Chain of Gold

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.

Source: Goodreads

The Last Hours is the new Shadowhunter installment of Cassandra Clare. The first book is Chain of Gold which highlights Cordelia, James, Lucie, Matthew, Anna and the rest of new offsprings of the Shadowhunters. Everyone who has read The Infernal Devices trilogy or even just took a sneak peak of the Family Tree knows that Will and Tessa got married and they have two kids, James and Lucie. 

I would like to start first that seeing Will and Tessa this time as parents makes me extremely happy. Their love seeing extended to James and Lucie is a sight to behold. *insert Will calling Daddy now* They are now parents to a skillful Shadowhunters and let’s say they also inherit their humor and wits.

Now, moving on to the spotlight here, Cordelia Carstairs. Cordelia wants justice to her father’s trial. A loving daughter who only to reclaim the honor of her family that they might totally loss. Right off the bat, Cordelia amused me. She knows what she wanted but she wanted to acquire it in her own way, not they way her mothers wants it. Which is to wed at some high family name of a Shadowhunter that will shield her from all of the damage. 

James and Lucie Herondale has formed an attachment to Jesse and Grace Blackthorn. James has fallen in love to Grace or maybe just the idea of falling in love with her and Lucie is the only one who can see and communicate to Jesse. Chain of Gold also introduces us to Matthew Fairchild, James’s parabatai, Thomas, Anna and Christopher Lightwood. They are called Merry Thieves and each of them has their own role that they play on the story. They have their strength and weaknesses which then supports to the another one. I love how this friendship is well-balanced and enjoyable to read. 

As James deepened his affection to Grace, Grace on the other hand has set her goal in a different manner. Personally, I find it hard to read Grace’s next steps. She is unpredictable and a dangerous character which thickens the plot.

One of the cool things of Chain of Gold is Cordelia’s attachment to Cortana. A powerful sword which only a chooses a worthy Carstairs to behold her. I truly liked the idea how Cordelia binds herself to Cortana almost like an air she needs to breathe in order to live. Her brother, Alastair is also one of the characters that I find myself hard to read. Obviously he cares about the Carstairs name, but along with it is a fragile heart that yearns to be taken good care of. I do love his tactful words of advice. 

Unfolding the mysteries of James’s heritage is the eventful parts of Chain of Gold. The chapters build a lot of tension to the characters and at the same time, their hearts are involved. Sacrifices were made to heal the damage that the demons has been done and James and Cordelia are contemplating the true meaning of their emotions. I have fallen in love in each of these characters.