Cassandra Clare’s Chain of Iron turns the screw on every promise set up in Chain of Gold. The result is a sweeping YA fantasy that mixes Edwardian glamour with murder mystery, star-crossed romance, and the kind of found family dynamics that make Shadowhunter books so addictive. It is the second novel in The Last Hours trilogy, and it delivers bigger stakes, sharper character work, and an ending that will shred your nerves.
What it is about
London’s Shadowhunters are being hunted. A knife-wielding killer stalks the night, leaving bodies and no trace of how the murders were done. In the middle of the fear, Cordelia Carstairs enters a marriage of appearances with James Herondale to save her reputation, while the blade Cortana suddenly burns her touch. James struggles under the lingering pull of Grace Blackthorn. Lucie Herondale pursues a secret that blurs the line between life and death. The Merry Thieves try to protect the city and each other, even as their own secrets mount.
Clare braids these threads into a tight mystery that never forgets the beating heart of the series. The clues feel fair, the reveals feel earned, and the personal consequences are brutal.
Characters who carry the book
- Cordelia Carstairs is the standout. Steadfast, perceptive, and deeply compassionate, she faces duty, desire, and an oath that may cost more than she can pay.
- James Herondale finally steps out of Will and Jace’s shadow. He is thoughtful and quietly fierce, which makes his conflicts with love and legacy hit harder.
- Matthew Fairchild is heartbreaking. Charm is his armor, self-loathing his poison. His arc is tender and scary in equal measure.
- Lucie Herondale becomes bolder and more secretive. Her choices drive eerie, gothic turns in the plot.
- Grace Blackthorn moves from cipher to complex. The book gives her motive, history, and the first glimmers of a possible redemption.
- Ships to watch: Jordelia for slow-burn ache, Thomastair for knightly tenderness, Anna and Ariadne for longing done right.
Why it works
- Atmosphere: Edwardian London gleams by day and curdles by night. Balls, bookshops, and back alleys are staged with lush detail.
- Ensemble chemistry: Banter, loyalty, and ride-or-die rescues give warmth to the darkest chapters.
- Romance and angst: Misunderstandings, enchanted obstacles, and impossible choices create emotional whiplash in the best way.
- Lore connections: Fans of The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices will catch delicious ties that reframe later events without alienating new readers.
Where it may test you
- Angst tolerance: If miscommunication makes you want to throw a book across the room, prepare your wrist.
- Pacing: The first hundred pages luxuriate in character beats before the mystery tightens. If you want immediate action, be patient.
- Cliffhanger: The final chapters detonate personal and plot bombshells. You will want the next book instantly.
Final verdict
Chain of Iron is Clare at the top of her Shadowhunter game. It blends murder mystery, romantic turmoil, and rich historical fantasy into a compulsive page-turner that deepens every character you loved from Chain of Gold. For readers who crave high drama, found family, and a London paved with secrets, this is essential reading.
Ready to hunt the killer and have your heart wrecked in the process? Get your copy of Chain of Iron here: https://amzn.to/3WqcIKY
