An excellent follow up to Swordcatcher. I would say that like book one the story develops very slowly but there are a lot of reveals made before the end of this book! I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Castellaine and the machinations of the various families of nobles who reside there. I loved that all the storylines that began in book one have progressed, but there were also new characters and arcs introduced (hello Anjelica princess of Kutani). I wouldn't say there were any huge surprises in where the book ended up but it was enjoyable and I need book three immediately!

THE RAGPICKER KING is a great follow up that balances intrigue with personal relationships.

Kel was my favourite character this book because I do like that archetype - deep personal loyalty under question. You could see that he was going to end up in trouble for his actions but also knew why he was doing it. There is something tragic in that set up and I really like the interplay of loyalty and sense in fiction.

I do wish this book had started with a recap of the previous instalments. These books are so big with so many characters that it took me a while to remember the basics of the last book - I certainly couldn't remember it all - that it meant I was a bit slower to get into it.

THE RAG PICKER KING does well at balancing the intrigue with the personal dynamics. There are romantic relationships happening but they never felt like major parts of the book (frankly, a bit of a relief in an era of romantasy being everywhere.) Instead, it was the platonic that was more important and everyone's desire to protect their loved ones slamming into their duty or the expectations others had of them.

The book ends with a couple of pretty big reveals. They're very fun and will certainly change how the next (final?) book plays out. While I did like them, they didn't hit me with "oh wow" moments because it didn't feel like the questions they answered had been made a big thing of. I didn't know to want the answers.

I will be reading the next book, because I want to see the collision course the characters are on come to a head.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I actually liked this book better than the first one! We had more political intrigue and got deeper world lore through the story. Moreover, the additional POV characters gave more nuances both to the plot and to the motivation of the characters!

This was such a good sequel! So many twists and turns!
Firstly, I loved the characters with all theirs flaws and their strengths. I felt that the characters have developed organically. There were some choices that were a bit questionable, but nothing that bothered me too much. Overall great character work.
Secondly, the story was engaging. It was a bit slow at first, but towards the end we were not given time to breathe.
Overall, I really enjoyed myself with this one and I can't wait to read the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I think I actually preferred this to the first book in the series - whereas that was a lot of set-up, this book allowed Clare to explore the characters more and develop her world-building which was very enjoyable. While there are cliches in the story, they're so well-done that you're happy to go along with them. Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for the next one!

4 Stars | 1.5 Spice

This was the first series I ever read from Cassandra Clare, and what I got was a rich, sprawling fantasy that takes its time. This is not the kind of story that races to the finish line. It's plot-driven for sure, but the plot doesn't exist in isolation. Every thread, every moment, every minor detail builds something larger than itself. The world feels alive because the story doesn't rush it.
The beginning moves slowly, but I genuinely didn't mind. It's the kind of slow that feels purposeful, that lets you breathe in the world and its politics and secrets before everything starts snapping into place. And when it does, it's wild. The pace picks up massively toward the end and delivers on the groundwork it's been laying for hundreds of pages.
What really stood out to me is how deeply character and plot are intertwined. Lin's journey is complicated, brutal, and honestly kind of mesmerizing. She's not a heroine you can neatly sum up. Kel continues to be a quietly powerful force, and the way the two of them navigate this crumbling, treacherous world is just so well done.
There's something distinctly epic about how it all unfolds. Not just in terms of scale, but in the way the narrative doesn't spoon-feed you. It trusts you to follow, to wait, and to notice.
That kind of storytelling isn't for everyone, but if you're here for a fantasy that respects your intelligence and pays off in the end, this is it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The story continues and the intricate royal intrigues continue with more deception, mystery and drama. The romance is also picking up a lot in this book and the slow burn is finally starting to get to out main characters.

I really love how this story is taking shape and this book was absolutely more action packed and less focus on worldbuilding and was more story driven which I love for this series as we did get a lot of the world building in the first book. I also like that this book is a bit shorter as I do tend to get overwhelmed with really massive books and it also helped the pace to be very pleasant. The writer is phenomenal and I absolutely love how they do their multiple POVs in a way that is easy to follow and really brings so much to the story.

