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alexandra_ninelives's review against another edition
2.0
I love shadowhunters, truly. However, I will never tolerate any weird love triangle in my books. Especially, if none of the characters have chemistry who should have, considering they are in the love triangle. This trilogy (I know the third book is not out yet) is not her greatest, I daresay it is the weakest series she’s written so far.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, the Edwardian London heartache!
Even though I think Cassandra Clare perfected the London-themed longing in The Infernal Devices, I really think she nailed down just about everything related to seemingly unrequited love, curses, and heartache here that she was great at with The Infernal Devices but perfect with here.
I'm unsure exactly what I expected coming into this book, but I certainly wasn't expecting to dive straight into the Herondale-Carstairs wedding that was promised at the end of Chain of Gold like we did, and I definitely wasn't expecting a murder mystery alongside it, either.
Pacing-wise, I definitely expected the wedding to be somewhere in Chain of Thorns and for the threat of danger to remain entirely focused on Belial and Tatiana. I just expected, with how slow and sprawling Chain of Gold was, I expected Chain of Iron to keep that pace up.
So the fact that Cassie decided to switch gears a little bit and kick up the pace was really pleasantly surprising. I think this Cassie's most methodical, thoughtful book, at least since Clockwork Prince, and it's romantic, adventurous, and delightful, just like all the other books in these Chronicles.
All right, let's get into some spoiler territory! First of all, everything with James and Cordelia is absolutely perfect. Their romance is extremely warm and special, casting into even further relief Jamie's false relationship with Grace and how twisted and evil the magic and the bracelet are. Despite their inner doubts throughout the book, their relationship, especially their marriage in general, was a really steadying, lovely thing throughout.
But speaking of romance, this book is full of it! In Shadowhunter books past, there has been two, maybe three main couples that get a lot of focused, romantic scenes throughout, but this had James and Cordelia, Jesse and Lucie, Ariadne and Anna, Alastair and Thomas, and even a little hint at some future Grace and Christopher with some Will and Tessa thrown in for good measure.
But because all this romance is in the air, that means we have just as much melodrama in the air, too, and, as is usual for Clare, the way things crash together is exquisite.
I also thought the way this set up the conflict with Malcolm and Anabel in The Dark Artifices was really interesting and it will continue to leave me conflicted for anybody who chooses to read these books in chronological order once they're all out. I've always thought publication order is best and I think this really holds my argument up for me.
I'm eager as ever to find out what happens next and how everything wraps up for these young Shadowhunters and all their friends of Downworld, so I can't wait until the final book in this trilogy is out next year! Until then, I'll certainly be poring over that final scene at the train station for the cold months between now and Chain of Thorns!
Even though I think Cassandra Clare perfected the London-themed longing in The Infernal Devices, I really think she nailed down just about everything related to seemingly unrequited love, curses, and heartache here that she was great at with The Infernal Devices but perfect with here.
I'm unsure exactly what I expected coming into this book, but I certainly wasn't expecting to dive straight into the Herondale-Carstairs wedding that was promised at the end of Chain of Gold like we did, and I definitely wasn't expecting a murder mystery alongside it, either.
Pacing-wise, I definitely expected the wedding to be somewhere in Chain of Thorns and for the threat of danger to remain entirely focused on Belial and Tatiana. I just expected, with how slow and sprawling Chain of Gold was, I expected Chain of Iron to keep that pace up.
So the fact that Cassie decided to switch gears a little bit and kick up the pace was really pleasantly surprising. I think this Cassie's most methodical, thoughtful book, at least since Clockwork Prince, and it's romantic, adventurous, and delightful, just like all the other books in these Chronicles.
All right, let's get into some spoiler territory! First of all, everything with James and Cordelia is absolutely perfect. Their romance is extremely warm and special, casting into even further relief Jamie's false relationship with Grace and how twisted and evil the magic and the bracelet are. Despite their inner doubts throughout the book, their relationship, especially their marriage in general, was a really steadying, lovely thing throughout.
But speaking of romance, this book is full of it! In Shadowhunter books past, there has been two, maybe three main couples that get a lot of focused, romantic scenes throughout, but this had James and Cordelia, Jesse and Lucie, Ariadne and Anna, Alastair and Thomas, and even a little hint at some future Grace and Christopher with some Will and Tessa thrown in for good measure.
But because all this romance is in the air, that means we have just as much melodrama in the air, too, and, as is usual for Clare, the way things crash together is exquisite.
I also thought the way this set up the conflict with Malcolm and Anabel in The Dark Artifices was really interesting and it will continue to leave me conflicted for anybody who chooses to read these books in chronological order once they're all out. I've always thought publication order is best and I think this really holds my argument up for me.
I'm eager as ever to find out what happens next and how everything wraps up for these young Shadowhunters and all their friends of Downworld, so I can't wait until the final book in this trilogy is out next year! Until then, I'll certainly be poring over that final scene at the train station for the cold months between now and Chain of Thorns!
fionasfairytales's review against another edition
5.0
maybe my ya favorite book??? ever???
the writing, the setting, the plot, the mystery, the romance, the CHARACTERS--all chef's kiss. i want to reread it immediately, but also not because... pain.
all of the stars in the world for this book. i need chain of thorns in my hands NOW.
the writing, the setting, the plot, the mystery, the romance, the CHARACTERS--all chef's kiss. i want to reread it immediately, but also not because... pain.
all of the stars in the world for this book. i need chain of thorns in my hands NOW.
booksreadbycarla's review against another edition
5.0
Luci te amo
GRACE TE ODIO
Mathew que rayos estás haciendo lo vas a hechar a perder todo
Cordelia me caes bien pero te pasas
GRACE TE ODIO
Mathew que rayos estás haciendo lo vas a hechar a perder todo
Cordelia me caes bien pero te pasas
bshehu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tirednobara's review against another edition
5.0
i am broken. literally into two separate pieces. i did not have a good time.
saraalk's review against another edition
5.0
BRUH this was so good. I do feel unbelievably empty and have no idea what to do with myself. That’s what I call a good book. James and coredelia plzzz get your shit together bye
emma_jolee's review against another edition
4.0
uuuuhhhhhggggg. i love all the characters but they are actually all so dumb. like james are u kidding me get a freaking grip!!! matthew why must you be an alcoholic and in love w ur parabatis wife!? that has literally been done before!!!! anna literally ur in love with ariadne ADMIT IT! thomas going out walkin the streets with a murdereos demon on the loose!? i guess it worked out for u