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amchara · 1 year

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Chain of Thorns - First Impressions

I finished the book a couple hours ago and needed to take a bit of time to formulate my thoughts. I’m a fast reader and admittedly, this can mean I skim in some places / go over some details so doubtless I’ll pick up on more when I do my reread.

They got long so underneath the cut… but here are my first impressions of Chain of Thorns:

I liked it a lot. I didn’t love it. It suffered from many of the same issues that plagued Queen of Air and Darkness and maybe even a bit more in this book. Namely, too big of a cast, too much plot to explore decently but more importantly - lack of follow-through/consequences for characters’ actions or events in the book.

Some initial points:

SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD’VE DIED/BEEN EXILED/BEEN LOST IN ANOTHER REALM. I like the happy endings they got (I have much love for these characters). But it didn’t feel earned. :/

Also the pacing throughout much of the book was breakneck, bar a few quiet interludes. Some storylines - Lucie, Jesse and Malcolm’s visit to Cornwall and Matthew and Cordelia’s Paris interlude could’ve used a few more pages to really allow the characters to develop/explore why they were really there before pulling them back in service of the main plot.

Let’s start off with what I did love:

My love for Matthew, Cordelia and James’ characters was maintained and possibly even grew during this final book. I just - *BITES FIST* Honestly, I’m pretty damn happy where things ended up when it comes to the interpersonal relationships and dynamics between the three of them.

I loved that we got Fairstairs in Paris, though I will pout (and almost certainly finish that one fanfic for…) it was so little. Just- James could’ve arrived later on? Not been waiting in their room? *forever mourns the lost opportunity*

I especially appreciated the brokenness of the three of them as they returned to London. The time it took them to muddle through, process and re-discover their true feelings post-Gracelet revelation and how it shaped the course. But how they all still desperately cared about one another and it never wavered even when they were furious with each other.

Controversial opinion - though I know Bry will back me up on this - but James and Matthew’s parabatai relationship is the best one out of all the TSC parabatai - yes, even Will and Jem, who were idealised. Matthew and James’ relationship is that perfect mix of love, frustration, co-dependency that you need for a parabatai relationship.

It rose to new heights in Chain of Thorns, as James was finally able to break down Matthew’s walls and help him begin to heal, not only with his drinking but also his self-loathing. And Matthew finally gets his friend back who has been suppressed emotionally for three years (!!!) and you can just feel the intensity and pull of the relationship between the two of them, for good or bad, throughout the book. The scenes in Edom just killed me.

And Cordelia is - maybe not glue but it’s just - something separate but essential between the three of them. The mirror, perhaps? Reflecting their best selves upon her. And Matthew and James’ unconditional love heals the part of her that feels she has to be useful or heroic to be loved

Look romantic or platonic, you cannot convince me otherwise that they weren’t all meant to be together in some fashion, even if it’s not a classic OT3, but maybe more V-triad? <brb just thinking about a heronfairstairs fic set in the 1910s>

UGH. I AM EMOTIONAL JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. It’s a messier, truer to life version of the Jem-Tessa-Will situation (especially if Jem hadn’t become a Silent Brother) and you won’t be able to convince me otherwise.

Cordelia, she broke my heart with Matthew but I accept it. I knew she was going to end up with James. But I do think- much like Tessa was with Jem, Matthew and Cordelia’s love for each other is a quieter flame than the ones they have for their respective Herondales, and it’s a shame it wasn’t explored more.

I think the one sticking point for Cordelia and Matthew in terms of romance is Matthew’s drinking. Cordelia has trauma around her father’s drinking and to see it reflected in Matthew (even if he is successful in his sobriety) means there’s that extra hurdle if they were to enter a romantic relationship. Cordelia is pragmatic enough that she knows she does not want the same type of relationship her mother and father had.

James and Cordelia- I did enjoy their ups and downs. I do enjoy them together. I think I am always going to be slightly put out that it didn’t end more tragically. Herondales always win in love- and the way that James’ story and history has been framed and referenced in SO MANY OTHER Shadowhunter books made me think possibly there would be something different this time- that he’d lose one of his loves, either Cordelia or Matthew.

