Booklist Reviews
Following the events of 2013's Clockwork Princess, a peculiar absence of demons lent the London Shadowhunters a few years of relative peace, making them sorely unprepared for the sudden series of demon attacks that devastate their numbers. Cordelia Carstairs finds herself at the center of a mystery that's inexplicably tied to her friends James and Lucie Herondale. Working alongside London's young Shadowhunters and hoping to uphold the heroic legacy of their parents, the group seeks to uncover the dark force behind the attacks. YA fantasy powerhouse Clare returns with a new generation of Shadowhunters, once again taking on themes of love, friendship, and family to deliver a thrilling story that's nostalgic for longtime fans but accessible for new readers, with nearly 600 pages to get accustomed to the large cast of characters and immersive world. While the new cast includes more diverse characters—mixed race and queer—they have a concerning tendency to be the most flawed. Still, Clare manages again to introduce memorable heroes that readers are sure to love, ending with a tantalizing promise of further action.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A new series set in Clare's familiar Shadowhunters universe means a surge of interest from fans old and new. Stock up. Grades 8-12. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.
Publishers Weekly Reviews
When Cordelia Carstairs's father is arrested in 1903, her mother attempts to salvage the family's reputation by moving them to London and encouraging 16-year-old Cordelia to find an influential suitor. Cordelia, however, prefers to focus her efforts on helping fellow Shadowhunters James and Lucie Herondale slay the vicious, seemingly unstoppable demons that recently began killing their Nephilim brethren. If, while saving the day, Cordelia can woo James—on whom she's had a crush since childhood—all the better. Although Cordelia and James have chemistry, and James's friends and family all adore Cordelia, he is strangely infatuated with Grace Blackthorn, who just arrived in town and whose mother despises the Herondales. Spun off from her Infernal Devices trilogy, book one of Clare's Last Hours trilogy uses a large cast of deftly drawn characters of varying ethnicities, sexual orientations, and species (vampires, warlocks, etc.) to explore the intricacies of friendship and love. Although setup and backstory mire the tale's start, Clare delivers a richly imagined fantasy rife with action, intrigue, and smoldering romance. A chilling cliffhanger sets up the sequel. Ages 14–up.
School Library Journal Reviews
Voice of Youth Advocates Reviews
The setting is London, from 1898 to 1906, and the next generation of Shadowhunters is facing a new breed of enemy. Protagonists James and Lucie Herondale, Matthew Fairchild, Thomas Lightwood, and Cordelia Carstairs are attacked in broad daylight by demons that poison rather than kill. The shadow realms invade reality with regularity, old enemies resurface, and questions pile up, with no clear answers. Fellow Shadowhunters refuse to listen to warnings from these impressive teenagers. As secrets multiply, miscommunication increases and a snarl of events hurls readers to a dramatic conclusion. From the well-established author of the Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series comes a delightful new adventure. This first book in a new series is filled with humor, drama, unrequited romance, betrayal, and all the other markings of a true Clare novel. Dedicated fans of these books will not be disappointed. The pacing leaves readers breathless as the protagonists' perspectives change every chapter, often switching after mere paragraphs. There has been a huge marketing campaign underway, so libraries should anticipate high demand from an excited audience. Included author's notes explain the real London history incorporated into the story. This is a recommended purchase for all libraries serving teens.—Kristy Rademacher. 4Q 4P J S Copyright 2020 Voya Reviews.