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. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary. (Mar.)

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.

Clare's (Ghosts of the Shadow Market, 2019, etc.) latest is set in the Shadowhunter world in the 20th century's first decade (with frequent flashbacks to the previous one). Teenage offspring of the Herondales, Carstairs, Fairchilds, and other angel-descended Nephilim continue their families' demon-fighting ways amid a round of elegant London balls, soirees, salons, picnics, and romantic intrigues. James Herondale, 17-year-old son of Will and Tessa, finds himself and his "perfectly lethal dimple" hung up between two stunning new arrivals: Cordelia Carstairs, red-haired Persian/British wielder of a fabled magic sword, and Grace Blackthorn, an emotionally damaged but (literally, as the author unsubtly telegraphs) spellbinding friend from childhood. Meanwhile, a sudden outbreak of demonic attacks that leave more and more Shadowhunters felled by a mysterious slow poison plunges James and a cohort of allies into frantic searches for both a cause and an antidote. Ichor-splashed encounters with ravening boojums and even one of hell's own princes ensue--all leading to final hints of a devastating scheme to destroy the Nephilim in which James himself is slated to play a central role. Characters have a range of skin tones, but ethnic diversity adds no texture to the portrayals; there is a lesbian cousin who wears traditionally male clothing and two young gay men (one tortured, the other less so). Busy, busy, busy…with portents of doom. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 8 Up--Clare fans will be eager to read the first installment in her new series featuring the children of the protagonists in "The Infernal Devices" series. James and Lucie Herondale, along with their friends, must save the world from a new kind of demon that is targeting Shadowhunters. Not only are these demons attacking during the day, they are also infecting Shadowhunters with a deadly poison. After being at peace for so long, the group must figure out why the demon attacks are starting up again and their connection to James and Lucie's grandfather. James is determined to figure out which demon prince is his grandfather, and when he does, he learns that his grandfather wants something only he can give him. Still grieving the loss of her son, Tatiana Blackthorn seeks out dark magic and continues to hold a grudge against the Herondales. Saving the world from evil is a big job for the next generation of Shadowhunters, but that doesn't mean there isn't time for budding romances, love triangles, and extravagant parties featuring Edwardian-era fashion. Readers familiar with "The Bane Chronicles" will recognize a few of the new characters. While prior knowledge of Clare's books is not necessary, this will be most enjoyed by those who have finished "Infernal Devices." VERDICT The first novel in a planned trilogy, this is a purchase for young adult collections where Clare's books are popular.--Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