Name: Chain of Thorns
Rating: 4.144230769230769 (78 reviews)
ISBN: 9781529509557

Cassandra Clare

Chain of Thorns

Salomé GB

I told you it would work!" Will cried in Magnus's direction. Magnus was busy magicking the unfastened baggage to the top of the steps, blue sparks darting like fireflies from his gloved fingertips."We should have done that on the way out!" 

"You did not say it would work," Magnus said. "You said, as I recall, By the Angel, he's going to kill us all." 

Sarah

We are married, and we will remain married, and in love, until the stars burn out of the sky

Belial sneered. "She will not touch me with her foul blade." he said. "For I will be possessing you and for her to harm me, she would have to end your life. Which she will not do. Women," he added, "are notoriously sentimental." 

"Wonderful," Matthew muttered. "Advice about human women from a Prince of Hell."

This is gonna work out like how Hades’s deal with Hercules does in the Disney movie. I just know it

"I, Prince Belial, Lord of Edom, of the First Nine, do swear on the name of Lucifer, He that is everything, that I will not cause harm to befall any of those dear to my blood grandson James Herondale. May I be struck into the Pit if such comes to pass."

 "Look, you need not discuss your feelings about James, Matthew, or whatever other harem of men you may have acquired, with me. I merely want to know if you're all right." 

Christopher's eyebrows had gone up, but he'd only said, "You read Persian, don't you?"

“And Sanskrit," Alastair said. "Urdu, some Malay, Tamil, Greek, and a bit of Coptic. If that would be useful"

Sarah Campbell

We must learn to suffer what we cannot evade; our life, like the harmony of the world, is composed of contrary things of diverse tones, sweet and harsh, sharp and flat, sprightly and solemn: the musician who should only affect some of these, what would he be able to do? he must know how to make use of them all, and to mix them; and so we should mingle the goods and evils which are consubstantial with our life; our being cannot subsist without this mixture, and the one part is no less necessary to it than the other. 

Merge into violent nights of black and gold; 

Where, it may be, the flower of dawn is cold: 

Ah, but the gold ights, and the scented ways! 

—Charles G. D. Roberts, "Grey Rocks, and Greyer Sea"

But is there for the night a resting place? 

A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. 

May not the darkness hide it from my face?

— Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

"I am somewhat insulted" Magnus said, that you went to Malcolm Fade to seek his advice on what to do about Jesse, and did not come to me. Usually I am the warlock you annoy first, and I Consider that a proud tradition.”

That night James slept like the dead, and if his father rose in the middle of the night to check on him as if he were a small boy, if Will sat beside him on his bed and sang to him in rusty Welsh, James did not remember it when he woke up.

“Mine is a complicated story, and people do not want to hear complicated stories. They want simple stories, in which people are either good or evil, and no one good ever makes a mistake, and no one evil ever repents.”

— Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "Christabel"

He glanced at Will. “Well, I shall; I  can't promise anything for your father. He's always been slow.” 

"But I have never worn a Russian hat with fur earflaps," said Will, "unlike some individuals currently present.” 

"Mistakes have been made on all sides," said Magnus. 

There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy. 

You love as your father loves: wholly, without conditions or hesitancy. To use that as a weapon is blasphemy. 

Whose hearts must I break? What lie must I maintain? 

 Cassandra Clare

The Last Hours: Chain of Thorns

Such a powerful ending to a spectacular story - now it shares the first place with The Infernal Devices series for the best series within the Shadowhunter Chronicles <3

Paula

Steph

i cried. i cheered. i kicked my feet up in the air. i clutched my fist so hard it left half moon marks on my palm. cassandra clare, you truly is a phenomenal fantasy writer. 

Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.

After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.

Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.

For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

The Last Hours (Book 3)

This book had me hooked from page one! There was definitely a lot going on. This book was quite the roller coaster of emotions. I am happy with the ending and the last few lines really had me. 

Hannah Williams

Ellie M.

old review below!! 

