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3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars

I can't believe it's over... it's very hard to explain because I'm both satisfied and also not but in a very mixed emotions kind of way. We all know I'm a fan of Cassandra Clare and have thoroughly enjoyed many of her books, however I don't know if this was as good as what I hoped especially because I had a great time reading Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron.

To start I think I'm just very attached to these characters and the London setting as whole, and I will try and form my thoughts and feels in the best way I possibly can.

Characters

James and Cordelia are the the main characters for this series, and I really hate to say this, but I just find James to be very dull? There's just something I find bland, he's the head of the Merry Thieves, Cordelias husband, first born to Tessa and Will, grandson of Belial... and all I can think off for him in this was he was mooning after Cordelia and not actually telling people certain things. I think it's very hard when you've got such a strong cast of characters for them all to be amazing, BUT because he is literally the main protagonist I thought I'd feel a lot more towards him than I actually do. Cordelia is an okay female protagonist, but starting off early in the book I didn't like what she was doing and it just felt like she was using Matthew, and the fact that she was questioning things, but we all knew what was actually going to happen. I do however like the support system she brings to the group and that people always have her back. The friendships she made and how easily she settled into the group. Their relationship was meh, I don't know, I just can't put my finger on it.

Matthew, ohhhhhhhhh, I don't even know what to say. While in Paris I just knew what was happening, I think the way Cassie dealt with his alcohol abuse was done in such a way of compassion and seeing everyone try and help. I think seeing him begin to see things from a different perspective and be able to talk about things really helped him.

Lucie and Jesse, once again a very solid arc for the two of them, I really really loved seeing them be able to interact. Bringing Jesse into the group added to the dynamic with how he fit in. I loved how hard he tried with his training, and seeing him kind of "glow" with his acceptance from Lucies friends and family, it honestly really warmed my heart and I felt so happy for him! I will speak more on Jesse when I come to talk about Grace. Honestly I really enjoyed that we got to see Lucie and her communication and feels towards certain things/places and how her "power" works.

My favourite boys Thomas and Alastair! I want to scream to the rooftops how much I love these. We see so many sides to them, and honestly Alastair is probably my favourite character to come from this series. We really get to see Alastairs caring and loving side, and if you're on his good side he will clearly do anything for you. Seeing Thomas come into his own, accept who he is and tell people unwaveringly who he is. I felt like a proud mama bear.

Another two of my favourites are Christopher and Grace, the dynamic between these two was SO interesting. They both have a certain mindset and though most people wouldn't get it, I just think that it also makes sense? Like we could see this in Chain of Iron and I loved that Christopher just understood Grace and was there for her when she needed it. Grace is a very complex character who has had to deal with a lot of Trauma from Tatiana, and seeing her repercussions low key broke my heart. You got a real sense of self hatred and I just felt so so sorry for her. Seeing how she kind of dusts herself off and picks herself up at points and fight for what she wants, we love a gal who wants to do better. Christopher is the kindest, sweetest soul out of The Merry Thieves in my opinion. To say he's a scientist he's very aware with peoples emotions and realises that it's not always the persons fault. His love and care to the Merry Thieves and his support. Ahhhh I love them both.

Gorgeous, gorgeous girlies Ari and Anna. Honestly I feel like they were such boss ass bitches in this. I think seeing them both fight for something that they love and there were so many points where they were brave and brought the group together

What I liked
- I cannot reiterate enough, my love for Thomas and Alastair is SO high. Literally I think they are my second favourite duo in the whole of the shadowhunter chronicles, I just loved their whole journey from start to finish and what they brought out of each other.
- Cordelia sending the Merry Thieves to Matthew in his time of need, it was just such a lovely moment and seeing all of the support he received
- Annas plans to steal parrots hahahaha
- Thomas's fire message to Alastair and his response was so fuuny
- Lucies "revenge" story, omg hahahahaha, just thinking of it it making me laugh!
- BRIDGET!
- Eugenias speech to Sophie and Gideon for Thomas, I was LIVING.
- A certain coach ride...
- Christopher running all of the way for Alexander, he was like I AM HERE!
- Grace and her bombs.
- Fire messages... that first fire message literally brought a tear to my eye.
- The thought of Anna fainting

What I'm a bit hmm about
- I feel like the editing for this wasn't the best, I saw spelling mistakes and grammar errors throughout and I just, I don't know, for the final book it's not really what I expected.
- I sadly found it *slightly* predictable, I get that it's YA but I don't think anything actually surprised me in this one. One of the biggest reveals I guessed when something was said.
- The fallouts, honestly I just couldn't deal with it, I think because they were supposed to be tight fitting group and seeing the falling out and not talking it broke my lil' heart
- The Cordelia/Matthew situation, it just felt wrong...
- Honestly, I think one of my biggest gripes with this was that there was a character death, and like I 1000000% understand why, however the aftermath didn't feel the way in which I thought it would. I can only say that we've had many deaths in the Shadowhunter world, and the way in which their death was handled just didn't feel right? We didn't really see any mourning, I genuinely think I mourned them more than any of the other characters.

Overall I have some very mixed feelings, the more I wrote for this review has made me think if I want to keep this at a 4 stars or lower it to a 3, I can't if my nostalgia and love for the crew has lifted this rating higher than what it probably should be.

HOWEVER... THOMAS AND ALASTAIR 4EVAAAAAAA

All Cassandra Clare Reviews:

The Infernal Devices
Clockwork Angel - 5 Stars
Clockwork Prince - 5 Stars
Clockwork Princess - 5 Stars

The Infernal Devices (Manga) Reviews:
Clockwork Angel - 5 Stars
Clockwork Prince - 5 Stars
Clockwork Princess - 5 Stars

The Last Hours
Chain of Gold - 4 Stars
Chain of Iron - 5 Stars
Chain of Thorns - 4 Stars

The Mortal Instruments
City of Bones - 5 Stars
City of Ashes - 4 Stars
City of Glass - 4 Stars
City of Fallen Angels - 2 Stars
City of Lost Souls - 3 Stars
City of Heavenly Fire - 4 Stars

The Eldest Curses
The Red Scrolls of Magic - 3 Stars

The Dark Artifices
Lady Midnight - 5 Stars
Lord of Shadows - 5 Stars
Queen of Air and Darkness - 5 Stars

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17.03.2021

So I’ve just finished CoI... I don’t think anyone is ready for what’s to come in this after it ended like that.

What I do know/hope is that we will be getting more Will and if that’s the case SIGN ME UP