thinking while reading, but still. And i liked the realtionships, i loved the Merry Thieves. They are found family in the best way and every moment at the Devil Tavern just warmed my heart. How they accept and fight for each other no matter what and how they deeply do care about everyone, even newbies Lucie and Cordelia.
Also special tribute to all the queer characters and the surprisingly good representation. There’re a handful of them and i love all of their stories and that they are all unique and not stereotypical. They are not only their queerness, they are fully fleshed put characters with millions of problems, their queerness never being the biggest one. And lastly i love how they are accepted, even though that was rarely the in those times, and it is not a big deal to those around them. Kiss on the forehead to Anna from me.
But don’t get me wrong, I liked a lot of it. I liked getting to know Grace some more, and if not starting to like her, at least starting to understand why she is the way she is. I think she is the character that developed the most during the book, in my eyes. And i liked the mystery element and i think it was wonderfully done. I didn’t suspect a think, and that could just be me not using a lot of critical thinking while reading, but still. And i liked the realtionships, i loved the Merry Thieves. They are found family in the best way and every moment at the Devil Tavern just warmed my heart. How they accept and fight for each other no matter what and how they deeply do care about everyone, even newbies Lucie and Cordelia.
Also special tribute to all the queer characters and the surprisingly good representation. There’re a handful of them and i love all of their stories and that they are all unique and not stereotypical. They are not only their queerness, they are fully fleshed put characters with millions of problems, their queerness never being the biggest one. And lastly i love how they are accepted, even though that was rarely the in those times, and it is not a big deal to those around them. Kiss on the forehead to Anna from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Gore and Blood
the_true_monroe's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Bullying
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am very excited to conclude my year long Cassandra Clare readathon and be caught up to read “Chain of Thorns”.
“Chain of Iron” picks up right where “Chain of Gold” left off. Cordelia is engaged to her dream partner: James. She has secretly loved him since they were children. She has the powerful blade of Cortana in her possession and she will soon be reunited with her father. Everything seems to be going perfectly for her. Unfortunately, nothing is as it seems. James is not in love with her, the Cortana sword burns her whenever she tries to hold it, and her father has grown bitter and mean. And, to top it all off, there is a serial killer targeting shadow hunters. Together with her friends, Cordelia works to uncover the truth behind these murders, and maintain her marriage facade.
This novel was action-packed, and I loved every second of it. With it being the second book in a trilogy, I do think it dragged a bit because there needs to be set up for the epic conclusion, but overall, I still enjoyed it.
I am so excited to see the chaos that ensues in “Chain of Thorns”.
“Chain of Iron” picks up right where “Chain of Gold” left off. Cordelia is engaged to her dream partner: James. She has secretly loved him since they were children. She has the powerful blade of Cortana in her possession and she will soon be reunited with her father. Everything seems to be going perfectly for her. Unfortunately, nothing is as it seems. James is not in love with her, the Cortana sword burns her whenever she tries to hold it, and her father has grown bitter and mean. And, to top it all off, there is a serial killer targeting shadow hunters. Together with her friends, Cordelia works to uncover the truth behind these murders, and maintain her marriage facade.
This novel was action-packed, and I loved every second of it. With it being the second book in a trilogy, I do think it dragged a bit because there needs to be set up for the epic conclusion, but overall, I still enjoyed it.
I am so excited to see the chaos that ensues in “Chain of Thorns”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Violence, Death, and Infidelity
green_amaryllis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
faduma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Addiction, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Alcoholism
andrikkk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Stalking, Violence, Addiction, Deadnaming, Grief, Infidelity, Blood, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and War
Minor: Incest and Sexual content
xyloblue's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Murder
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Bullying, and Homophobia
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Life is pain. The Princess Bride was at least right when it comes to THIS BOOK. Goodness these characters were put through the wringer in this one! And that ending!? Basically I am not okay. I need a "Matthew Fairchild deserves better" support group please. And to have more of Thomas in the story. AND POOR CORDELIA I can't. Anyways. I will basically not be able to write a cohesive review so this is what you get. Officially converted to adoring the entire Merry Thieves group and outliers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
evieolive's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Love the world and characters but a little drawn out
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Torture, Child death, Death, Grief, and Infidelity