3.75 ⭐️ 

There are so many things I wish cassie had done differently with this book, considering how long we had to wait ?? It doesn’t feel enough. It was definitely a mess and I wish some things never truly happened but the truth is that there was so much unnecessary shit easily swept aside for the sake of angst. Truthfully, we never got answers to anything. It really didn’t give what I expected so I’ll stick to my rating. 

Review from 2021: 

I will never know peace until this book is in my hands. I know some of the ships will not end well and only one is literally safe lol. I hope this miscommunication trope of herondaisy will be fixed.

I am finally free - worst experience of my life!!

Everything in this book is entirely obscured by its length. Instead of presenting us with a tight, focused plot and/or a series of character studies, it is a series of fan-service moments between the couples that Clare has decided must happen. About 50% of this novel would have been extra free content on her blog 10 years ago or would have ended up on another collection of short stories written by other authors. It is not literature, it is fan content; this is not be trying to discredit fan content, I just do not think it has any place in a 30h-listening-time novel (which STILL somehow has a bonus story at the end). But I guess this was always a fan service series (I could not believe that people begged for it, I know I did not care and I still do not).

Another 40% of the novel is plot points re-used from other instalments of the "Shadowhunter Chronicles", slightly changes. About 10% feels original to this novel and I feel like I am being generous, having written out the number.

I cannot say that any of the time was used to flesh out the massive cast of characters either; they still feel as flat as the first time Clare mentioned them when people were asking for Shadowhunter trees and Wessa's kids. 

An all-around disaster for an author as seasoned as Clare. To be honest, she already felt tired during TDA but I hoped that having continuously upped the ante up to that point, she would be quite limited in what she could do with her two remaining series. For TLH, it really could have been a rather conscise character study (this series rather bites off more than it can chew and then gets lost in romantic drama). For TWP, my original hope was for something rather small-scale that wraps some lose ends. After having read "Chain of Thorns", however, I am very, very afraid of what it will be like, actually - and it makes me sad since I was really looking forward to the Kit Herondale books.

I am finally free - worst experience of my life!!

Everything in this book is entirely obscured by its length. Instead of presenting us with a tight, focused plot and/or a series of character studies, it is a series of fan-service moments between the couples that Clare has decided must happen. About 50% of this novel would have been extra free content on her blog 10 years ago or would have ended up on another collection of short stories written by other authors. It is not literature, it is fan content; this is not be trying to discredit fan content, I just do not think it has any place in a 30h-listening-time novel (which STILL somehow has a bonus story at the end). But I guess this was always a fan service series (I could not believe that people begged for it, I know I did not care and I still do not).

Another 40% of the novel is plot points re-used from other instalments of the "Shadowhunter Chronicles", slightly changes. About 10% feels original to this novel and I feel like I am being generous, having written out the number.

I cannot say that any of the time was used to flesh out the massive cast of characters either; they still feel as flat as the first time Clare mentioned them when people were asking for Shadowhunter trees and Wessa's kids. 

An all-around disaster for an author as seasoned as Clare. To be honest, she already felt tired during TDA but I hoped that having continuously upped the ante up to that point, she would be quite limited in what she could do with her two remaining series. For TLH, it really could have been a rather conscise character study (this series rather bites off more than it can chew and then gets lost in romantic drama). For TWP, my original hope was for something rather small-scale that wraps some lose ends. After having read "Chain of Thorns", however, I am very, very afraid of what it will be like, actually - and it makes me sad since I was really looking forward to the Kit Herondale books.

nina 

** spoiler alert **
           justice for my boy

James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel. All first edition hardcovers will include full-color reverse jacket art, ten black-and-white interior illustrations, and a bonus short story! Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter. After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial. Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone. For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

Izzy

ehhhhh this was a big disappointment im sad

Sina Meier

I enjoyed this read, but it was entirely too long. 

Everything took what felt like ten years to get going, and I didn't like some of the perspectives. There were definitely way too many. 

Also, a death (with someone I won't mention) happened, and it felt entirely forced and sad for no reason. I noticed way back that if a character doesn't have a front focus romance, or has a one-sided love, will die. It happens in almost every single one of her books.

