Chain of Gold

I never say that Cassie Clare is a favorite author of mine but I also can't deny that I'm one of those who has read all the Shadowhunter universe books, and even reread a few of them. I may not have grown up with them like many bloggers I know, but I did start reading them almost a decade ago and they helped me get through some rough times, so this world will always be associated with some great nostalgia. And that's probably why I know I'll keep reading any new thing CC writes. And that was the same here.

Cassie's books are so easy to read and that's probably one of the reasons why they are so popular. So it was obvious that once I started reading this, I couldn't put it down and hence another night of no sleep. I also liked that this book goes back to its original roots, concentrating more on demon attacks and it's mysteries rather than Clave/Downworld politics, which made for some very cool and elaborate action sequences. There is also an air of mystery surrounding the motivations of multiple characters which keeps the suspense going, and I really enjoyed that. After having read so many books in this universe, I do agree that the plot can feel a bit predictable at times and I can see things happening a certain way before they do, but that's not a bad thing for me - I think this predictability is a comfort especially during these uncertain times in our real world.

My one complaint would probably be that I was so damn confused and found it very difficult to keep track of all the Shadowhunters and their families and their relationships - they really were too many of them and I had to give up after a while and concentrate only on the group of main characters. I still can't tell much of who is related to who and I don't think it'll get better in the future books either. I'll probably just have to look at the family tree thoroughly the next time before I start a new Shadowhunter book. Another small gripe I have is that some of the potential relationships in this book are hinting as going in similar directions as those in some of the previous books, and while I like some predictability, I don't want the relationships to get repetitive and I hope Cassie proves me wrong in the sequel.

Cassie writes some of the best ensemble casts and the most beautiful relationships (platonic and romantic) and that's my top reason why I keep coming back for more and this book is no different. Will and Tessa's kids Lucie and James are the main ones here and I was so happy to see my favorite family again. We have an excellent supporting cast in the Lightwoods Christopher, Thomas and Anna who are amazing and James's parabatai Matthew Fairchild who has very tragic air about him and I just wanted him to find his happiness.

And then there's Cordelia Carstairs who outright steals the show. She is brave, loyal, wants to be a hero and protect everyone she loves. I loved knowing that she is half Persian and the use of endearments in her language and her love for the classic Layla-Majnun really made me love her even more. Tessa has always been my favorite heroine in this world but Cordelia may just steal that spot.

We have a lot of side characters whom I couldn't keep a track of but seeing old favorites brought a big smile on my face. I will always live for more Will, Tessa, Jem and Magnus sightings. The two new additions who are most mysterious and whom I would love to know more about are Grace and Jesse Blackthorn and I'm sure they are gonna play very important roles in the upcoming books.

The friendships between the main cast are an absolute delight to read about and it's just beautiful to see a group of youngsters who would do anything for each other. There is usually a lot of pining in Cassie's books and while there was some here as well, I felt like this book was more of a setup and that's why the angst factor was a little toned down. And I like the prospective couples but I'm hoping that it doesn't go down the love triangle route which was hinted at towards the end because I don't want another Will/Jem/Tessa.

In the end, this book had all the elements I love in a Shadowhunter book - great characters, wonderful friendships, a suspenseful plot and some cool action. I loved being back in this world and it was such a comfort when I was feeling all anxious. If you are a fan of this universe, you have probably already read this book or you will be, and I don't need to convince you. However, if you are new to the Shadowhunter world or have only read some books, then I think you'll enjoy this one. You only have to read the Infernal Devices trilogy and a few short stories before you get started. I'm already excited for the sequel but the wait is long and there's no way to avoid it.

3.75 stars
I actually liked this book.... after it took me years to read TDA because of how much I hated it, I had low expectations for this series but im surprised.
I love her other series and all her other books (including the iron trial series, I loooooove them) but TDA wasn't for me.

im excited to read the 2nd book! I cant afford it right now but when I get paid im zoooooming to the store to get it


I had one issue though. I thought Cordelia as a character ( a main character at that ) was kind of bland. I didn't enjoy reading from her POV or like her presence. no hate but I was bored with her, I cant wait to see some develeopment for her in the 2nd book!

