Book Review: Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

An epic finale that divides and conquers

Chain of thorns (CoT) is the last instalment in Cassandra Clare’s The Last Hours trilogy set in Edwardian London, published in January 2023. As with all Clare’s shadowhunter series she excels at creating tension, drama and solving all these problems with a bow at the end. This particular novel had a lot of pressure to answer many agonising questions of heartache that had been bubbling in the cliffhanger of Chain of Iron (CoI). Particularly the love triangle of James Herondale, Cordelia Carstairs and Matthew Fairchild, which I found an interesting and complex dynamic that strained Matthew and James’ parabatai relationship. In the end, it was this strain that made their bond stronger at the end of CoT.  This love triangle placed each character in a difficult situation where each person did not want to hurt the other, creating unbearable heartache throughout the novel. Clare also notes the strain this relationship has on other characters, such as Thomas, Alistair and Christopher, who attempt to defuse the situation and discover what has happened. Throughout the series, the character’s relationships with each other deteriorate with a breakdown of communication and secret keeping that is finally resolved in this epic conclusion.

Character development

CoT is a long book with around 700 pages and has a large cast of characters with short impactful scenes that flip between characters in various locations and situations. This encourages the reader to continue reading and discover what will happen next for these characters through Clare’s skill at crafting short, impactful scenes full of description, action and emotion.Throughout the series, the characters are disconnected from each other – every individual having a secret or path to follow that was distant from their friends. It was comforting to see the camaraderie at the novel’s exposition that draws these characters back together to defeat their common enemy of Belial. This distant helped these characters grow but also become stronger as individuals and as a collective.

I enjoyed Thomas’ character development from a shy and unsure character to embracing his sexuality, his body image and complicated relationships with his family and friends. When Thomas was first introduced in Chain of Gold (CoG), I was unsure about how impactful his character was in that novel, and how his presence would develop throughout the series. Alistair captivated my attention in this final instalment because the reader is presented with his affectionate, caring and less acidic attitude and have his integration into the Merry Thieves group as a welcomed member instead of a figure who was seen as a bully, or Cordelia’s older brother. Although I did think Alistair was amusing in all three novels. I liked this change in dynamics between Alistair and the Merry Thieves as he navigates his growing relationship with Thomas. 

Dark themes and secrecy

Matthew’s struggle with alcoholism is a topic that has permeated throughout The Last hours with questions of – will Matthew be able to overcome his trauma in his past? Accept forgiveness? These are all questions that needed addressing in this epic finale.

Throughout the series Cordelia’s father Elias struggled with alcoholism and mirrored what Matthew could become if he continued down this path of self-destruction. Both Matthew and Alistair strongly dislike each other and this is evident in side comments and general body language when they are together. Alistair’s decision to help Matthew overcome his addiction emphasises his character development and acceptance within the group. Furthermore, the storyline of Matthew’s brother Charles being blackmailed for his sexuality brings a level of emotion and vulnerability to Charles’ character. Throughout the series, I thought his character was infuriating but excellently embodied his aims and motives of climbing the ranks of the Clave and furthering his political ambition. On the surface, Charles is presented as pretentious, heartless, politically orientated and uncaring towards his family and in particular Matthew. However, in CoT Clare turns this characteristics on it’s head and presents a vulnerable, insecure and confused version of Charles, who accepts the blackmail to protect his political career, his previous lover Alistair and establish a name for himself. The scene where Thomas, Alistair and Matthew confront Charles in the London institute’s office, while Will and Tessa Herondale are in Idris on trial, presents a vulnerable side to Charles who is barely keeping things together and is a reminder of the façade that is presented to the world is not always a representation of the inner world. The hostile and complex workings of Matthew and Charles’ relationship are forced into the spotlight. The uncertainty of whether Charles will do the right thing and relinquish the power the Inquisitor has over him. While Clare does not directly state how their brotherly relationship has changed on the novel’s epilogue, she does suggests that Charles writes and sends many letters to Matthew indicating they are on pleasanter terms. 

Villains and redemption

Finally, as with all shadowhunter books, Clare artfully creates the villains as devious and heartless, but also with emotions and vulnerabilities. These villains become morally grey and extremely fascinating to read and follow. Clare’s villains Belial, a Prince of Hell, and his accomplice Tatiana Blackthorn who puppets her adopted daughter Grace are particularly complex. Belial wished to walk on earth through his grandson James and reign over London instead of Edom, while Tatiana desires to restore life to her son Jesse. Both as valid ambitions but it is how they act that makes them villains. Grace on the other hand is gifted powers of control and seduction over men and uses this power at the command of Tatiana to seduce James into agreeing to Belial’s plan. However, this plan fails as James’ love for Cordelia is too strong and breaks the bond forced by Grace. I am divided by Grace’s redemption; on one hand I was infuriated by how she treated James and her interference with Cordelia, James and Matthew’s relationship. However, Grace helps defeat Belial giving her agency that she did not have under Tatiana’s control. I think she is an interesting villain turned hero who was clearly used as a puppet rather than maliciously acting out of her own agency. I think the true villain in this series was miscommunication and secrecy that cut deeper than any physical blade. Clare also used Cordelia’s deal as a Paladin with Lilith to create distance and isolation that makes an interesting dynamic.

Furthermore, Christopher’s death is one that is divisive with some fans feeling that Clare cast aside his character as irrelevant. During the Fane ‘Evening with Cassandra Clare’ in Dublin, Clare addressed this topic and mentioned that Christopher was always intended to die in the series from the start. In many ways, I can see why Clare did this. In CoT his character development is small and used as a vessel for the plot’s exposition, with his invention of fire messages. As much I adored Christopher’s character, his death emphasises the psychological and physical loss these characters have suffered. His demise acts as motivation for Anna to avenge his death and the other characters to use this as an event that deeply changes them. In many ways emulating life, that we face many changes that transform our attitudes and actions. It would have been unrealistic if these characters went through this final battle with Belial and were unharmed physically or mentally. 

Final thoughts…

In conclusion, CoT was a compelling, enthralling and entertaining read that neatly closed the series in a way that was pleasing, but also impactful and open-ended. I am hoping that Clare explores life after CoT for these characters through short stories and extras. For example, I am intrigued by Matthew’s yearlong voyage throughout Europe and would enjoy learning more about his exploits. Overall, I adore this series and would rank this as my favourite shadowhunter trilogy, Clare’s writing transported me into Edwardian London and has outdone herself in this epic finale. This series showcases Clare’s development as a writer from The Mortal Instruments series to now, she has produced, in my opinion, one of her best series. I will continue to follow Clare’s work as she branches into Adult fantasy novels with Sword Catcher set for publication Oct 2023.

What did you think? Is Grace redeemed for her actions? Who is your favourite character? Is Belial a good villain? Is Lilith a hero?

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