Quick points individually:

Cordelia - My girl remains the best- she is the best combo of heroine - kind but proud, reckless but also caring and straightforward in her dealings. She can’t abide to be cruel but she can be ruthless (her cutting Tatiana’s throat- dammmmmnnnnn)

James - *checks* Not feral enough, lol. Yes, we did get many moments… especially post-Paris and ummm, that scene where he and Cordelia consummated their marriage but could’ve used more. Will come back with more coherent thoughts later.

Matthew… oh my darling Matthew. I’m going to have to come back to him in a separate post, I think. Having just read his arc in this book- I get why Cassie didn’t kill him off or separate him from his friends. There was already so much hopelessness woven into his storyline and a lot of uncertainty if he’s even going to succeed in remaining sober, any tragic ending would’ve felt pointlessly cruel, I think.

Ultimately, his journey isn’t over but I appreciate the steps he took during this book. At the same time, it feels so strange we ended the book with Matthew’s future still a large question mark. Still time for him to get lost in Faerie!! I ultimately believe he has a promising yet tragic life to lead, and I want to know what it is…

Other things I loved:

The Merry Thieves relationship in Chain of Thorns >>>>>>

Especially the scenes where they all go to help Matthew get through his first couple days of non-drinking. And of Thomas and Christopher each going to respectively check on James and Matthew. I loved their dynamic during this book, which I think we saw in Chain of Gold but less so in CHain of Iron so was happy to see its return.

Thomas and Alastair - were perfection. No notes.

I have to admit I might’ve skimmed over a few of their scenes that were cute but were interludes during other tense moments, when I was dying to know what happened to other characters we had just cut away from… but I am going to savour their interactions on my reread.

Alastair and Cordelia’s sibling relationship also remains amazing. As admitted before, I am a Carstairs family fan and this book definitely helped cement that.

After a few Christopher POVs, I definitely got the sinking feeling he was a goner. And yep- I was correct- as were quite a few others in fandom. He wasn’t one of my favourites but his development in the first half of Chain of Thorns before his death- his expanded interactions with the other Merry Thieves and his growing relationship with Grace were a delight to read and I am sad he didn’t make it. Also, I am such a sucker for an Orpheus and Eurydice callback so I absolutely adored the moment in the laboratory.

I think I’ll need to reread before I can fully opine on Grace’s arc in Chain of Thorns but my first impressions were favourable. I like that she didn’t get the full redemption arc right away. I appreciated she told Cordelia what had happened with her and James but it was strange we didn’t get that scene but were told it? Hmm, this was something that bothered me a few times- there were some important conversations between characters which should’ve happened ‘on page’ but didn’t.

Things I was relatively meh about:

Anna and Ariadne - they were… fine? I absolutely get they are some people’s fav characters but I think out of all of the characters, many of their scenes would’ve been the easiest to cut, and it might’ve made a more cohesive, tightly-plotted story.

Jesse and Lucie - honestly, I think the plot with Belial overshadowed the consequences of Lucie bringing Jesse back to life. No, he wasn’t just half alive, he WAS DEAD. You did necromancy, Lucie- accept it! I hate that it all seemingly was swept under the rug. :/

And sadly, Jesse as a character in Chain of Thorns was… boring. I’m sad to say it but it’s true! I appreciated him so much more as a sarky ghost.

Lucie’s plotlines… I need to reread but I think it’s a combo of Lucie’s storylines not getting a proper chance to breathe, like- what she and Malcolm were going to do to raise Annabel in Cornwall, or being too tied to what she can do with her ghost powers to help against Belial. She felt more like a plot device in this book than the others, and I disliked that for her. Maybe that will change upon reread but ehh. Wasted potential overall on both Jesse and Lucie.

Overall plotline with Belial - less interesting this time around? Hmm. Need to pay more attention to it on reread but first views were less than favourable. That being said, I guess he and Tatiana were quite clever with the Watchers and the plotline with the Cornwall Institute.

I enjoyed all of the Lilith-Cordelia interactions though - super fun to watch them spar verbally, and loved that Lilith kept implying that if Cordelia fullfilled her oath as paladin, she could have BOTH Matthew and James. Lilith isn’t shocked by that sorta thing, lol.

Lastly, the inherent bigotry and cruelty of the Enclave was used more as a plot device to get the adults out of the way for the big showdown and I hated that immensely- especially as all the fuss about Tessa and Lucie and James’ bloodline was again, all resolved by the end of the book. Booo, no lasting consequences.

