Chain of Iron is a twisty continuation of Cassandra Clare’s Last Hours series

Cassandra Clare’s bestselling Shadowhunters series is fairly sprawling, and now spans multiple trilogies, spin-offs, prequels, and sequels. At this point, you likely already know whether Clare’s writing and worldbuilding are for you – perhaps you tried her original Mortal Instruments series, or the Freeform television show that adapted it – but, as someone who originally couldn’t get into this universe at all, it’s worth repeating: Her Last Hours trilogy makes a great entry point. Chain of Iron is the second book in this trilogy, and it’s a propulsive magical adventure full of soapy twists, dangerous demons, and a menacing series of potentially unsolvable murders.

Set in Edwardian London, the series follows the children of a group of characters who were originally featured in Clare’s Infernal Devices trilogy, a group of books whose existence you don’t really need to be aware of in any way other than to recognize that several of the older characters in that story appear in this one. The Last Hours trilogy follows a group of friends who refer to themselves as the Merry Thieves,: James Herondale, Matthew Fairchild, Thomas and Christopher Lightwood, and Cordelia Carstairs. Most of these surnames will be familiar to anyone who knows anything about Clare’s wider universe – warlock Magnus Bane also makes an appearance – but it’s easy to get to know all these figures as characters separate and apart from their larger family trees.

Chain of Iron picks up generally where Chain of Gold left off, with James Herondale and Cordelia Carstairs set to marry, despite the fact that he’s in love with someone else and she’s keeping secrets about her true feelings for him. (This is the early 1900s and no matter how strong and self-sufficient our female leads may seem, they still have to worry about things like their reputations.) Elsewhere, a series of disturbing murders has all of London wondering who’s tracking down Shadowhunters and stealing the very runes tattooed into their skin?

Despite the fact that the bulk of this novel is devoted to tracking down the identity of this potential serial killer, its relationships that ultimately drive this story. (A fact which, I am told, tends to be true of most of Clare’s trilogies.) James, Cordelia, and Matthew are all characters struggling with deep personal issues even as they circle around one another romantically. James is still obsessed with Grace Blackthorn, unaware that she’s magically compelling him to care about her. Though pining for James, Cordelia is determined to make the most of the year of marriage he’s promised her, while dealing with the return of the alcoholic father whose shame ruined her family. Matthew, for his part, is busy turning into an alcoholic himself, suppressing his feelings for Cordelia and dealing with a dark secret that haunts every day of his life.

But they’re not the only Chain of Gold characters with romantic drama in their lives. James’ younger sister Lucie is able to both see and command the dead – truly a power that one hopes this series actually digs into properly before it’s over – and has been using it to communicate with Grace’s dead brother, Jessie, and possibly something more. Now she’ll try to find a way to bring him back to life, despite the fact that dark magic like necromancy is specifically forbidden by the Shadowhunter Enclave.

This is a story where everyone’s keeping secrets, even from the people they love most, and angst and potential heartbreak abound. Chain of Iron may be a very in the midst of things sort of story – there are multiple cliffhangers at the end – but it’s also a great character study as well, which is something that cannot always be said about the books in this universe.

Chain of Iron is available now wherever books are sold. Let us know if you’re adding it to your must-read pile this month!