Chain of Gold

By Cassandra Clare

Book Overview

From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family's ruin. Cordelia's mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia's new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before--these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers--and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1481431870
• ISBN13: 9781481431873
• Release Date: March 2020
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

A fantastic new series in the Shadowhunters world

I absolutely loved this book. The world building was amazing and turn of the century London made for an atmospheric and evocative setting. I loved the characters and became attached to them quickly. I particularly liked the characters of Cordelia, Lucie and Anna. The plot was engaging and complex with a chilling and clever enemy. I whipped through this 582 page book like lightning. I couldn't put it down. There is no doubt that Cassandra Clare is a major talent in the fantasy genre. You don't have to read the Infernal Devices series first to understand Chain of Gold although I'm sure it would enrich your reading experience. I can't wait for the next installment in the series as there are definitely some unresolved problems.

Same ol same ol

I think Cassandra Claire has run out of fresh ideas and i really wish she would shelve the entire thing and start something new.... however, I will admit, I am a huge fan of Cassandra Clare. I have been following and reading her books since the release of City of Glass. And before reading ACOTAR, I never thought I would find a trilogy better than Clockwork Princess... But it's not even the story that is bothering me now...it's the plot! The Clave NEVER listens! They are always skeptical, or prejudice, or slow to respond, or disbelieving in the knowledge of "children". That is like the central point of ALL the series. I think it worked for Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices...but for the same thing to be going down in the two new series PLUS some of the novellas (I admit I haven't read Red Scrolls or Ghosts)...it's getting boring and predictable.

The Next Generation of Shadow Hunters

I came into this book looking to get back into the world of shadow hunters and was not disappointed. I was excited to have some of my favorite characters from the first books get either named dropped or make an appearance *winks* Magnus* Cordelia Carstairs was an amazing character throughout this book. She was strong, loyal, and willing to do what was needed to help others. I loved the relationship between Lucie Herondale and Cordelia especially the book Lucie was writing about Cordelia was perfect. I loved how the author was able to tie in the other plot lines from the other series within this world. This book had a great ending, which set up for the next books to come. The only change I would recommend is this book could have been shorter! I did not really need the whole family tree given for each character when they made appearance. Overall, I liked this book and am looking forward to the next book!

Chain of Gold is wonderful!

My favorite books by Cassandra Clare are the Infernal Devices trilogy with Jem and Will and Tessa. I love this book because it continues in the same timeline/place and it is about the children of Will and Tessa and their contemporaries. It has the same kind of exciting twists and I really like Cordelia and Lucie and James. They are all strong, likeable characters. It did take me a bit of time to get all the characters and who they are related to straight in my mind, but once I did, the story just sped by. I am glad there are going to be more books in this series, even if it means that this one ends with several agonizing questions and mysteries. In this time, demons have left London for awhile but now they are back and changed and it is up to James and his gang of Merry Thieves and Lucie and Cordelia to figure out why and how to stop them before they spell ruin for the Shadowhunters. There are new powers to get a hang of and much action. Cassandra really know how to write a compelling story and I can't wait for the next one. I hope it comes out quickly!