Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
As a huge fan of Cassandra Clare’s work and the Shadowhunter Chronicles, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the third book of the trilogy The Last Hours for many years. You can only imagine my excitement when I finally got my hands on Chain of Thorns.
For some context, the book is based in the Shadowhunter universe in the early 1900s. Shadowhunters are a race of human-angel hybrids, and were created centuries ago by the Angel Raziel to protect the world from demons. Their angel blood gives them enhanced strength and agility to aid them in their fight against evil.
The story starts from where the second book left off: following the main character, Cordelia Carstairs, as she attempts to escape the danger and heartbreak of Edwardian London. But while she tries to forget her sorrows, Cordelia is forced to return to the city after receiving shocking news that threatens the wellbeing of her and her loved ones. She finds herself unable to confide in her closest friends who are each dealing with their own internal struggles.
All of the Shadowhunters – except Cordelia and her friends – decide to abandon London to seek safety in Idris, the Shadowhunter homeland. Left alone in a city void of its usual liveliness and facing imminent death, the small group must face a deadly army with nothing but courage and trust on their side.
The writing of this was amazing, with unexpected twists to gut punching scenes to witty lines that make you laugh. One thing I love about Clare’s books is that no named character can be labeled as ‘unimportant’, and this book is no different. Cordelia may be the star, but one could easily resonate with one of her friends, or even one of the ‘villains’. There are some segments where it is clear that she wants to wrap it up quickly to keep the plot going, but at least that means a reader hardly has time to be bored!
The main characters have a bittersweet full-circle moment in the epilogue, with a scene where the characters reflect on how far they’ve come since the beginning of the series, setting the stage for future possibilities. I do have to say that some of the characters sadly didn’t have a very satisfying ending compared to the others, or a part of them was mentioned previously in the story but not expanded upon. I think it would have made it even better if everyone had their fair share of justice.
Despite those flaws, Chain of Thorns is a compelling finale to The Last Hours series overall. It seamlessly weaves together intricate character development, intense battles, and heartfelt moments. I would recommend this to fans of romance, fantasy, and action, though it is important to note that the story contains sexual content, as well as violence and substance use. If you’re someone who loves some thrilling fantasy and you haven’t tried the series yet, this is definitely for you.
-Review by Teen Volunteer, 7/18/24.