I have to say that this time of year is always the worst time to be a fan of The Shadowhunter Chronicles. We’re still stuck in that endless wait between Shadowhunter novels, with the hype from Chain of Iron having died down and way too much time between now and the release date for Chain of Thorns. Thankfully, though, Cassandra Clare is still keeping us entertained with crumbs of content in her monthly newsletters.
Last month, we got our first Chain of Thorns snippet, as well as an official flower card for Ty Blackthorn, one of the protagonists of The Wicked Powers. This month’s newsletter was all about The Last Hours, though, and it was pride themed!
Chain of Thorns Snippet
This month’s snippet features Matthew talking to Anna about her relationship status, and I have to say I’m still recovering:
“Regardless,” said Matthew, “I’m glad to hear that you’ve returned to your usual busy schedule of ruining London’s women for London’s men. Before I left for Paris the buzz was that you had gone entirely out of circulation.”
“Oh really?” said Anna.
“It was all anyone seemed to want to talk about at the Ruelle,” Matthew pressed. “Mundane, Downworlders, all the ladies remaining completely unseduced, and not happy about it.”
“I can hardly seduce everyone,” Anna shrugged. “Some of them will just have to seduce one another.”
Now it was Matthew’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “I’m not worried about them,” he said. “I’m worried about you.” In a lower voice he said, “I heard about Ariadne.”
It’s not entirely surprising that Anna is pining over Ariadne, but it’s good to get confirmation that her feelings about the matter will be explored in the book. This also confirms that Matthew is back in London, which is exciting, although we don’t know when this snippet will take place.
Also, what did Matthew hear about Ariadne? Is he just talking about her relationship and breakup with Anna? Or did something else happen? Did she get hurt? Is she seeing someone else? I need answers.
I, for one, cannot wait to see more of Anna and Ariadne’s relationship in Chain of Thorns.
Thomastair fanart
We also got some absolutely beautiful fanart of the sanctuary scene. The artist is the incomparable Taratjah, who has been drawing Shadowhunter Chronicles characters for years and really outdid themselves here:
I, for one, cannot stop staring at this. This fandom is so full of talent.
Secret project?!?!?!
Finally, we have… some more information on the mysterious secret project Cassie has been working on? Kind of? Apparently, it’s going to be announced on July 10th, at 4pm ET, in an Instagram Live with TMI Source.
So far, we have received next to no information about this secret project, so I have no idea what it’s going to be. Cassandra Clare has previously hinted that there will be a novella bind up between The Last Hours and The Wicked Powers, featuring a Last Hours character, but it seems unlikely that that would be announced before Chain of Thorns. A popular fan theory is that Matthew would be the protagonist of said bind up, but again, we can’t know anything about that until the next book is out. Cassie said in the last newsletter that the Ty flower card was a clue, which suggests it won’t be the Last Hours bind up. Could it be the Blackstairs travel year novella that’s been hinted at? Or something else?
What did you think of this month’s newsletter? Do you have any theories about this secret project? Let us know in the comments!
Ooo, which book is the Sanctuary scene from??
Chain of Iron!