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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of The Ragpicker King.

I absolutely loved reading the first book in this series and this book was no different. It seamlessly picks up from where the story left off whilst taking the plot and characters in new and amazing directions.

I think this book tops the first significantly and I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series! We got so much more from the characters and the plot in this one and I was so much more interested in reading this than the first. I love the exploration of the politics and the multiple perspectives from different characters that really took this to the next level.

The ending of the book beautifully wraps up this section of the story, whilst providing several jaw dropping moments which perfectly set up the next in the series.

The Ragpicker King picks up where the Sword Catcher left off and OMG the reveals, the twists and the character development from the first book are phenomenal.

In the Ragpicker king we follow Lin, Kel and Conner as they navigate life after the Shining Gallery. Kel is tasked with investigating who the perpetrators were of the Massacre and continues to work with the ragpicker king's gang to find answers.

There is so much political intrigue and court politics both inside Marivent and the Sault as we follow Lin after she declared herself the goddess reborn in book 1.

This book is more of everything I loved about Sword Catcher and I am now sad I have to wait for the third book because I cannot wait to find out the conclusion to the story.

4.5 rounded to 5

"The Ragpicker King" by Cassandra Clare is the second book in The Chronicles of Castellane. It follows Kellian's adventure as the sword catcher of the Prince of Castellane and Lin's life as an outsider among her own people, the Ashkar. Full of plot twists, forbidden love, and heartbreaking scenes, Sword Catcher introduced the world-building and the numerous characters, while The Ragpicker King gave us an intriguing plot and unforgettable relationships.

Please be aware that there may be spoilers for the first book in the following review!

Kel is forced to juggle between two different worlds kings, torn between his need to protect Conor and the urge to hide everything from him. As in the first novel, Kel is pictured as the prince's body double, never himself, always ready to give up everything to respond to Conor's orders. This inner battle is deepened and it's impossible not to feel his torment: always someone else, never himself. And yet, Kel isn't as careful as he thought himself to be, the consequences of his lies will turn against him in the worst possible way. Even though such an ending was to be expected, I appreciated how the author scattered subtle clues throughout the book that only at the end revealed Kel's missteps.
His relationship with Antonetta still acts as a backdrop to Kel's storyline. The author focuses on his role at the Black Mansion and the conspiracy against the Aurelians rather than the consuming love he feels for her.

However, the tension pulling them closer and closer can't be compared to Conor and Lin's love story. How I loved reading about their quarrels and shouted confessions, a forbidden romance that lives to its premises. Two lovesick people who will yearn for one another until the bitter end. I can admit that I wanted to read more about Conor's development, for it's not shown to the reader, but merely mentioned. His inner turmoil would have given him a greater depth, I really missed his point of view.
On the other hand, I despised Conor's behavior at the end. He helped Kel, but I hated how he treated Lin even if he only meant to save her from the scheme threatening to destroy House Aurelian.
Lin remains such a great character. A strong woman who will do anything to save her childhood best friend, even claiming to be the Goddess. In the sequel she has to face the Exilarch's doubtful glances and the imminent trials that will test her powers and ensure that she's truly the Goddess returned. She keeps working with the Ragpicker King and his employees, investigating the Shining Gallery slaughter, though the focus remains on her relationship with Conor.

The world-building and the atmosphere described by the author remain one of my favorite things in the entire novel. It reminds me of a mixture of Rome and Venice and I love fantasy books with settings inspired by Italian cities!
However, the magic system remains fuzzy and requires more investigation. I hope to learn more about it, especially about Lin's power, in the third book, which is needed! Cassandra Clare can't leave us with such an unexpected revelation!

All in all, The Chronicles of Castellane-- and this second book in particular-- is a fantasy romance with epic elements that will keep you glued to the pages until the very end. I highly recommend it to fans of Shadowhunters and Throne of Glass!