This is very long for first impressions but anyway… I’m glad I’ve written it all down. Happy to engage in comments/reblogs but let’s discuss civilly, and of course - tag all your spoilers!

#chain of thorns #chain of thorns spoilers #chot spoilers #chain of thorns spoiler #chot spoiler #reader of books #cot spoilers #cot spoiler #the last hours #matthew fairchild #james herondale #cordelia carstairs

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imherongraystairstrash · 1 year

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For every “shut up Thomas!” in chot, I got five years added to my life span

#tsc #tlh #thomas lightwood #chot spoiler #chot

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hahahax30 · 1 year

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#chain of thorns spoiler #chain of thorns spoilers #chot spoiler #chot spoilers #matthew fairchild #charles fairchild #alastair carstairs #thomas carstairs

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galbinuscarnation · 1 year

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It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me

#chot spoiler #chain of thorns #chain of thorns spoilers

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melanielocke · 1 year

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ChoT spoilers!!!

I couldn't sleep last night and then I somehow went looking for spoilers because I wanted some confirmation that Alastair doesn't die and I kind of expected to find nothing substantial (I really don't care about the whole Matthew/Cordelia thing except that Alastair should get to chase both James and Matthew around shouting at them)

But then I found out who actually dies, and it was a picture of a page so I'm assuming it's real? Which was not part of the plan, though it was not Alastair...

Naturally, afterwards I still couldn't sleep.

#chot spoiler #chain of thorns spoilers #chain of thorns

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drpepperisthedarlingofmysoul · 1 year

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I'M JUST SUPPOSED TO GET OVER KIT DYING JUST LIKE THAT?? LIKE WTF?!?!

Like no i don't want to jusf move onto Tatiana bc KIT'S JUST DIED

I love Kit with all my heart and he can just die like that??

I get it was a theory that he would die bc surely he would create more things, achieve more but-

If Matthew dies then that'll just put the lid on the coffin

Oh and then with Grace writing on the fire message about Christopher making them and-

The tears have finally come

#chot spoiler #chot spoilers #chain of thorns spoiler #christopher lightwood #chain of thorns #chot #this has actually made me go through the 5 stages of greif #*grief #to Cassie i love you for this pain

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astriefer · 1 year

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STYXIE I AM IN SO MUCH PAIN AND IM ALSO SO HAPPY I—

i’m basically speed reading at this point because i just can’t stop even if i wanted to make this book last more than three days but i can’t stop kanwknsksnsjw alastair and thomas are always kissing in every fucking place even if alastair is supposed to leave i’m sure he won’t but still and matthew my baby. he is finally accepting the help from the thieves and they all slept together on the floor and cordelia finally learned the truth and her and james are finally happy ALSO HOW HORNY IS JAMES HE SHOT A DOORKNOB and lucie and jesse can’t touch without her falling into darkness and baby alexander was taken and ksnsksnsksnjaqbha i know what’s coming, i know casaie is planning to take another set of three lightwood siblings and leave them as two BUT I AM NOT READY TO READ THAT I AM DREADING THE MOMENT AND NOW THEY’RE ALL GATHERED AT THE INSTITUTE ALON BECAUSE THE ADULTS ARE BEING TRIED IN IDRIS AND TATIANA JUST GOT HERE I AM SCARED I AM NOT READY TO LOSE KIT OKAY??? i’m sorry i’m not even making sense but jansjsnwbwjaha how can i make sense while reading this book

CECE MY LOVE I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL PROFOUNDLY fjsjd the need to make the book last longer but you just can't stop reading! Such a mood, we're all in it T^T

Alastair and Thomas are basically carrying this book I don't care I just love them so much they can't stop wanting each other and I'm not recovering from this (Alastair please don't leave there's an English boy who wants you to speak poetry and kiss him in front of the whole enclave-) Matthew!! You're so right!!! I'm very satisfied that he lets himself have them, that they're here for him 🥺

Lol SINCERELY finally they can be happy!! (and horny jail for James, for eternity) I'm not prepared to talk about little alex suffering through this I was so taken aback that I couldn't believe the words I read it just was so *shudder*

SENDING YOU A HUG BECAUSE NO NO YOU'RE MAKING A LOT OF SENSE NONE OF US WAS READY I HATE THIS AND KIT DID NOTHING WRONG IN HIS LIFE I CAN'T FORGIVE CC FOR THIS

