I was very much looking forward to this sequel and I was not disappointed. It is not, as previously stated, a duology and there are more books to come in this series. The stories set up in book one continue at pace. Connor is struggling to be a better prince whilst everyone conspires against him and his father is overcome by a mystery illness. Kel is loyal to him but working with everyone behind his back to unpick the various threats to the throne. Lin is still trying to heal her friend and dealing with the aftermath of announcing she is the goddess reborn. There are many other characters who are all well drawn and who develop throughout the novel. By the end of the book you have a clearer idea of the danger facing Castellane and the paths each character must go down next. Whilst several of the tropes in the book are not new and you will have encountered them in other fantasy novels, that didn’t spoil this for me. I am very eager for the next episode so I hope the author is working on it as we speak! Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

A fantastic addition to the Chronicles of Castellane. Well paced, plotted and executed. The build up to the finale was fantastic as you begin to see the pieces click into place as our characters navigate the fallout of Swordcatchers finale. Can't wait for the next book in the series, it has a lot to live up to.

Big thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book!

I write you this review at half past midnight having just finished this book. What a joy it has been to spend the last 7 hours with the Castellene Crew and this novel. This is fantasy at its very best: fast paced plot, memorable characters, intriguing world building, simple yet complex magic system and so many swirling subplots and moments to love that tie it all together.

We rejoin Prince Conor and his Sword Catcher, Kel, 3 months after the end of SWORD CATCHER. Whilst I have just reread book 1 in prep for this, Clare reminds her readers of past events and character with an easy charm that fits her two silver-eyed protagonists very well. We are immediately back into the action, seeing the consequences of the conclusion of book 1 and from the first chapter new plots are discovered and begin to be explored.

I loved how each twist and turn in this book—although easy to figure out if you are specifically thinking about it—is entirely plausible and thus, incredibly satisfying. Even though each reveal was what I thought I felt so pleased that I had read the clues right, placed my suspicions on the right characters. Clare also keeps each of her plots threaded neatly throughout: when I found myself missing Antonetta she was there in the next scene. When I found myself wishing Lin and Conor would just Sort It Out, the next chapter would have them together Not Sorting It Out (yay yearning!).

Overall, this book is an action packed adventure showcasing the very best of what the fantasy genre can do. Clare is a seasoned professional, she writes such lovable characters that pull at your heart strings (a Kel and Conor moment had me placing down my reading device with glee!) and stay with you long after the book has ended. Superb, wonderful, excellent.

May Book 3 give blessed Kel Saren some Happiness!!!

Cassandra Clare does it again - this sequel was absolutely gripping from start to finish. The stakes are higher, the betrayals cut deeper, and the lush world of Castellane only grows more intoxicating. Kel’s journey as Prince Conor’s body double takes a darker turn, and watching him navigate the treacherous royal court while hunting for traitors kept me on edge. The Ragpicker King remains a fascinating, enigmatic figure, pulling strings in the criminal underworld with an elegance that makes the lines between hero and villain deliciously blurry.

What I loved most was the character-driven tension - every relationship felt like a high-stakes gamble, with secrets and shifting alliances that made it impossible to put the book down. Clare’s ability to build this intricate, morally grey world shines here, and by the final page, I was already desperate for more. If Sword Catcher pulled you in, The Ragpicker King will absolutely not let you go.

The Ragpicker King is the much awaited sequel to Sword Catcher and as such, it had a big job to do.
Sword Catcher left us with a lot to contend with, but in The Ragpicker King the author doesn’t keep us waiting — and instead the story gets going right away, and doesn’t stop until the very last page.

NGL, I struggled with Sword Catcher a little: I found the pace uneven, often weighted down by the flashbacks illustrating the lore necessary to one part of the story, or at least the story as it pertained mostly to one character.
The characters were what kept me going, and those characters are even more front and center in this book. They drive a plot rich in political intrigue and tension, and we feel every single decision they made, every single challenging moment: we are there with them every step of the way. This makes the story even more intense and gripping.

