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watermelon_pepperoni 's review for:
Chain of Iron
by Cassandra Clare
READ: 01/05/22
Okay, so, I have long been a fan of the Shadowhunter world. So I'm like, fully on board with the author's usual style and plotting conventions.
Like, I do think this book is overstuffed and has pacing issues due to the multitude of in depth multiple POVs, which I have seen Clare execute to better affect elsewhere. HOWEVER, I'm just so far in the Shadowhunter life I tend to just enjoy the ride.
But damn did I HATE that ending. It was SO convoluted why James couldn't have just told Cordelia he loved her. It's frankly comical the lengths to which Clare went to make this the WORST case scenario. Like, he couldn't just not confess, he had to ACTIVELY say things that she'd misunderstand to her face, and then she had to walk in on him lying and also misunderstand THAT. =_= It's just super frustrating and unbelievable. I'm insulted as a reader, that I had to read that, with my own eyes.
Stepping back from That Ending, this wasn't a bad sequel. I think the plot w the murders is good, and the overarching plot was advanced. Belial being stabbed a second time, Grace breaking from Tatiana, and Lucie having REVIVED a dead person. (Le gasp!)
I guessed the reveal about the killer, I also assumed Lucie would for sure bring Jesse back somehow, but I DIDN'T guess that Wayland was Lilith (!)
I really liked the progression of James and Cordelia's marriage. It felt so earned when the bracelet broke. (Part of WHY the ending was so badly written.) Like, in the first book I kinda got why Cordelia liked him but I also didn't because Anna is RIGHT there. Here however, I get it. They're cute.
Lucie and Grace working together was kinda jarring at first but I kinda dig it. Grace in general is a hard sell for me even now, I just don't think she's gotten a chance to be front and center. We'll see in the final book how I feel about her, but she's got potential.
I'm shockingly onboard with her and Christopher, though I think in general, this series has so much wlw potential that is wasted away. (Particularly with Lucie. I mean, come on. The way she looks at Cordelia, Anna, and her secret with Grace??)
Speaking of, Anna is still so cool. The fact that she lies to Ariadne and makes their relationship so much worse is disappointing, sad to read, but I get it. She's just so afraid, even now of caring. I'm proud of Ari for breaking things off, girl you deserve better! Hopefully something better can form now that this is over.
Mathew. I'm kinda glad the book Went There by calling an underage addiction an addiction and a problem. I even felt like him being a confidant to Cordelia and vice versa was natural and he was BY FAR the character that made the most sense at the end because of COURSE he would be thinking of fleeing to Paris all of a sudden. I'm glad he told someone his big secret, but I am worried for him next book because it's easier to say you'll stop drinking than to do so. And do so SAFELY. Reminder, never quit cold turkey, you could die doing so.
Alastair was pretty dope this book, tbh. I hope he can stop w the whole "you're too good for me Thomas also your friends hate me" stuff, cuz Thomas deserves more than that shit. Listen to HIM. A relationship is TWO people (or more, my point is, it isn't a solo activity) so communication is KEY.
The gun was cool as heck.
Separately from her plotline w James, I do enjoy Cordelia as a heroine despite That Ending. I think her reaction to making this mistake is a little overdramatic, but I buy it. Her relationship with Lucie felt kinda sidelined, which is a shame, since it's our first ladies parabatai pair in canon. :/
So yeah, I'm gonna read the finale, and at least since it's the last book we can hopefully NOT have a repeat of Miscommunication: Now With Five Layers.
Yes, I'm still so salty and I will never not be.
Okay, so, I have long been a fan of the Shadowhunter world. So I'm like, fully on board with the author's usual style and plotting conventions.
Like, I do think this book is overstuffed and has pacing issues due to the multitude of in depth multiple POVs, which I have seen Clare execute to better affect elsewhere. HOWEVER, I'm just so far in the Shadowhunter life I tend to just enjoy the ride.
But damn did I HATE that ending. It was SO convoluted why James couldn't have just told Cordelia he loved her. It's frankly comical the lengths to which Clare went to make this the WORST case scenario. Like, he couldn't just not confess, he had to ACTIVELY say things that she'd misunderstand to her face, and then she had to walk in on him lying and also misunderstand THAT. =_= It's just super frustrating and unbelievable. I'm insulted as a reader, that I had to read that, with my own eyes.
Stepping back from That Ending, this wasn't a bad sequel. I think the plot w the murders is good, and the overarching plot was advanced. Belial being stabbed a second time, Grace breaking from Tatiana, and Lucie having REVIVED a dead person. (Le gasp!)
I guessed the reveal about the killer, I also assumed Lucie would for sure bring Jesse back somehow, but I DIDN'T guess that Wayland was Lilith (!)
I really liked the progression of James and Cordelia's marriage. It felt so earned when the bracelet broke. (Part of WHY the ending was so badly written.) Like, in the first book I kinda got why Cordelia liked him but I also didn't because Anna is RIGHT there. Here however, I get it. They're cute.
Lucie and Grace working together was kinda jarring at first but I kinda dig it. Grace in general is a hard sell for me even now, I just don't think she's gotten a chance to be front and center. We'll see in the final book how I feel about her, but she's got potential.
I'm shockingly onboard with her and Christopher, though I think in general, this series has so much wlw potential that is wasted away. (Particularly with Lucie. I mean, come on. The way she looks at Cordelia, Anna, and her secret with Grace??)
Speaking of, Anna is still so cool. The fact that she lies to Ariadne and makes their relationship so much worse is disappointing, sad to read, but I get it. She's just so afraid, even now of caring. I'm proud of Ari for breaking things off, girl you deserve better! Hopefully something better can form now that this is over.
Mathew. I'm kinda glad the book Went There by calling an underage addiction an addiction and a problem. I even felt like him being a confidant to Cordelia and vice versa was natural and he was BY FAR the character that made the most sense at the end because of COURSE he would be thinking of fleeing to Paris all of a sudden. I'm glad he told someone his big secret, but I am worried for him next book because it's easier to say you'll stop drinking than to do so. And do so SAFELY. Reminder, never quit cold turkey, you could die doing so.
Alastair was pretty dope this book, tbh. I hope he can stop w the whole "you're too good for me Thomas also your friends hate me" stuff, cuz Thomas deserves more than that shit. Listen to HIM. A relationship is TWO people (or more, my point is, it isn't a solo activity) so communication is KEY.
The gun was cool as heck.
Separately from her plotline w James, I do enjoy Cordelia as a heroine despite That Ending. I think her reaction to making this mistake is a little overdramatic, but I buy it. Her relationship with Lucie felt kinda sidelined, which is a shame, since it's our first ladies parabatai pair in canon. :/
So yeah, I'm gonna read the finale, and at least since it's the last book we can hopefully NOT have a repeat of Miscommunication: Now With Five Layers.
Yes, I'm still so salty and I will never not be.