Reviews with content warning for Racism - Sword Catcher

Sword Catcher feels different to other high fantasy books I’ve read as its main focus is on the characters and the world’s precarious political situation. While it inevitably does have the shadow of a potential war lingering over the story - something I’m sure we will see more of in the coming books - I really enjoyed the less grandiose elements of the plot and I feel they make it stand apart from others in the genre. At many points, it felt like more of a mystery story than your typical fantasy, which for my tastes, worked really well.

The main issue I had with this book is that sadly, the first half of it is far too bogged down by world building. I do love how Cassandra Clare can create such vivid and fantasy worlds, and it is really important in a politically focused story to have its history be fully fleshed out, but the level of detail felt unnecessary at times and too dense for the first half of the book. I personally think that the first half of the book needed to be edited down about 80 ish pages as it was quite slow going at first. However, once I hit the 300 page mark, the pace really picked up and I absolutely flew through the rest of book.

While I did find Lin’s character annoying at times, overall the character’s were interesting, nuanced, and likeable. I really enjoyed my time reading it and I look forward to seeing how the story progresses in future books.

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jla's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The book was a little long and slower paced. Lots of parallels between Europe, Israel, Palestine, and Judaism. TW racism, misogyny, prejudice, war, and genocide. This is a book mainly about political machinations with a little magic and lore.

I loved Connor, Kel, the ragpicker king, and Maesh. Lin I was torn on. She was strong and smart, but her parts were a bit boring. I wish she had more depth than stubbornness. The first 60% was easy to get through. Towards three end it was just waiting for stuff to happen.

I'm not she how I feel about Antoinetta and Kel. I would prefer him with Marin. She seems very clever and ambitious. Hopefully she's not a traitor.

One part that really pissed me off was when Marcus punished Connor. He was such a hypocrite. He had been neglecting his duties, his son, and go duped by a charlatan!

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susanatherly's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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arrr's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

It took me a few chapters to get into this book. A lot of initial setting up of characters and world building. But it's very worth it! Hope I get to read more about these characters.

Physician confronts systemic inequity and bigotry inside and outside her own culture on order to learn what she needs to save as life.

This struggle is cast against the wasteful leisurely wonderfully queer lives of the royals and the guards tasked with keeping them alive.

The magic is powerful. I want to explore more of this huge world.

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rhi_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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lilifane's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

That was surprisingly fun.
It is a little too long and info dumpy at the beginning, but I enjoyed it a lot and couldn't put it down in the end. I'm still confused by the very obvious inspirations for the nations in this world. They feel rather cliché and like lazy world building, although the other parts of the world (the history/myths/magic) are really cool and interesting. I'm definitely curious how the mystery regarding the magic and the prophecies will unfold.
I really like the main characters, I'm intrigued (but also a little frustrated) by their dynamics. Even though a few scenes felt weirdly out of character. Curious about some of the side characters, who have a lot of potential, too.
As for the plot... there was a lot of getting to know the characters and the political atmosphere first, and it felt like the plot wasn't going anywhere. But it definitely picked up towards the end and held some surprises. It's funny how I expected certain things to happen, but then they happened in a way I wasn't expecting. So that was fun.
What was not fun, was one cruel development at the end. I get why it is there and what it means to the plot. But it involves a child, and I really think it didn't need to be one. Feels like a cheap method to create shock value, tbh.

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bookcaptivated's review against another edition

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mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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natashaleighton_'s review

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A gorgeously rich and utterly immersive new epic fantasy, from bestselling author Cassandra Clare—whose signature blend of intrigue, magic and breathtakingly detailed world building takes on a darker, complex (and more mature) edge that adult fantasy lovers will definitely enjoy.

Set in the city of Castellane, we follow two outcasts: Kel, an orphan and body double for the kingdom’s crown prince, and Lin, an Ashkari healer desperate to cure her friend’s life threatening illness, despite the city’s discrimination of her people (due to their ability to use small amounts of magic) and the laws that prohibit her from searching for a magic-based remedy.

The two find their paths inextricably linked, after a failed assassination attempt brings them both into the clutches of The Ragpicker King (ruler of the City’s criminal underbelly.) Which sees them uncover a shadowy plot that could destroy the kingdom—and plunge Castellane into a devastating war.

As a longtime fan of Clare’s Shadowhunter books, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Sword Catcher since it was first announced; and never thought I’d be lucky enough to get my hands on a proof. But by some miracle I did and I’m happy to report that I loved every, deliciously intriguing second of it!

The world building was vividly detailed and the magic system utterly fascinating—I loved delving into the world’s lore, especially surrounding the Ashkari Queen-turned-Goddess, Adassa. But, it was the character-driven narrative that really drew me in with its well developed cast of characters and loveably in-depth protagonists I couldn’t help but root for.

Kel, our orphan turned royal body double was an incredibly complex character; still grappling with his own identity and sense of belonging amongst the city’s power hungry, political elite. His emotional journey—which sees him come to the slow realisation that his life and future will never be of his own—was incredibly compulsive, especially once his path intersects with our other MC, Lin (who I absolutely loved!)

Lin has worked tirelessly to become a healer, mostly in an effort save her friend from an illness normal medicine cannot heal. Her strength and continued compassion in the face of adversity, both because she’s a woman and Ashkari (an ethnic-religious group discriminated against due to their ability to craft and heal using magical amulets) was utterly awe-inspiring. And her confidence and drive had me rooting for her from the very start.

Her interactions with Kel were really entertaining but the sparks that fly (and the intensity that develops) between Lin and Prince Conor was spectacular, though incredibly slow-burn. However, the story itself isn’t focused on romance (in fact, familial and platonic relationships get the biggest focus) so don’t go into this expecting a full on, romantasy-esque love story.

Like Kel’s brotherly bond with Prince Conor which I really enjoyed. Conor, although rather selfish, with a laissez faire attitude that was detrimental at times. I did end up quite liking him and felt that (thanks to Lin’s no-nonsense approach to handling him) he had the potential to become a more self aware and empathetic person, given the right motivations.

I was also pleased that Cassie’s skill at creating loveable secondary characters continues here as I adored getting to meet soo many of the supporting cast. A few of my faves being Mariam ( Lin’s adorably sweet best friend), The Ragpicker King (a mysterious but surprisingly likeable crime Lord) who we definitely didn’t get to see enough of, and his associates Merren (who gave me Magnus Bane meets Wylan Hendriks vibes) and Ji-An (whose intriguing backstory gets a brief mention and has me desperate to know more.)

There’s not much else I can add without spoiling the plot but, I will say it’s a phenomenal series starter that fans of Samantha Shannon, Ariel Kaplan or Leigh Bardugo are going to absolutely love!

Also, a massive thank you to Black Crow PR & Pan Macmillan for the gorgeous proof.

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