We’ve had the introduction into this new age of Shadowhunter fantasy in Chain of Gold, then we had the intense and gut-wrenching drama of Chain of Iron, and here it is – the finale, Chain of Thorns. The Last Hours Trilogy is full of amazing characters, new conundrums, conflicts and interactions to make your heart sing, and now it all comes together in Chain of Thorns.

Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter. After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial. Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone. For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

There is a lot to live up to with Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron carrying so much intrigue, conflict, and so many secrets, and I can understand how readers may feel like Chain of Thorns falls short in delivering the best ending for this trilogy. Things – while interesting and dangerous – seem to lose that tension and pacing that has built up over the series. I don’t think it is all doom and gloom for there are some excellent writing choices here, especially the ones that break my heart. While some character choices and trajectories may seem odd or inauthentic, I feel that Cassandra Clare did a job well done. There are so many stories within the Shadowhunter Chronicles now, and creating something that is not a copy of another character’s actions is going to be a challenge (especially when all these characters are related).

I said it in Lord of Shadows and I will say it again. Cassandra Clare is not afraid of doing the thing. You know, the thing. I won’t say anymore for those who have not read either book or the trilogies they feature in, but for those who have read them I will say that it is a refreshing and book-altering thing to do. Characters change, situations change, dialogue and interactions change, and it can be an incredible switch to make for the plot’s trajectory and the overarching elements of the story. I like it when authors do the thing because it also shows they are not afraid to give it a go and see what happens. There is a difference between doing it and doing it right, and I think Cassandra Clare easily falls into the latter category – while I might cry, it is a job well done in the story telling.

Chain of Thorns takes a few more personal emotional dramas and conflicts to the forefront of the plot than I can recall being done before in the chronicles, and I can see how some want a little more action and tension build up in this final book. I do belong in this camp to an extent – I think that there could have been a handful of moments where the tension could have picked up with some action, discussion, or decision of some kind that stirs the emotions of the reader, but I wouldn’t say that the book is lacking these moments to the point it falls flat. Again, Cassandra Clare has written so much in this Shadowhunter universe and for these characters especially I feel that the social and cultural customs of the time are contributing the to decisions in an accurate and authentic way.

If are a YA fantasy reader and you haven’t read The Last Hours trilogy yet, I highly implore you to do so. Chain of Thorns brings with it much fun and dramatic details to the end of a beautiful and engrossing trilogy and the characters are beyond incredible. Her writing is still as sharp, immersive, and compelling as always, and I know I will be coming back to this world time and time again.