Something I really enjoyed was the way the commentary on societal pressure is subtly woven throughout: we see characters struggling in balancing what’s expected of them versus what feels right and what, in turn, would actually contribute to their happiness; we see them having to defy expectations in good ways and bad, and feel each of those challenges and decisions keenly, as if they were our own.

There are also new characters, and you’d expect them to stick out now that we already know our main cast, but they blend in seamlessly, fulfilling their role in the story perfectly.

The Ragpicker King shows us there is so much more to this series than we had thought, and even more of what we had already seen and liked: definitely more depth to the characters, but also more political intrigue, more yearning, more angst (in the best ways, not all of them romantic).

The only weakness in the book for me was in a couple of the big reveals, which didn’t strike the right note for some reason. One specifically, towards the very end, came across a bit as retcon rather than something that had been planned all along, and the reveal scene itself was a little anticlimactic.

But the book overall was such a satisfying read, compelling and well-paced, keeping me 100% engaged and committed until the last pace. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here!

(I wouldn’t even be able to tell you who my favorite is anymore, I want to know about *everyone*.)

Cassandra Clare's writing is always such a comfort and after reading her books for years stepping back into her fictional worlds is always so easy! I was hooked from the start and was racing through this book.

The pace in The Ragpicker King is much quicker than the first book and starts fairly quickly after the events of Sword Catcher. I loved the scenes where Kel, Jin-An and Merren are working together and how well developed and distinct their personalities are and how well they bounce off each other. All the detailed and rich world building of Sword Catcher is expertly picked away to reveal another layer of political intrigue, class and status and the unusual magic system. I loved the multiple point of views of different characters which helped created a dynamic narrative of what was happened and the emotional stakes and motivations throughout the story.

I love the idea of Kel as Prince Conor's Sword Catcher and bodyguard and how he balances keeping Conor safe but also his work with the Ragpicker King. There are moments where he is seen straining with all these secrets which made him more human, especially as he isn't allowed a life that isn't Conor's shadow. I love his interactions with Antonetta and his conflicted feelings for her. Antonetta is really well written as this weak and often overlooked character and I loved learning more about her personality. Conor also grew on me a lot in this book and how he is both ruthless and extremely dedicated to looking after Castellane. I wasn't as invested in Conor and Lin's relationship as much as I was Kel and the Ragpicker King gang. I did find the political aspects a little slow in places to understand, but that being said everything threaded together at the end which made for a really unexpected plot twist.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series - this book has set the scene perfectly for what I expect the rest of the series to be jaw dropping!

The Ragpicker King picks up right where we left off in Sword Catcher and it was incredible. All of the political intrigue, mystery and romance from the first book was elevated in this one, and I couldn’t help but keep reading. If you’re a fan of excellent fantasy with romantic sub-plots and plot twists that will leave you shocked, this series is a must read!

I was once again shocked by the plot twists in this book and I could not believe how this one ended. I am anxiously waiting for book three already!

I finished this in one sitting. That’s how good it was. Cassandra Clare has been a go to author for me ever since I was 12 years old. The Shadowhunter series is one of my favourite series of all time. Sword Catcher is no different. Before sword catcher came out I had no idea what to expect between the characters, specifically Kel and Conor. I was taken by the brotherly between them and you see they continue progress this book. I love Kel and Conor so unbelievably much but the ending between the two pained me. After Lin’s ending in sword catcher she was the one I was most excited to read about and I was so pleasantly surprised by her story. But once again in true Cassandra Clare fashion, her ending pained me. The story progression between many other characters was incredible. We get to learn so much more about them and really delve into what they’re doing and what they’re not doing. We get to meet some new characters that added so many layers to this story. The ending destroyed me and the wait for book 3 may just kill me off. But the romance in this book. There aren’t singular words or even sentences to describe how good they were. I am SO excited to see what happens next. But overall 5/5 stars. This was an epic and the perfect sequel to the perfect book!!

