“Even Conor's pace was familiar to him. He would have known it anywhere. If I were dead and buried and those feet walked over my grave, I would know those footsteps.”



Wow!! This was my most anticipated read of 2025 and it absolutely blew me away!! I had loved Sword Catcher, but The Ragpicker King is on a whole other level: we are introduced to new, well defined characters, we get to read other povs besides Kel and Lin’s, it’s action packed and with new revelations at every turn.

Clare showed her skill for making everything come together at once, so much so that it was absolutely impossible to put down this book.

Besides the brilliant worldbuilding, this author has a way of making me love almost every character (the “good” ones at least!) even if they couldn’t each be more different from the other. The romance was also done beautifully: there is definitely more of it in this book compared to the first one and I absolutely loved *every* couple: the yearning was chef’s kiss!

As for the main characters: Lin is for sure one of my favourite heroine ever, i love her stubbornness, her patience, her resilience, the way she never lets anyone intimidate her, she’s a rock immovable while the waves crush against it. Her toe-to-toe with a certain character never failed to make me smile, but I will keep this spoiler free!

I also came to appreciate more Antonetta, since we finally have a couple of chapters from her pov as well, she’s very a very different type of character from Lin, one that is definitely more enigmatic and contradictive but fascinating at the same time.

Kel and Conor🥺: my beloved😭, no one can write a friendship/brotherhood like Clare does and I think we had enough proof of that in the Shadowhunters chronicles. Kel is a sweetheart, trusting but clever, a stubborn cinnamon roll with good intentions who always cares too much, while Conor has gone through some changes during the span of 3 months between the end of Sword Catcher and the beginning of The Ragpicker King, and I really appreciated that! He’s always the sarcastic, fashionista, tormented crown prince we got to know in book 1, but he’s more aware of his role and of his actions.

After that ending, it is needless to say that I’m super eager to get back to Castellane!

Thank you very much to the Panmacmillan team and netgalley for graciously granting me a free earc, I slept only two hours to binge read this but it was worth it! All opinions are my own.

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!

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 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.

✦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.

*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!

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.

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.

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.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I need the next book. I need it. I know I’m writing this review before The Ragpicker King has even been released, but I just finished it, and I need more.

I reread Swordcatcher right before diving into this, which made it effortless to slip back into the world of Castellane and its sprawling cast of characters. There are a lot of perspectives in this book, (something that could have felt overwhelming in less capable hands,) but Cassandra Clare masterfully weaves them together into a rich, intricate tapestry of storytelling.

This isn’t the first time Cassie has completely broken me with her characters, and it won’t be the last. Kel and Conor’s friendship in this sequel has wrecked me. I can’t stand it. I need to scream about it with someone immediately. And Lin and Conor? Their romance has utterly consumed me. The angst, the longing, the pining—I love a “they can never be together” dynamic, and this one is delicious. Cassie, I need you to pull off something as perfect as Clockwork Princess in the next book. I’m begging.

No notes. This is easily one of the best things she’s written in years, and I’m so glad she’s expanding into this new world. I’d recommend this series to any fantasy lover. Just be prepared to feel things.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - arc & monthly book box pick reviewer

The Ragpicker King is EVERYTHING I wanted from Sword Catcher's sequel!! More action! More character dynamics! More magic! More suspense! More plot twists! More romance! And SPICE! The Ragpicker King confirms that Cassandra The Plotter Clare 🙌🙌🙌 (long may she reign) is a masterful storyteller crafting complex plot lines but also characters you love with all your heart.

I know many people thought that Sword Catcher was too long, and I agree a little. The Ragpicker King, though, is much more fast-paced, and things are happening all the time!! Yes, it's long, but you're gonna love it! Exceptional plot and amazing characters, as usual in Cassandra Clare's work.

Lin and Kel were awesome, as always! Lin was set on healing her friend, her regular patients, and any patient who needed her help. And with the plot plotting and our characters scheming, Lin definitely had more emergency patients to take care of! I love Lin so much. She never loses sight of who she is and what she wants to do. Her morals are unyielding. She is fast on her beliefs and how the world should be. She is our beacon of morality, and she truly shines like a goddess.

Kel, my Kel, I love him so much!! We don't deserve him. The Aurelians don't deserve him. Nobody deserves him. He is sooooo good. He is smart and quick on his feet. He is brave and constantly puts himself on the line for Connor's sake and for Castellane's sake. I love him so much, people!!! Kel is EVERYTHING!!!

Connor grew up a lot in this book. He finally takes some responsibility as a Prince and actually works a LOT. He suffers from trauma due to one tragic incident and from the situation with his father. For the first time, what he wants is the one thing he cannot get and absolutely cannot keep. It was interesting to see him go through it all and grow up. I am really looking forward to seeing him take action in the next book.

This world is so beautiful, so vivid, so absolutely marvellous that I can walk around Castellane for hours following Cassandra Clare's prose and ridiculously adorable characters. Another thing I love is that the author has made this a diverse world and employed sensitivity readers and people who actually invented the various languages used in the book. She didn't just throw in some words from foreign languages and called it diverse. She paid attention and showed care, and it freaking shows in everything.

I love this series a lot. Yes, it's long, but I love the characters so much. I will follow Lin and Kel to the end of the world and back. The Ragpicker King shows how book 2 can elevate book 1 and make it a million times better. This is how sequels and series should be, one volume better than the previous one without flailing.

Outstanding fantasy series with a mesmerizing world, THE TWISTIEST PLOT, and characters you will gladly lose a limb for.

4.5 stars

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan/Tor and NetGalley UK for letting me read an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

"It is not the poison that kills, but the dose."

I read the first book, Sword Catcher, when it came out two years ago. I admit it that even though I liked it, I wasn't entirely sold. But I trusted Cassandra's writing, and I knew that she would deliver. Well, I am happy to say that this second book convinced me, and I want to know how the story continues. I got a bit attached to the characters too.

The story begins a few months after the events that shook Castellane - both on the hill and in the Sault. The main POV characters are once again Kel and Lin, who offer perspectives from both sides and whose stories intervene and in some ways, mirror each other. In between the chapters there are also shorter POVs from the perspective of other characters, known faces and new ones. I really enjoyed this switch because it let us see a new side to the story. It was like knowing a secret that the main POV characters Kel and Lin didn't know.

There was never a dull moment in this book, and it manages to keep you on your toes until the last page. The pace is what I would define as "balanced", because there was a good balance between plot twists and the general plot/subplots. I also enjoyed how the relationships between the characters (platonic and romantic) developed in this book.

I enjoyed the characters so much. Each character is recognizable and has their own voice, and I liked that we learned more about everyone but at the same time, there are still a lot of secrets to unveil. I was glad that some answers regarding some characters were answered in this book.

I will surely read book 3! There are still a lot of questions to answer and I think that the story just got it started.

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.

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!!!