But, nonetheless, I loved James, and I stuck around to hear more of Wills quips. Anything for James.

I also read almost all of Cassandra Clare's books one after another, and I don't really recommend it, because while I'm up to date with family trees and inside jokes, I was ready for this one to end so I could move on to other books and series. 

I enjoyed this read, but it was entirely too long. 

Everything took what felt like ten years to get going, and I didn't like some of the perspectives. There were definitely way too many. 

Also, a death (with someone I won't mention) happened, and it felt entirely forced and sad for no reason. I noticed way back that if a character doesn't have a front focus romance, or has a one-sided love, will die. It happens in almost every single one of her books.

But, nonetheless, I loved James, and I stuck around to hear more of Wills quips. Anything for James.

I also read almost all of Cassandra Clare's books one after another, and I don't really recommend it, because while I'm up to date with family trees and inside jokes, I was ready for this one to end so I could move on to other books and series. 

i have been in the shadowhunter world for so long and finishing this last book feels like the end of an era (until the next series lol) especially with the tid parents involved in this one

i just love this friend group that this series in particular encompasses. compared to the other series, this one focuses more on the characters and their own growth along with their relationships/friendships with one another.

this isn't a full five stars for me because idk this conclusion book didn't feel resolute for me. i love the epilogue but idk what it is, i just wasn't fully satisfied with how everything was wrapped up. personally the ending felt rushed and underwhelming. maybe bc there are so many characters that the author didn't have time to fully focus and flesh out each one. for example, matthew like i love his character and his development but i wish there was more

maybe bc the beginning was such a rollercoaster with shocking moments and the high of it all, then towards the end, it felt like the high went down. at some point, i just wanted to get it over with and finish the book. like the book didn't have to be this long

honestly good thing i didn't have to wait years for this bc i would've been so disappointed.

i have been in the shadowhunter world for so long and finishing this last book feels like the end of an era (until the next series lol) especially with the tid parents involved in this one

i just love this friend group that this series in particular encompasses. compared to the other series, this one focuses more on the characters and their own growth along with their relationships/friendships with one another.

this isn't a full five stars for me because idk this conclusion book didn't feel resolute for me. i love the epilogue but idk what it is, i just wasn't fully satisfied with how everything was wrapped up. personally the ending felt rushed and underwhelming. maybe bc there are so many characters that the author didn't have time to fully focus and flesh out each one. for example, matthew like i love his character and his development but i wish there was more

maybe bc the beginning was such a rollercoaster with shocking moments and the high of it all, then towards the end, it felt like the high went down. at some point, i just wanted to get it over with and finish the book. like the book didn't have to be this long

honestly good thing i didn't have to wait years for this bc i would've been so disappointed.

Ariella

Necesito tiempo para ordenar mis pensamientos y esperar a no cambiar la puntuación a tres.

Bueno, no cumplió su papel como la final de una trilogía y eso fue creo lo que me hizo sentir confusa en el momento que terminé.
No sé si Cassandra tiene planeado hacer cortos para los agujeros argumentales (si fue intencional o no), pero normalmente en las finales suele cerrar muy bien y ESO NO HUBO ACÁ.

Me duele mucho darle 3 a una novela donde WILL HERONDALE está pero después de días de haber terminado me di cuenta que no tuvo un gran impacto la final, ay.

I love all of Cassandra Clare’s books, ever since I was little and picked up the first book. The only thing I would change was the end fight. I really wanted some characters to have their moment. But still she knocked it out of the park. As long as she will write I will read. 

I have no words to describe how PERFECT this book was. My brain is literally just in a constant cycle of screaming crying and throwing up. 

But do know that I will be sending my therapist bill to Miss Cassandra for severe emotional damage.

Bea 

I have no words to describe how PERFECT this book was. My brain is literally just in a constant cycle of screaming crying and throwing up. 

But do know that I will be sending my therapist bill to Miss Cassandra for severe emotional damage.

Chain of Thorns

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