As a huge Cassie Clare fan I was incredibly excited for this second instalment and I am so happy to report it did not disappoint! This world is rich and nuanced and enticing and I could not consume the words fast enough. Ken and Lin make compelling MCs as we delve deeper into their stories as they navigate the aftermath of the violent ending to book 1. There were several reveals throughout that caught me completely unawares and the reveal right at the ending absolutely floored me as it was so flawlessly executed - well done CC! I cannot wait for the next book <3

Cassandra has done it again!
I am a huge fan of her shadow hunter world so exploring this new series has been such a highlight. The drama continues to seriously unfold after the epic ending of Swordcatcher.

Clare writes friendship in such a beautiful and touching way, I am always sobbing at some points in her stories. The Ragpicker King is an exciting, nerve wracking and thrilling continuation of Kel’s story. I couldn’t put it down.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely phenomenal!Cassandra Clare has once again outdone herself with The Ragpicker King! This book is nothing short of brilliant—an absolute triumph in storytelling. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated, drawn into a world so vivid, intricate, and spellbinding that I never wanted to leave.

The characters are masterfully crafted, each one leaping off the page with depth, heart, and unforgettable presence. The plot is a breathtaking rollercoaster of emotion, intrigue, and sheer magic. Every twist and revelation left me in awe, proving Clare’s unparalleled ability to weave a story that is both thrilling and deeply moving.

The writing? Flawless. The atmosphere? Mesmerizing. The experience? Unforgettable. This book is everything I hoped for and more—an instant favorite that I’ll be thinking about for a long, long time.

If you haven’t started this series yet stop everything and dive in. It’s an absolute must-read!

✦5 STARS ✦

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cassandra Clare stepped up her game with this one. While Sword Catcher intended to be a long introduction of the world of Castellane and its characters, the Ragpicker King takes the narrative a few steps further and gives the story a bigger boost to flourish and expand in an interesting and captivating way. There’s more politics, more drama, magic and action and a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader invested to its very last page.
The amount of romance and the beautiful way it was written, was one of the things that I loved the most while reading and the choice of having various character POVs in between chapters, was a great addition to the plot, whose pace is a lot faster than the first book.

Kel, Lin and Conor’s character development is emphasized by the burden of duty and the responsibilities that each one of them have to their people, themselves and most importantly each other. It was intriguing and at the same time heartbreaking to see them dealing with secrets, expectations, forbidden emotions and the inevitable feeling of wrongness and righteousness, while trying to maintain their values and personal identities.
Having that said, I don’t know if it is irony or intention, but the fact that we stay in the dark about Conor’s thoughts, since we see him through other people’s perspectives, makes him an even more complex character and it definitely adds a lot to his story arc. I understand the choice, but him having his own POV is something that I missed regardless.

The last 10% is a roller-coaster of emotions and big revelations, it definitely sets the stakes higher for the books to come and I can’t wait to see what else Cassandra has in store for our beloved characters.

Huge thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ragpicker King picks up three months after Sword Catcher, and you’re immediately immersed once again in the rich landscape of political intrigue and thrilling power struggles of Castellane.

For Lin and Kel, identity is an illusion. As the Prince’s Sword Catcher - come - informant to the notorious Ragpicker King, Kel increasingly struggles to reconcile his multiple characters and the expectations of others. Meanwhile Lin is still navigating the implications of her declaration that she is the Goddess Returned alongside her growing feelings for the Prince.

The Royal Court remains in upheaval following the Shining Gallery slaughter, however dark forces are still plotting on the Hill. Lin and Kel must navigate the depths of the criminal underworld if they are to succeed in saving the kingdom. No strangers to deception, they must decide who they can trust as sinister conspiracies threaten the future of everyone they care about…

Ever since reading the Sword Catcher I’ve been counting down until the release of the next in the Chronicles of Castellane series, and The Ragpicker King does not disappoint!

Keeping this spoiler free, I’ll just say
emotions are raw in this book. There’s forbidden love situations all over the place and betrayals left right and centre. Although nearly all are living very different lives, many of the characters are lost and lonely with questionable moral compasses. But I enjoyed the moral greyness (who doesn’t!) and found myself very much rooting for the anti-heroes.

