Week 43 Review: Sword Catcher

From Goodreads:

Two outcasts find themselves at the center of world-altering change in the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles.

In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword-Catcher—the body-double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are close as brothers, but Kel knows he has one destiny: to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community who still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls in the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend Mariam without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane's underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces. As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will Lin and Kel's discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

My Review:
I loved reading this book so much! I love her YA books, and I was looking forward to this book and the new world, we've been given a few glimpses of it, of the characters and the world-building for a little while now, and boy was so so great to read! 

The strengths that Cassandra Clare has an an author for me, from the quick and easy addicting writing to just consume the story, to characters that I can easily see doing what they're doing, yeah, it stands strong in this book! 

There were so many moving pieces, with Kel being the sword catcher for Prince Conor, so we had all the politics of the court, and of the future ruler. Then there's Lin, who is from the Ashkar people, who have a special role to play, what with the history of their Queen turned Goddess! 

I loved watching all these plots going along, with all the highs and lows, hurts and healings, and oh, the romance dramas! As things stand right now, I have two couples who I hope are endgame, though neither couple got together in this book, I have hope! 

This was so fantastic, and I can't wait for the sequel! 

Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Sword Catcher #1
Read: October 24th, 2023
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Published: October 10th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars