Summary: Chain of Thorns is a historical fantasy novel that follows the adventures and romances of a group of young Shadowhunters in Edwardian London. They face a new threat from Belial, the Prince of Hell, who is also the grandfather of James and Lucie Herondale. Cordelia Carstairs, who is married to James but secretly loves him, has to deal with being bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, who has stripped her of her Shadowhunter powers. She also has to choose between James and Matthew Fairchild, who has confessed his feelings for her. Meanwhile, Lucie Herondale tries to resurrect her true love, Jesse Blackthorn, from the dead,
while also pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. The other members of their circle, the Merry Thieves, have their own secrets and struggles, such as Anna Lightwood’s relationship with Ariadne Bridgestock, Thomas Lightwood’s attraction to Alastair Carstairs, and Christopher Lightwood’s inventions. Together, they have to face Belial’s army of demons and his sinister plan to destroy London and the Shadowhunters.
Review: Chain of Thorns is a satisfying conclusion to The Last Hours series, which is a spin-off of The Infernal Devices series. Fans of Cassandra Clare’s books will enjoy the familiar elements of her world-building, such as the runes, the parabatai bond, the Downworlders, and the references to other characters and events from previous series. The book is full of action, romance, humor, and drama, as well as some twists and surprises. The characters are well-developed and likable, each with their own personality and voice. The relationships between them are complex and realistic, with both sweet and heartbreaking moments. The book also explores themes such as family, friendship, loyalty, identity, sacrifice, and redemption. The writing style is engaging and descriptive, with a rich historical setting and a diverse cast of characters. The book is long (800 pages), but it does not feel slow or boring. It wraps up all the loose ends and gives a satisfying epilogue for each character. Overall, Chain of Thorns is a great read for fans of historical fantasy, romance, and adventure.
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About The Author
The author of Chain of Thorns is Cassandra Clare, a popular American writer of young adult fantasy novels. She was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1973, and spent much of her childhood traveling the world with her family. She lived in France, England, and Switzerland before she was ten years old. She started writing stories to amuse her classmates in high school, and later worked as a journalist for various entertainment magazines and tabloids. She began writing her first novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of New York City. City of Bones is the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, which has become a best-selling and award-winning franchise. She has also written other series set in the same universe, such as The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and The Last Hours. She is known for her rich world-building, diverse characters, and complex plots. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three cats.
