Chain of Gold

"Chain of Gold" is the thrilling first book in Cassandra Clare's "The Last Hours" trilogy, set in 1903 London within the popular Shadowhunter universe. It follows Cordelia Carstairs, a brave young warrior, as she attempts to restore her family's honor after her father is falsely accused. She reunites with childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale, becoming entangled in their vibrant, magical social circle. The story masterfully blends high-stakes demon battles with intricate romantic subplots, including Cordelia's hidden love for James, who is bound to another. It explores themes of duty, identity, prejudice, and the true cost of heroism, featuring a diverse cast of characters navigating societal expectations and supernatural threats. Parents should note the prominent romantic elements and moderate violence typical of YA urban fantasy.

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior with the blood of the angel Raziel. When her father is accused of a crime, she, her mother, and her brother travel to London, where she hopes to prove his innocence. She soon encounters James and Lucie Herondale, her childhood friends, and is drawn into their exciting, glittering, world. All the while she must hide her love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else. All this is interrupted by a series of demon attacks unlike anything the Shadowhunters have ever seen. They poison whoever they touch, can walk in daylight, and are all but impossible to kill. When London is quarantined, Cordelia and her friends face a horrible choice that will reveal the price of being a hero.