Review: The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare

Blurb:

Kel Saren, body double to Conor, crown prince of the dazzling city of Castellane, is caught between two worlds. In order to protect his beloved prince, Kel must find the culprits responsible for a massacre at the royal palace—and the only clues are held by the Ragpicker King, the notorious criminal who rules Castellane’s underworld. The trail Kel follows leads back to the Hill, where among decadent nobles and glittering parties a dark conspiracy to destroy the royal family has taken hold—a conspiracy headed up by the monstrous Artal Gremont, the man engaged to marry the woman Kel adores.

Meanwhile, Lin Caster must face the aftermath of the greatest risk she’s ever taken. To save the life of a dying friend, Lin has falsely claimed to be the Goddess Reborn, the legendary heroine destined to save her people. Now the terrifying—but strangely magnetic—leader of her people has arrived to test her powers. The price of failure is exile, and only through her alliance with the Ragpicker King can she continue to access the magic that may save her.

Then Prince Conor reappears in her life, demanding that she use her healing powers to cure the madness of his father, the King. Lin soon realizes the King is gripped by an ancient and terrible magic, one whose lure she cannot deny any more than she can deny her growing passion for Conor.

As the simmering tensions in Castellane reach a fever pitch, Lin and Kel must decide who to trust when any false move means death—or worse.

Review:

“I bleed so that you will not bleed. I die so you can live forever."
"No one lives forever, Kel.”

Oh my gosh, I have been reading Cassandra Clare for YEARS, and no one else does a book two like she does.  THE HEARTACHE and THE PAIN.  I was under the impression that this was a trilogy, but I do notice now that the name has been changed to “The Sword Catcher Series,” which may indicate additional books, yay!!

I may have named one “The Goddess Returned” because I feel that Lin had a far bigger plot in this, than the Ragpicker King did, then book three might have been called the Phoenix King, but alas, “The Bone Conjurers” will have to do!

At one point the author describes Conor as “so beautiful, black ink hair and graceful like a heron.” If you have read her Infernal Devices series maybe you will scream too? I was like WILLLLLLLLL HERONDALE, oh yeah, I loved that little easter egg. 

“You know, I cannot hurt him.”

“I think you can hurt him more than he has ever been hurt. And even if I cannot stand in front of him to block this blow, I can stand beside him while he endures it.”

I will always say that Cassandra Clare does the best friendships in books.  If you are familiar with her Shadowhunter Book series, you know some of what I am talking about here.  The friendships have the same tension and heartache as the romantic relationships do. 

This book has 2 main narrators though we do see occasional glimpses from other POV characters

Kel – Our precious Swordcatcher. Kel is spending wayyyy too much time with at the Black Mansion with the Ragpicker King trying to uncover the people responsible for the massacre that happened at the end of book 1. I love his fierce loyalty to Conor, and their beautiful friendship! I was extra worried about him when he stole a magic amulet, (doesn’t he know not to touch potentially cursed items??). His adventures with the Ragpicker King do have a plot purpose, and it SERVED. Also, this slow burn with Antonetta(!!?!!), is the yearning I know and love Cassandra Clare for!

Lin – After announcing that she was the Goddess Reborn at the end of book 1, Lin is using all the time she has to research cures for her friend Miriam who has a recurring disease. Lin only has until her Trial by the leaders of the Ashkar people to use the forbidden books to treat Miriam. Honestly, she’s the most selfless person in the world and should be protected at all costs.  Having Conor bring her in to work on his father was an excellent way to keep drawing these characters together. 

Conor -  Our sweet prince, buckling under the weight of the deaths from the Shinning Gallery, and the weight of the Kingdom, and taking care of his father. Still finds time to fall in love with Lin, and break everyone’s heart, also he’s engaged again, and it’s not going to well this time either (haha, poor Conor, these princesses are just not gonna work).

I did enjoy getting to know a bit more of the world of these characters, with a new princess we introduce another country into the mix. And with the return of the Ashkar Exilarch, we learn more about their history and their people, who remind me a bit of the “Tuatha’an” from Wheel of Time or “the Tribes” from Ember in the Ashes, there are some similarities to the  Jewish religion as well. 

“Having kissed her, touched her, how could he be able to return to a life in which he could do none of those things?”

Spoilers:

I thought the reveal of the Ragpicker King background was well done, and look forward to more of his story coming out, and maybe for his people to recognize him. 

Kel and Conor’s final moments together had me sobbing.  The author created a moment of hope that was so heartfelt, that it was more emotional that if someone had died. Super impressed. If Conor had that talisman, he might not need a SwordCatcher, BUT HE GIVES IT TO KEL TO SAVE HIS LIFE INSTEAD!?! (Still sobbing, sorry)

Conor and Lin – oh man, I wish they had made different choices, I’m very invested in them together, and will be anxious until they are reunited, I hope Lin and the Exilarch find a different path, like friendship, rather than another side of a love triangle.

Prosper Beck’s reveal really surprised me, I went back a compared a few exchanges and I don’t think I saw this coming, but for the most part it works. I do hope to see some additional reasons why this character chose to cultivate this identity. 

“For what happens to those who come too close to the Gods? Only ruination.”

If I have a complaint about this book, it is a small (possibly personal) thing.  There are just too many characters and peoples whose name(s) start with the letter “A”.

Antonetta Alleyne
Anjelica Iruvai
Aron Benjudah
Andreyen
Asher Benezar
Artal Gremont
Conor AURELIAN
Kel ANJUMAN
Aristide Jolivet
The Ashkar
Merren ASPER
Alys ASPER
Audeta

“You are my unbreakable armor. And you will not die.”

This was definitely one of my favorite books of March and will probably be one of my top this year!  It’s definitely a new favorite for the Cassandra Clare shelf at my house!

Would I reread? Absolutely yes, I did tab all the parts I thought I would like to review for the next books release, but the vibes were vibing and I might just reread the whole thing!

Would I recommend? Yes, if I had any reservations from book 1, this book has put them to rest, I adore this series and think its palatable for all adult readers!  

Recommended for Fans of Game of Thrones, Six of Crows and Wheel of Time