Chain of Gold

By: Cassandra Clare

Narrated by: Finty Williams

INCLUDES “FAIRY TALE OF LONDON” A BONUS SHORT STORY FEATURING WILL AND TESSA

#1 New York Times bestseller

“A pure distillation of fantasy’s enchanting mirror held up to our own truths.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Richly imagined…rife with action, intrigue, and smoldering romance.” —Publishers Weekly

From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

Critic reviews

"YA fantasy lovers will not be able to multitask when listening to narrator Finty Williams's portrayal of Shadowhunter Cordelia Carstairs. Fans of the author will be nostalgic and enlivened by this new generation of Shadowhunters, which remixes everything we love about Clare's original Shadowhunter Chronicles with an additional vibrant cast of characters to fall in love with. Williams's portrait of Cordelia's spunky and empowered personality adds life to the story, shepherding listeners into a world of vampires, warlocks, and magical elements sure to delight and entice. With its romance, dark legacy, and false accusations, this story will keep listeners riveted and eager for more."

Eloquent. Entrancing. Exquisite.

A rare, priceless diamond by Cassandra Clare.
Her prose flows like music, her plot is woven in gold and her characters are dreams made true.

⚖️ Plot: I would have queued for days to buy this book just for the bonus story of Will and Tessa’s wedding that we were promised. And it was only when I finished it that it truly sunk in for me that what Clare’s gifting us is another full trilogy of Will and Tessa’s life after marriage! The fact that the rest of the plot is staggeringly brilliant is an added bonus.

🗺 World: For someone who doesn’t particularly like London, it always amazes how much more I appreciate it through Clare’s eyes. It’s a special brand of skill to make even the bleakest of weather sound so romantic. Each time that I’m sure I must’ve seen it all and met every demon there is, she brings in new supernatural and I’m back to learning anew.

💑 Characters: I‘m truly delighted to see this seamless blend of familiar and new characters. This was the link I was missing in the huge time skips between the different series. I wonder if this is why we have a mature sounding Finty Williams as the narrator here. While her reading pace was much slower that I like, her performances were commendable, especially in the Welsh accent of my darling Will!

Beautiful & Complex

I find all of Cassandra Clare’s books complex ,with lots of subplots, action and romance. Knowledge of previous series which contain the characters is also very helpful. I was wishing there was a book where I could just look up the characters! With so many characters in a book is sometimes difficult to follow, especially when you’re listening to a book. The narration was very good, I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Herondale’s Love but Once

Oh, Will Herondale, how I’ve missed you. I’m so excited for new characters! Anna Lightwood is a stone cold fox, ya’ll. I cannot wait to start Chain of Iron. The story is fast paced, romantic, and thrilling. Something for everyone.

Another Amazing Book!

Falling in love with all the Characters and I can’t get Enough of the story, the merry thieves I live for them.

I already have a character i highly despise and dislike and I feel like nothing can redeem This character but I know how Cassandra Clare is she finds a way to redeem the most unlikeable characters sometimes lol so we’ll see 👀

Really have to agree with what a certain warlock says at the end ;)

Already started the next book in the series! I’m so excited for more!

Great side story

Loved hearing more into this Shadow Hunter tale. At first it was mostly following Gem’s story as a Silent Brother but about half way through it was mostly following Tessa/Will’s children so it was a lil confusing as I thot it was about Gem. But I enjoyed it. I liked the ppl they chose to speak. They were easy to follow and listen to. I am, and forever will be, a fan of this fantasy world of the Shadow Hunters.