Eu comecei a ler este livro só sabendo que era da Cassandra Clare, não fazía a mínima ideia do que seria. Ao início comecei a gostar bastante do livro, porque novamente fui colocada no mundo dos Caçadores de Sombras e aqui acompanhamos a história dos filhos da Tessa e Will (as personagens da saga (As Origens).
A medida que a história foi desenvolvendo, comecei a perder-me um pouco com as personagens (pois eram muitas) e depois a história foi desenvolvendo muuuuuito lentamente. E metade do tempo a escritora focava-se muito mais a descrever os olhos das personagens reviro os olhos!
Em geral a história foi boa, não foi muito previsível, mas teve um bom desenrolar final.

I would advise skipping this review as I'm highly biased. The third book of chronologically previous series - The Infernal Devices - was the first book that I've read in English. It holds a lot of sentimental value for me.

Chain of Gold follows a lot of offsprings of familiar characters. It always amazed me how in such series everyone has offspings. But I may give it a pass here fot the time period sake and Shadowhunters do tend to die fairly quickly.

This book did managed to return me to the old good days even if for a bit. Ths feels like a very familiar teen drama with something always happenning. Did this book need to be that long? Probably not. But it was fairly entertaining with constant action all over the place.

I can only complain for the suspense beeing a bit too open. As a reader, we see that something is wrong with some characters way too early, but other charecters don't (I'm starting the second book and they still don't see it). It is a bit tiring.

!!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!!



I am SCREAMING. Why did I choose to read this book now, knowing that I won't have the next one for a year or two? I did this to myself.
This book was incredible. I feel like crying and screaming now tho. It was so, so good. But I was left so empty and I don't even know how to explain it. What the hell!??!!

I really hope that James and Cordelia will be together in the end and that someone will smack that b*tch Grace. I hate her so much, she's so annoying and she ruined my hopes.
And I don't even know what to say about Matthew, WHAT DOES HE WANT?
What the hell is with these people and their love lives and everything, this is so frustrating but awesome at the same time.
I know a book is REALLY good when it makes me feel all these feelings.
Can't wait for the next one.

3.5 stars
The plot in this one isn't the best, but the character work is pretty solid.

First of all, I was confused for a while because there were too many main characters. I think family trees should have been included. It would have helped me a lot!

Anyway, the main issue I had with it was the plot took a while to get developed. And even when more stuff was finally happening, it felt a little underwhelming.

But these characters... I was obsessed with the dynamics. Anna, Lucie, and Matthew were my favorite characters. I really liked Cordelia too. James was okay, he wasn't exactly himself during the majority of this book, and that's probably why I didn't connect to him at the same level. The core group was amazing and the friendships were so well done! Anna deserved more page time for sure!
Jesse is probably the most intriguing character. I want to know EVERYTHING about that boy.
I despised Grace. I don't care that she had a tough childhood. Nothing justifies her behavior. Unless she does a 180 in the next book and rights her wrongs.

Also, it was great to get Will, Tessa, Jem and Magnus in this book. I loved every single moment they were on page.

Overall, a solid first book in this trilogy. Very entertaining and emotional.

This is my all time favorite book from Cassandra Clare..... I WANT GRACE TO DIE SHE CAN GET STABBED AND HEAD GET CUT OFF TAKE THAT FUCKING BRACELET OFF TOO U EVIL BITCH USING MY LITTLE BABY LIKE THAT....poor Cordelia


Im am not reading the 2nd one yet uhuh i aint ready I AM NOT READY AT ALL... SOOOO I WILL WAIT A YEAR OR 2 FOR THE NEXT AND FINAL BOOK