The pacing of the book is steady, if a little slow in places. But the last 100 pages or so were a wild ride and I truly couldn’t stop reading the final chapters! I can’t wait to see what comes next for Kel, Conor and Lin in The Bone Conjurers.

If Sword Catcher was an introduction to the grand, glittering, and treacherous world of Castellane, then The Ragpicker King is where it all comes to life in a breathtaking, high-stakes game of power, deception, and desire. Cassandra Clare has outdone herself with this sequel, delivering a richly woven tale that is both deeply personal and epically political.

Kel and Lin’s journeys take center stage in ways that feel even more raw and compelling than before. Kel, ever the loyal yet conflicted sword catcher, is caught in a web of lies where every truth he uncovers threatens to shake the foundation of the kingdom. Meanwhile, Lin’s evolution is simply spectacular—her resilience, cunning, and heart make her one of the most fascinating heroines in fantasy right now. The introduction of new POVs adds even more depth, making the story feel grander while still keeping it deeply character-driven.

The worldbuilding is nothing short of stunning. Castellane feels alive—its streets bursting with danger and decadence, its royal court seething with intrigue, and its underbelly ruled by a criminal mastermind as enigmatic as the title suggests. Clare paints the setting with exquisite detail, from lavish court fashions to the tension crackling in dimly lit taverns.

And let’s talk about the romance—the yearning! The love stories are woven so seamlessly into the plot, never overpowering but always present, adding an emotional weight to every decision made. Every relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or built on uneasy alliances—feels rich with complexity, making every interaction pulse with tension.

The twists and turns in this book are masterfully done. Even when you think you see where things are going, Clare has a way of making it hurt in the best way possible. The ending left me absolutely desperate for the next book—so much so that I don’t know how I’m supposed to wait!

If you loved Sword Catcher, prepare to be completely consumed by The Ragpicker King. It’s a dazzling, emotional, and utterly immersive read that proves once again why Cassandra Clare is a master of fantasy storytelling.

Where do I start?!! This book has taken over my life for days and I believe that this will still continue, despite the fact I've now finished!!

I really want to do justice to reviewing this book but it's also so difficult because I just want to write about everything that happened and they're all spoilers😭😂😂

So although I can't really mention pretty much anything without spoiling for others, let me tell you that if you enjoyed The Sword Catcher then you are going to love this even more! The Sword Catcher, feels like it really set all the world building and the initial plots and this is where everything just ramped up. This was so twisty, with clever politics and of course some romance, but I won't mention who, keeping in mind that we are introduced to new characters. But let me tell you that I was here for the romance completely 😍❤️❤️ my jaw actually dropped at one of the twists, I guessed at other things but not this one, even though I questioned things that led to it🙈 I do love being surprised with a good twist though!

I love the depth of these characters, they all lie and omit truths and have their own agendas, and it makes it so easy to suspect people and not know who to fully trust.

This was just perfect and my only gripe is reading it early and now having to wait so long for the next😂😭

Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, Tor and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Ragpicker King was one of my most eagerly anticipated releases of 2025, so, when I was sent an E-ARC I couldn’t contain my little happy dance!

This was everything I wanted and everything I have been longing for in the fantasy world for so long!
Rich world building, dynamic and engaging characters, delicious romances that are filled with tension and yearning rather than just spice for the sake of spice, complex political manoeuvring, twists and turns, and a world that I just fully sink into.

This felt like a deeper dive into who our main characters are and the politics of this world. It feels like we’re more settled into this world and so we could skip so much of the introductions that had to pave the way in Swordcatcher. The Swordcatcher was a 4 star read for me but The Ragpicker King was an easy 5 stars.

Cassandra Clare is a master at creating characters that feel real and once they get their hooks into you, well you can’t help but find yourself rooting for them.