#I'm sorry for not seeing this before!! I was all utterly immersed in a book and tumblr left it buried and didn't show me #cece tag #all the blankets for a heartbroken soul and and all the cute kittens (LIKE YOUR OWN ) to pat <3 #mutuals #asks #I'm just screaming nonsense I'm sorry #cot spoilers #chot spoiler #chot spoilers #chain of thorns spoliers

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matthewscordelias · 1 year

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if you want chot spoilers message me

i know who died and lives

#chot spoilers #chot spoiler #chain of thorns #chot

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roseofthomas · 1 year

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alastair thinking sona isn’t gonna react well when she finds out that he likes men, meanwhile sona suspected all along, talks shit about his ex boyfriend and gives her (future) son in law her blessing

#would’ve loved to see the scene where he tells her that him and thomas are dating now #alastair carstairs #sona carstairs #thomas lightwood #chain of thorns spoiler #chot spoiler #the last hours #chain of thorns

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pansexual-lilychen · 8 months

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i am literally so deep in denial that i actually keep genuinely forgetting that christopher is dead

#chot spoiler #chain of thorns #chain of thorns spoiler #chot #tsc #cassandra clare #the last hours #tlh #chain of thorns spoilers #shadowhunters #christopher lightwood

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lvciethorn · 1 year

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💖 "Matthew wound a curl of his fair hair around his forefinger, a nervous gesture left over from childhood" 💖

#book #shadowhunters #cassandra clare #chain of gold #chain of iron #chain of thorns #chain od thorns spoiler #SPOILER #CHOT SPOILER

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livia-dovehallow · 1 year

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I hated this book, the person who died was done so dirty, more emotion and pages to rather stupid stuff than an actual death

**SPOILER WARNING**

that is my #1 complaint about this book (though i have many others too). is that christopher literally got no dedicated mourning or grief or even an on page funeral. barbara got more mourning than christopher.

not to say barbara didn't deserve to be mourned (because she did!) but for her to have gotten more on page mourning than christopher (a main protagonist!) ruffles my feathers

so much focus on horny teenagers that a perfectly lovely, kind, compassionate boy is murdered by his own aunt and we get maybe a handful of passing lines about it in the WHOLE SECOND HALF of the book after it

#maggie answers #kind anons #MASSIVE SPOILERS #chain of thorns #chain of thorns spoilers #chain of thorns spoiler #chot spoilers #chot spoiler #tlh spoilers #tlh spoiler #the last hours #the last hours spoilers #the last hours spoiler #spoilers #spoiler #spoiler alert

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imherongraystairstrash · 1 year

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Gabriel had to see a son almost brutally murdered in front of him, then had to heal him from a rune inked in his chest that is the most cruel of killing a child, to a week later find out Tatiana killed the other one with Cecily’s weapon of choice

And I dont buy Gabriel didnt went crazy atTatiana when she was holding a knife on Alex throat

HOLY CRAP I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT OMG!! (talking about Kit being murdered by Cecy's weapon of choice). I totally think that Gabrily suffered wayy to much in this book and that, especially after the Alex scene, Cassie could have left them alone.

About Gabriel going crazy, he really couldn't do anything about it; if he moved, Tatiana would have killed his son, and I think his fear kept him at bay. Of course, I don't doubt that after she left, he was one of the first shadowhunters out on the street searching for his son.

But what I think is super unfair is that Gabriel is mentioned only 7 times in this entire 800 page book, I can't remember cecily, but it was way less than 20. I think if you're going to make two parents suffer that much, they should appear way more than that. We got more Sophideon than we did Gabrily, which I never complain about Sophideon content. In fact, I thought she the scene with Thomas and he family PERFECTLY, and we should have seen something like that with Kit and gabrily. Like truly, the first time we visit Gabriel and Cecily's london house (if I'm not mistaken) in the entire tsc chronicles was in this book, in that one scene with Alex. I think she could have written something in their house. Like a Kit POV where he leaves home and Cecily asks him where he's going. Or Anna visiting them at some point. I think they didn't get enough parent-child dynamic content from them and it would have been sweet.

I'm praying that Cassie ends up writing a collection of novellas in the tlh/tid, and that there's one about Gabriel and Cecily, though I doubt she'll do that.

#chot spoiler #cot spoilers #chain of thorns spoilers #christopher lightwood #cecily lightwood #gabriel lightwood #tsc #chot

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