I am honestly already waiting for the next book as the ending of this one kinda had my mind blown. I did not see that coming at all which I so appreciate as many times books tend to be to predictable but this one managed to keep me surprised and engaged!

this is a great book by a great author, she is one of my go too when i need my fantasy fix!
this is the second book in the series and looking forward to book 3

This unfortunately didn't work for me. The slow pace of the first book increased even more in the sequel, and I don't feel our characters moved on in any meaningful way to justify the 550 page word count. The romances, which were slow burn, now feel very predictable and samey. Overall this book struggled to keep my attention.

When I had joined bookstagram, I discovered this new genre, Fantasy which was so magical and beautiful to read and enjoy.

It's been a rollercoaster ride since then and somewhere I had forgotten the authors I wanted to try from this genre. When the publisher brought in the new titles of this author , I made up my mind to check out her works now as what's better than starting with a brand new series of the mother of fantasy genre!! 🤌🤌🤌

So I picked up Sword Catcher and it's sequal. The Ragpicker King is the second installment in Cassandra Clare's adult fantasy series, following Sword Catcher. This book dives deeper into the world of Castellane, where I thoroughly enjoyed the rich combination of politics, romance and brilliant character dynamics.

I had heard only good things about the author's writing and this series is technically my read from her works. This part expands upon the elements introduced in the first book of the series, weaving them seamlessly into the beautiful fast paced plotline.

The Ragpicker King definitely made me fall in love with Cassandra Clare's world building as this one left me craving for more of this world.

2/5 stars! I was just incredibly bored. I feel like this book could have been condensed by a third and work much better. It would tighten up the plot and hopefully engage the reader with better pacing. I finished this book only out of loyalty to the Shadowhunters series.

A much-anticipated and excellent follow up to Swordcatcher - if you loved that, then The Ragpicker King is going to be a real treat for you. I think I prefer these books to Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter series which went on for a bit too long and it is really refreshing to see her put her incredible story writing skills into a new fictional world. I love the 'Prisoner of Zenda' feel to this story- and Kel and Conor are so compelling - you feel each character's wants and needs, the secrets they hide and the feelings they engender in others so clearly. The story picks up not long after Swordcatcher finishes and the court is dealing with the awful aftermath of the murder of the little princess. Meanwhile Lin is facing her own trial as the Goddess Reborn and handling the suspicions of the Exilarch and the Maharam as well as her own doubts. There are some intriguing scenes which suggest she has more connection to the goddess than she might know. And I loved finding out more about Antonetta and her giant secret! I cannot wait for part 3!

I don’t know how else to put it: The Ragpicker King grabbed me like one of those nights when you swear you’ll just read “one more chapter”… and suddenly it’s 3 a.m., your hands are shaking, and your heart is in your throat. Cassandra Clare has done it again—with a second volume that sinks its roots deep into the pulsing heart of Castellane and blows it wide open in a whirlwind of secrets, alliances, and revelations.

This is the kind of sequel that raises the stakes without forgetting where it came from. If Sword Catcher was a refined waltz—urgent but elegant—The Ragpicker King is the moment the orchestra explodes (quite literally, lol). I actually loved the slow beginning—it felt necessary to re-establish the balance between the characters and pick up the narrative threads—but once the pace picks up, it’s a breathless sprint.

Kel keeps breaking my heart—my precious boy, Castellane’s favorite son: trapped between his role as Sword Catcher and his own desires. His relationship with Conor remains the emotional core of the series, tangled in loyalty and betrayal. Then we have Antonetta, who only really shines near the end (and what an ending). I wish we’d seen more of her—and more of Conor—throughout the book, but I’m hoping the third volume gives them room to unleash all their chaos (Cassandra, can we publish it tomorrow please?).

And then there’s Lin: the returned goddess, a character who devotes herself to everyone around her—except when it comes to Conor. With him, she dances a dangerous line, one that sparks fire and lightning under a rain-soaked sky. I’ll admit, I was holding my breath (and maybe didn’t believe what I was reading at first).

I might’ve wanted more of Conor—his absence is narratively intentional, but still, god, I just need to know what that boy is thinking.

The worldbuilding, while limited to Castellane, remains incredibly immersive: shadowy alleys, sea caves, Roman temples, ancient cities… Clare gives a definite nod to Europe in terms of aesthetics. And while the magic system still feels like we’re just scratching the surface, the potential for something vast and intricate is clearly there.