This is the rare second installment in a (presumably) trilogy, where a lot is happening. I enjoyed this more than the first book, because the characters were more fleshed out and especially Conor and Lin, who were both a bit one-dimensional in Swordcatcher, felt more like actual people to me in this one. I've always liked Cassandra Clare's writingstyle and I spent my teenage years devouring every shadowhunter story I could get my hands on. That's why I'm used to her books having many different POVs. I'm glad, that she brought this back in this book, because I feel like even the glimpses of someone else's perspective add a lot to the narrative.
I was a bit thrown off by the spicy scenes (eventhough there weren't many and they were quite tame), since this otherwise still read very YA-fantasy.

A lot is happening in the last few chapters and some of it I didn't see coming at all. Granted, I wasn't paying as much attention as I usually would, while reading, so some clues slipped right past me.

One small thing that bothered me in book one already is Conors title (is it a title? I'm not sure, english is my second language), because "Monsignore" is a title for a religious priest in this actual reality we're living in, so a prince in this fantasy world having a title that sounds the absolute same was throwing me off a lot.

I thought this was a duology so imagine my surprise come the ending. However, I love a Cassandra Clare book so so much and this series is no different. It keeps me on the edge of my seat, I love these characters ajd the politics of this world so much. Honestly she could write a grocery list ajd I'd still read it happily.

I really enjoyed this book, but I couldn’t help feeling that some elements deserved more attention. Lin’s prophetic dream of Conor torturing someone? Never addressed. And Joss’s betrayal… I still have so many questions. Why did he do it? How did he grow up alongside them while secretly harboring resentment? Hopefully, with two more books on the horizon (and maybe more), these mysteries will unravel as the story continues.

That said, I’m beyond excited for what comes next. Lin setting off on an adventure with the Exilarch? The possibility of political maneuvering? Romantic tension brewing? The potential for angst is sky-high, especially if Conor finds out. I was certain we’d get some jealousy-fueled moments in this book, but nope. When Conor casually dismissed the Exilarchs as old, I thought, “Oh, just wait…” — and then they never even met. Talk about missed opportunities!

And Lin and Conor?? I did not see that coming. Publicly, against a wall, in the rain? I was speechless. The fact that they both separately imagined a child with gray eyes was so bittersweet. Conor’s reaction when Lin revealed she took Plan B (Ashkar Edition™) really hit me. It felt like he secretly wanted her to get pregnant, as if that would’ve bound them together, even if marriage wasn’t an option. His offer to make her his mistress? I’m still processing that. Lin’s initial refusal made perfect sense, but her eventual change of heart, followed by Conor’s coldness afterward, was hard to watch. The whole time I kept thinking, “Conor, what are you doing? Don’t go down this path.” And when Kel got captured, I was convinced the Crawlers would swoop in to save him — only for Conor himself to show up.

Antonetta being Prosper Beck? That twist knocked me sideways. I know some readers saw it coming, but I was completely blindsided. I never cared much for Antonetta in the first book — she came across as shallow. Even when Kel hinted there was more to her, I wasn’t convinced. Learning she became a criminal not out of survival but because she was bored and privileged? Yeah… that didn’t make me like her any more. Kel confronting her about it and her nonchalant response?

And Lin’s exile? So unfair. She aced the test, yet they still cast her out. It feels like Conor and Lin are echoing Adassa and Suleman’s story, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Conor ends up claiming a Source-Stone of his own, making them equals in the truest sense. Who knows — maybe they’ll even get their gray-eyed family after all. Lilibet’s reaction when she finds out who her future daughter-in-law might be? Priceless.

Another incredible book by Miss Cassandra Clare, it was so good I couldn't put it down I devour it in 5 hours, it was that good.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

A very solid second book here! Enjoyed where the story went from the first book. The yearning was god tier! Cassandra Clare knows what’s what and can deliver in that department! Great world building, great political structure and the ending… give me the next book!! Sometimes the story lost me and felt ever so slightly disconnected but tbh it may have been more of a me problem than an issue with the book. Defo recommend this series!