It’s no secret that I struggled to connect with Lin in the Swordcatcher, but somehow I found myself looking forward to her chapters here. It feels like we got a look at what Lin is actually made of, her patience, her stubbornness and I fell in love with her. I also loved the addition of some more POVs – it really strengthened the whole story for me and got me invested in all them.

The romances were also expertly done. But even more than simple love, I was utterly addicted to how well Clare made every one of our characters yearn. They all had things they desired and wanted and needed but each of them were torn, constantly grasping at something just out of their reach. It was delicious and painful to read in equal measure.

The worldbuilding is simply captivating. From the small details of silks from this country and that, to food and drink being rich in a culture’s history, all the way to the bigger political intrigues and kingdom’s interconnected histories. I envision a lot more explanation around the magic systems to come as there’s definitely some big old gaps there – but it felt like Clare was setting this up for it to be worked out in a later book so I’m not worried.

This was an incredibly strong second instalment and I only really have two complaints, neither of which were enough to bring down my rating so make of them what you will.
One, I wish I had been more surprised by the twists at the end. I absolutely understand the need to breadcrumb throughout but I saw all the twists coming a mile away and I would have loved if a couple of clues had been subtler or skipped entirely.
Two, I don’t love that Ragpicker King was set a few months after Swordcatcher. It feels like so much happened in terms of character development (especially for Conor) and I would love if this was explored in the future, maybe in the form of some flashbacks?

I’m going to keep this review spoiler-free. BUT all I will say is I NEED the next instalment immediately!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the Panmacmillan Team for an E-ARC. I could not put this down and I am now seriously sleep deprived but it was worth every minute!

The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare is a masterpiece! This author is a genious! This book is so good that I couldn't put it down for a second. So so good.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me this ebook. All thoughts are my own.

“I so rarely meet people with principles, I forget what they look like.”

This was such a good sequel to Swordcatcher. The characters were interesting and compelling, as well as the plot being, in my opinion, a more exciting step up from book one. Kel and Lin in particular are fantastic main characters. But I really enjoyed seeing Kel’s friends down at the Black Mansion (Jerrod, Merren, Ji-An, and Andreyen). Cassandra Clare knows how to write romance – which only features in this series as a side-plot – but I think her skill with platonic friendships is next level. Seeing the commitment some of these characters have to their friends is not only just lovely to read, but helps prove to be such an important motivator in their decision-making.

I think The Ragpicker King was easier to follow than the first book, which had me confused semi-frequently. Although I had to focus quite hard on keeping track of the characters at the beginning of this one (there are so many, to be fair), I felt like the world makes a lot of sense and you really get a feel for the setting and politics. The book is slow paced in this sense, but it is rewarding. Plus, Cassandra Clare always ends her books so well. I was actually floored. The last 20% or so was fast paced and thrilling. Makes me excited to read the next one.

In the “Ragpicker King” we follow our characters dealing in different ways with the events happened at the end of book one. Both Kell and Lin are still trying to balance out working for the Ragpicker King and keeping up their facade. They discover a plan to destroy the royal family and a very intricate web of liars lying in court. Will Kell and Lin be able to protect Connor?

Personally I enjoyed this volume more than book one. As per usual Cassandra Clare can build lovable characters like no other. Even if they are morally grey, you cannot not root for them. Kell and Lin are my personal favourites, they both had a lot going on in this one and could not catch a break. Connor is still questionable to me, although with the way this one ended, I’m excited to see some growth from him in book three. Antonetta is still a favorite of mine and I loved that she was more present in this one. Also I need more Antonetta X Kell moments. I don’t really care about Connor and Lin’s relationship (sorry).
Although I have to say that this felt a bit slow at times because it’s extremely political, I really enjoyed my time with it.
The plot twists at the end were great, I flew through the last 100 pages trying to untangle the plot and I’m utterly satisfied. Definitely would recommend this series if you’re looking for a political intrigue based high fantasy!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good world, good characters. But the constant mention of abuse (r*ape, humiliation) is gross and completely unnecessary.
The 3 stars are solely because without it, this could have been a great book.

Thank you Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for the eARC!