The Last Hours: Chain of Gold

By: Cassandra Clare

Narrated by: Finty Williams

Length: 21 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first in a brand new Shadowhunters trilogy set in Edwardian London by internationally best-selling author Cassandra Clare.

For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London...and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague. James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero...and falling in love.

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark.

©2020 Cassandra Clare (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd

Weaker than previous books & irritating narration

I felt that was the weakest so far out of all the Shadowhunter novels. For me the plotline was more obvious and less adult than previous books - was I the only one who spotted the fairly obvious plot twist around halfway through? I struggled to get into this story or feel any real connection to the main characters, whereas with previous books I'd been hooked in straight away. I also felt like some of the storylines were rehashed from previous books, and sometimes didn't actually fit into Shadowhunter canon.
I think for me the worst thing by far though was the narration. From the narrator's tone and inflection it sounded like she was used to narrating books meant for a much younger audience and it just wasn't suited to this type of book. The voices she used, especially for the female characters, were whiney and grating and didn't suit the feisty, trained in combat, demon hunting people the characters are supposed to be. The narrator also failed to adequately convey tension and terror, as suited some parts of the book.
I will most likely listen to the next in this series anyway because I'm a Shadowhunter fan, but really hope both the storyline and the narration is improved.

My 1st entry to the Shadow Hunters story

I am ashamed to say that this was the first time I ever heard of Shadow Hunters but oh my days did I enjoy this book. The amount of times I gasped, was frustrated and heartbroken.

The narration was excellent!

Pure Gold

My favourite of all of Cassandra Clare's Series is The Infernal Devices. Will, Tessa and Jem's story is one of my absolute favourites. Reading Chain of Gold felt like Stepping back in time, Back to Victorian London ... felt a little bit like coming home.
I loved every minute of this book! And I fell in love with all the New Characters In the same way I fell in love with Tessa and the Gang so many years ago.

The story she has weaved for us this time feels ominous and gripping and In true Cassandra Clare fashion, she has left me worried for the well being of this new group of misfits..... and absolutely biting at the bit for more! I simply cannot wait for Chain of Iron!

Finty Williams as an absolute gem of a Narrator. She Brilliantly voiced all the characters and made it an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Cute, but all over the place

I like the idea of a book of little vignettes (which is why i enjoyed The Bane Chronicles) but this wasnt quite like that, nor was it a clear novel with one main story line. It sometimes felt like there was a plot forming, then other times ut switched and there was an entirely different focus.

I quite enjoyed having a continuation of the Infernal Devices characters offspring. There were snippets of this in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy that i loved, but i craved a more centralized story.

It was also confusing having so many main characters and not really a central focus. There's the adults like Will, Tessa & Jem that i know and love from TID series, as well as the supporting roles of the Fairchilds, The Lightwoods, etc. But then it seemed like each family's offspring had a main part in the story and it kept jumping round and round. Even whom i thought would be consideeed supporting characters, like Anna Lightwood, had their own POV segments that seemed unnecessary.

Don't get me wrong, i LOVE reading all the adventures these characters had, but it did get a bit muddled and confusing when everyone seemed to have a voice in the narrative.
The scenes were cutesy, witty, and well written like all the rest of Clare's books. An easy and enjoyable read of teen fiction, but i wouldnt say that the plot(s) of the novel were very strong. I'll definately still read the next 2 in the series when they come out, but all in all, not my favourite series in the Shadowhunter world.

Wonderful look into the lives of younger shadow hunters

Delighted to have been able to hear this audiobook. Got through the whole book in a couple of days as I didn’t want to turn it off! Featuring the children of the featured characters from The Infernal Devices, this does not disappoint as another past times shadow hunter story. Wild happenings, true love and demonic incursions galore. Loved it!

fantastic

wow what a fantastic audiobook from the pen of Cassandra Clare and brilliantly narrated by Finty Williams. I can't wait to hear more from this magical author xxxxxx

Awesome!!

Loved it! Anyone who has read any of the previous Shadowhunter books won't be able to resist. The author pulls the reader into every story she writes about the shadow world, her characters are always interesting and it's hard to pick a favourite but if it has Herondales, Lightwoods and Carstairs then it's definitely going to have an adventure. I've read all Cassie Claire's books so far and haven't been disappointed. The narrator did a good job and has a soothing tone, she also gives each character their own voice, which is great. If you haven't read any of the shadowhunter series then your missing out, I can't wait to start the next book!

10/10 brilliant read

loved it. I was skeptical at first but I loved this book so much. very interesting and you get really invested in the story and characters.

Brilliant compelling fantasy adventure

What a brilliant book hooked from the first page, I have listened to The Moral Instruments many times and recently decided to purchase the remaining books and have enjoyed every single one, I get so lost in the storyline. The narration is very good and sets the scene very well

Wonderful Writing, Sublime Narration

Could not have enjoyed the storyline and the narration more. Finty Williams' characterisation and inflection was perfect.