Review by Srijaa Chatterjee
Margaret K. McElderry Books, January 2023
784 pages, Hardcover, 29.99 CAD, 9781481431934
Young Adult, Ages 14+
Fantasy, Historical Fiction
“When we are home?” said James softly.
“Here we are, with all those we love, and those who love us. We are home.”
Demons. Darkness. The Underworld. An elite race of warriors created by the Angel to protect humanity. What’s not to love?
Set in 19th-century London, Chain of Thorns follows Cordelia Carstairs’ tumultuous journey as she’s torn between the one she loves, and keeping her dignity intact. The much-awaited finale to The Last Hours trilogy, Clare turns up the heat as James Herondale—Tessa Gray and William Herondale’s son—battles his demonic half while struggling to keep Grace Blackthorn at bay.
The painful love triangle between James, Grace, and Cordelia continues to keep readers on their toes as James takes control of his destiny and realizes the complete potential of containing both demon and angel blood. Simultaneously, Cordelia must come to terms with her unrequited love, though the truth is far from what she imagines. As the mysterious string of brutal murders continue, the Herondale siblings James and Lucie are forced to confront their dark lineage — Belial, one of the nine Princes of Hell, is their grandfather. Lucie begins to take advantage of her ability to control the dead, whereas James and his gang of Merry Thieves plot to entrap the Prince.
Loyalty, sacrifice, loss, and love form the foundations of Chain of Thorns, exploring relatable themes of grief and relationships in a fantasy world. The bonds of friendship forged during the war and looming dark times reflect human nature in seeking company, as loneliness forces Grace to commit grave crimes. Clare creates a dangerous, desirable universe that I couldn’t help but pine to belong to, fighting demons, saving the world, and falling in love with the most perfect characters imaginable.
Though Clare is undeniably a masterful writer and a personal favourite of mine, Chain of Thorns unnecessarily continues the love triangle aspect, as the miscommunication between Cordelia and James has remained prevalent throughout much of the series. However, she weaves a beautiful tale that I could not put down, thirsty for the inevitable demise of Belial, and desperately rooting for James and Cordelia to finally acknowledge their love for each other.
I cried, I mourned, I fell in love with the world Cassandra Clare created. From beginning to end, she held my attention, and I found myself walking alongside the Merry Thieves on London’s chilly pavements, wishing for a sword slung across my back. The biblical references, the real-world landmarks, and the larger-than-life imagery made the book an obsessive experience, with Clare conjuring mythical demons and angels to create the perfect balance between reality and fantasy.
The astounding end to The Last Hours trilogy, Chain of Thorns will fascinate readers of all ages. Cordelia and James’ love story transcends the gravity of the demon-world encroaching upon London, yet both are interwoven until Cordelia is forced to make a choice between saving humankind and her soulmate. A nail-biting end to a beautiful story, Cassandra Clare successfully finishes yet another series that is sure to leave readers asking for more!
Srijaa Chatterjee is an English Literature and Creative Writing student at UBC from Delhi, India. There’s nothing she loves more than diving into a new book while the rain beats down upon the windows. Exploring new things, obsessing over the Taylor Swift, and falling in love with a new author week captures Srijaa’s personality in a nutshell.
YOUNG ADULTING 