I adored this so much. Such amazing and wonderful characters in this story who I just love.
Cordelia is such a wonderful main character! (James is also a main character, but I like Cordelia more, leave me alone). She's so smart and she never makes rash decisions, she always thinks about it so that when she makes a decision things don't go WRONG! What a refresher! I've gone through three series of main characters who do not think before doing, and god I love Cordelia so much!
Alastair, also, like, can we talk about Alastair????? The snippet we got before the release told me about as much as I needed to know - he will get a redemption arc - AND CAN WE JUST- I JUST- I NEED SOME CLOSURE HERE- WITH MATTHEW- AND ALL THAT- APOLOGY TOUR, PERHAPS? ALASTAIR, I LOVE YOU, BOO, PLEASE DO THE TOUR. IT IS NEEDED. Also, hello Thomas. THOMAS!
Anna is just wonderful in every single aspect and I really wish there was more of her! I loved how she was kind of the collected older sister everyone goes to when they need help and can't ask the adults, lmao. I think I know what her role will be in the next book (or next two) AND I CAN'T WAIT. 
Charles.... And Grace..... I fucking can't. I need them both to just leave. Mostly Grace, but Charles, fuck, you're such an asshole. And Grace is literally on an entirely different level. Charles is like level 2 assholery, and Grace is like level 57. I cannot with this girl, she aggravates me to no end and I need her to sit the fuck down and STOP. Regain her conscience. Apologize. And move on. 
LUCIE IS SO ADORABLE, I LOVE HOW EVERYTIME SOMEONE IS FOCUSING ON JAMES SHE'S LIKE “I'm here too, hi!”, AND I LOVE HOW SHE RUNS TO CORDELIA AND HUGS HER AND YELLS OUT HER NAME EVERY TIME SHE SEES HER, AND I LOVE HOW SHE TAKES NO FUCKS AND TELLS MATTHEW OFF, AND I JUST FUCKING LOVE HER SO MUCH, OKAY, PLEASE DON'T HURT THIS PRECIOUS BABY, CC, PLEASE! 
Now, the parents.
Seeing our previous mains as parents, I was dying! It was amazing! Will is the jokester dad (as expected ofc), and Tessa is the common sense, I love. Cecily is such a feminist, and she shuts down Gabriel and Will for trying to disagree, I love. Henry is Christopher's mentor and I LOVE. I just love, I love all the love, I LOVE. (unfortunately, there was not enough of Gideon and Sophie, nor Charlotte). 
Matthew is a character who I adored in the short stories, but was slightly annoyed with here. It is probably mostly because he's drunk all the time, but I really just need him to step the fuck up occasionally. 
Generally, I adored the absolute shit out of this book. My only gripe with it is actually the plot. In general, the book feels like a starter book in terms of character introductions and period setting, which means the plot gets pushed to a later time, just a bit. I really loved seeing all the bits of Cordelia navigating this posh world she has landed in, it was so entertaining. But the plot felt smaller than I've become accustomed to with CC's books lately, yet at the same time it felt like it wanted to be larger than it was.... does that even make sense? Idk. But it did feel a little bit lackluster at times, you know, it feels like a book whose purpose is to set up the next book (as books in a series obviously should, but I hope you know what I'm getting at.)
It was so aggravating at times BECAUSE FUCKING GRACE, and often I got so blindsided I was like wha- did you jus- but I thought- it's- but- wut. Other times, I was simply very confused about the decisions that were made, like HELLOOOOOOOO. 
Overall, this first book is very much character-driven, and thankfully I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEEEE the characters, which made it very easy to love the book. There were so many good character moments, like I get happy just thinking about it. Gah! I want more! Ahhhhh! Closer to the end I was worried I was gonna chuck the book across the room when it was over, but I actually was VERY happy with what happened at the end and the outcome it leads into for the next book, like I AM SO EXCITED OH MY GOD. THIS TROPE. 
I can't. Like I fucking can't. Yes. All the yesses.

“You decide the truth about yourself. No one else. And the choice about what kind of person you will be is yours alone.”

I don't want to jinx it but the beginning of this trilogy is so good. I adore Cordelia as the main heroine, I enjoyed the new generation cohort, and the plot -despite being slow at times- is quite engaging. My favorite out of these characters is definitely Matthew but i enjoyed everyone equally, especially reading about Will, Tessa, and Jem again.

Oh. My. God. I loveddd this book but also hated it for the pain it caused me. One of my favorite things about this books is the dynamic of the group of friends. Also I LOVE Cordelia I find like a lot of protagonists are really whiny and I find most of them annoying but I really Cordelia she a BAD B. I despise Grace and her mother I will not explain further. What I did want more of in this was POV from the rest of the merry thieves. Okay now I can talk about James and Cordelia oh god why? Why!? WHY?! Why must CC always hurt us with the romance. Also Matthew has feeling for Cordelia?? No no I REFUSE to have another love triangle that will rip me apart like will Jem and Tessa. EVERYTIME they were mentioned or talked about it I cried. Looking forward to the rest of this series.


After rereading this book is so good. Still every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned I cried.

Third time reading and it still doesn't get old. I love these characters more and more each read. And yes I still cry every time Jem, Will, or Tessa was mentioned. God I LOVE THESE CHARCTWRS AHHHH