In short: The Ragpicker King is the kind of book that doesn’t let go. It walks with you, haunts you with its characters and their secrets, and leaves you desperate for the next installment. If you love Clare for her plot twists, aching relationships, and unmistakable style, this second chapter will absolutely not disappoint.

Such a great follow up! I could not put it down, especially the last few chapters! I particularly enjoyed the bouncing between the different povs and the flashbacks. Conor and Lin have my heart and we're written so well, as was Kel, and I'm excited to hear more of their journey.
Can't wait for the next book in the series

Cassandra Clare is back and better than ever. This brilliant follow up to Sword Catcher is just as enthralling as its' predecessor and I have no doubt will be just as big as it's successor.

Cassandra Clare I am extremely familiar with your work (and have been for the past 14 years) and know you love to serve your readers a life-altering climax in your second installments (see: Lord of Shadows) but even so - the last 100 pages of The Ragpicker King go absolutely crazy!!! I had no choice but to finish it in one sitting because there was just no place where you felt like you could put it down and go about your day - so many reveals and answers that just lead to more questions.

Something I always really enjoy in books is when an author purposefully diverts your attention away by giving you something else to chew on. Some of the reveals were much more clear - the breadcrumbs had been left for the reader to pick up from since very early in book one, so whilst you’re feeling smug you’d figured out one thing, she hits you with another you don’t see coming. It’s so much fun!!

Loved the political intrigue and machinations in book one, and that is definitely continued here. The worldbuilding is beautifully crafted and further explored, and I personally enjoyed the slower pace - it allowed time to explore the dynamics between the different countries and their social structures, as well as the characters themselves.

The characters! Cassandra Clare is phenomenal at writing an ensemble cast of characters and making them so vividly come to life even though they are only seen through the two main points of view. I really enjoyed the addition of the mini-chapters between the longer segments and that it allowed the opportunity to follow other perspectives. (Willing to sell my soul for a Conor POV in later installments.) Kel and Lin both have my heart, and I am so excited to see where book three takes them both.

This series has some of my favourite fantasy covers ever, and the royal blue of this one is just divine.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Tor, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a brilliant sequel to Swordcatcher !
I didn’t think Cassandra Clare would be able to beat Swordcatcher however this was definitely a treat.
I loved how we got to see more of Conor and Kel’s relationship and how the ragpicker king is treated in castellane. Can’t wait to see what happens next

This is a strong follow up to Swordcatcher with a nail biting cliffhanger. Great world building and character development throughout, very engaging writing with a lot of setup to come in the next book.

4.6⭐️

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed Swordcatcher a lot, but I enjoyed this even more! The world building and character development is fantastic.

I did manage to guess some of the twists and turns, but the final one did catch me by surprise!

I really liked getting to know each of the characters. Lin in particular was one of my faves and I loved seeing her in different settings and the way she handled herself (and someone else, iykyk 😏)

That ending had me sat, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Wow! I can honestly say I loved this book so much more than book one, Swordcatcher, and the character plot twist ending I never saw coming!
I thought the book definitely picked up pace after the first few chapters, as it took that to get reaccustumed to the characters and what they were up to again (but would have helped if I had been able to re-read Swordcatcher first so more about myself than the book).

I enjoyed seeing the development of Lin's powers and confidence within herself and I am glad the King was able to help her in the end (the King development was also really good and explained a lot too and why Elsabet was doing what she was doing).

The ending reveal of the real Prosper Beck I never saw coming. When Kel said right at the end that he had worked out who SHE is I thought it might have been Alyss as Connor had given him the amulet so I didn't expect it to be Antonetta and will now need to do a re-read of book one with my knowledge of the ending.

I enjoyed the growing feelings between Lin and Connor, both limited for their own reasons, and am hopeful for what might be in the next book. I did wonder at one point if Lin would be better suited to Aron as he seemed to have a soft spot for her, and feel he would be better for her long term, especially with the royal limitations surrounding Connor.

I thought the way Kel and Connor fell out and then Connor saved Kel was written well and not too long and drawn out, as it shows how deep their bond is and that although both have secrets they know each other well enough to get past the initial hurt to the understanding of situations.

I feel the book ended in a really good way and a lot of plot lines throughout were answered well, with the semi cliffhanger reveal at the end of who Prosper Beck is and Connor and the King forming an understanding, Lin's unfair exile and talks with Connor, which gives a good basis for the next book.