Chain of Gold

Tracking information says that this book has been in Nashville, Tennessee since the 8th of February. Today is the 23rd and still no book! When I contacted USPS they said that no package had actually ever existed the tracking was on an empty container! I am disappointed beyond words. 😔 I was looking forward to starting a new series and I can't without the first book. I guess I will have to buy it again.

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.

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.

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!

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!