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A review by just_an_avocado
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I had what I believed to be insurmountable expectations for Chain of Iron, but this book surpassed them in every way! I don’t know how it’s possible, but this was the perfect sequel!
There is A LOT going on in Chain of Iron, let’s break it down:
James and Cordelia are married now (?!), Lucie is getting tied up in necromancy to resurrect Jesse Blackthorn with the help of Wicked Witch of the West Grace Blackthorn, James is having nightmares of killing people, Cortana might be cursed, and also there’s a murderer killing Shadowhunters.
How someone can say these books are merely angsty romances disguised as fantasy is beyond me.
It turns out, these events are all connected to Belial (and Lilith). How Cassie tied everything together is absolute genius! You have to read it, if you haven’t yet.
Plus, there are so many amazing James and Cordelia moments, I just couldn’t handle it. Watching James gradually realize his true feelings was such a treat and was executed so precisely. It was everything I wanted and more. Their love was so powerful it broke the bracelet! Isn’t that amazing? That evil bracelet could not have been removed any other way and have the same impact! It was glorious!
But, of course. The tragedy could not be vanquished yet. We still have another whole book left. James and Daisy cannot yet find their happily ever after. Witnessing James stand on the train station platform and watch Cordelia and Matthew chug away, knowing Cordelia believed James did not and would never love her, was the most pain I’ve felt in a long time. I believe my exact reaction was “Ohhh... The pain! The anguish! The agony! Make it stop!” I actually said this, by the way. My sister was very concerned.
Next item: Jesse is resurrected. It is my understanding that Lucie is now dead. A life for a life. She fainted when she summoned the dead to rescue Cordelia. But raising someone from the dead requires a far greater price. In this case, that price (I’m pretty sure) was Lucie’s life. It seems likely that, if Lucie is, in fact, dead or in a coma or is otherwise indisposed, Jesse will attempt to reverse this state. Lucie has risen him from the dead. He will feel indebted to her, in addition to the fact that he is in love with her. So, it seems likely that Jesse may take Lucie’s place as a main character, his plot line being the resurrection of Lucie Herondale. Unfortunately, these two are apparently trapped in one big cycle of life and death and how they intend to escape it is a mystery to me.
In conclusion, this book broke me in every way and all I have to say is “Thank you.”
Also, I need Chain of Thorns ASAP.
There is A LOT going on in Chain of Iron, let’s break it down:
How someone can say these books are merely angsty romances disguised as fantasy is beyond me.
It turns out, these events are all connected to Belial (and Lilith). How Cassie tied everything together is absolute genius! You have to read it, if you haven’t yet.
Plus, there are so many amazing James and Cordelia moments, I just couldn’t handle it. Watching James gradually realize his true feelings was such a treat and was executed so precisely. It was everything I wanted and more. Their love was so powerful it broke the bracelet! Isn’t that amazing? That evil bracelet could not have been removed any other way and have the same impact! It was glorious!
But, of course. The tragedy could not be vanquished yet. We still have another whole book left. James and Daisy cannot yet find their happily ever after. Witnessing James stand on the train station platform and watch Cordelia and Matthew chug away, knowing Cordelia believed James did not and would never love her, was the most pain I’ve felt in a long time. I believe my exact reaction was “Ohhh... The pain! The anguish! The agony! Make it stop!” I actually said this, by the way. My sister was very concerned.
Next item: Jesse is resurrected. It is my understanding that Lucie is now dead. A life for a life. She fainted when she summoned the dead to rescue Cordelia. But raising someone from the dead requires a far greater price. In this case, that price (I’m pretty sure) was Lucie’s life. It seems likely that, if Lucie is, in fact, dead or in a coma or is otherwise indisposed, Jesse will attempt to reverse this state. Lucie has risen him from the dead. He will feel indebted to her, in addition to the fact that he is in love with her. So, it seems likely that Jesse may take Lucie’s place as a main character, his plot line being the resurrection of Lucie Herondale. Unfortunately, these two are apparently trapped in one big cycle of life and death and how they intend to escape it is a mystery to me.
In conclusion, this book broke me in every way and all I have to say is “Thank you.”
Also, I need Chain of Thorns ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore