August Newsletter: new ‘Chain of Gold’ snippet and more!

Can you guys believe that summer is almost over? We hope you read some good books and had time to relax. 🙂
Cassandra Clare sent out her August newsletter yesterday and before I’m going to share a new Chain of Gold snippet with you, let’s quickly address the bonus content in the first The Last Hours book:

The entire first print run in the US will be a special first edition. It will contain a beautiful portrait of the main characters by Cassandra Jean, and will also include the long-awaited short story Fairy Tale of London, about Will and Tessa’s wedding! […]
There will also be special content in the UK and Australian editions, which is still being finalized, so stay tuned for details on that!

So exciting, right? I’m always down for more Will and Tessa ❤
The short story – you can read a snippet here – will be shared online once the exclusivity period of about six months is over, but since Chain of Gold won’t be released for another 180+ days, you do have plenty of time to save some money so that you can pre-order a first edition with the bonus content! 😉

And now for the new snippet: prepare for some Cordelia and James banter!

“Last night,” Cordelia said, “you were most appallingly rude to me, and I would like an apology.”

James looked up at her. So this was what it would be like to be taller than James, she thought. She didn’t mind it. His expression was calm, unreadable even. It wasn’t an unfriendly look, but it was entirely closed off, letting no one in. It was an expression she had seen on James’ face before: she had always thought of it privately as The Mask.

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to apologize?”

Maybe it wasn’t better to be taller than him, she thought. When he looked up at her, he had to do it through his eyelashes, which were thick and black as the silk fringes on a scarf. “I am trying to think of the best way to do it. What I did—leaving you on the dance floor—was unforgivable. I am trying to think of a reason you ought to forgive me anyway, because if you did not, it would break my heart.”

She cleared her throat. “That is a decent start.”

His smile was faint, but real. “You’ve always had a charitable heart, Daisy.”

“Don’t you Daisy me,” she said. “Have you taken the time to understand what it is to be a girl in such a situation? A girl cannot ask a gentleman to dance; she is at the mercy of the choice of the opposite sex. She cannot even refuse a dance if it is asked of her. To have a boy walk away from her on the dance floor is humiliating. To have it happen when one is wearing a truly frightful gown, even more so. They will all be discussing what is wrong with me.”

His eyes flew wide. “Wrong with you?” he repeated. “There is nothing wrong with you. Everything you say is true, and I am a fool for not having thought of it before. All I can do is swear to you that you will never lack at any social event in future, someone to stand up with or dance attendance on you. You might not credit it, having met Thomas and Christopher and Matthew, but they are quite popular. We can make you the toast of the season.”

“Really?” she said. “Thomas and Christopher and Matthew are popular?”

He laughed. “Yes, and I can make you a further promise as well. If I offend you again, I will wear a truly frightful gown to the next significant social gathering.

The last line made me laugh out loud because this reminded me of Will’s ‘radiant bride’ comment in Clockwork Princess. I also can’t wait to find out why James left Cordelia on the dance floor.

There also is new Shadowhunters merch on TopatoCo.com so check out this link! I own several pieces and am very happy with them.

In addition to all the stuff above, Cassie also shared a beautiful illustration of Anna. Doesn’t she look gorgeous?

The next Chain of Gold flash fiction piece is going to be shared on September 1 so make sure to subscribe to Cassie’s newsletter before that date.

Chain of Gold is published on March 3, 2020!