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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cassandra Clare has still got it. I continue to love her characters and stories whether they're aimed at a YA audience or adults like this series.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Romantasy you have let me down again...
I surprisingly really enjoyed the first one and was so excited when I was able to get hold of the sequel quickly, but man... I think Clare slipped back into her Shadowhunter writing habits for this one bc it felt very derivative of those books, except with more explicit sex scenes and nipples
- First of all why is this book even called The Ragpicker King. He was just a glorified plot device to send Kel out on jobs, and yeah we learn his identity but it was way in the end and didn't even matter. My theory is that the book was originally going to be more focused on him, but the plot went through an overhaul at some point. Maybe bc it was originally meant to be a duology but got extended?
- There are a lot of dropped plotlines from the previous book. For example, the guy who had the source-stone before Lin. He was all but confirmed to be murdered by people looking for him but it's just...completely forgotten?? Like you would think Lin would think about him at least a little bit since he was her patient but...no? There was also an implication that the stone was kinda sentient/corrupting but here it's just a tool for using magic.
- In general it feels like the magic and the religion took a backseat in this novel in favor for the Cassie Clare classic melodramatic romances. I enjoyed the history book snippets from the previous novel but they've been replaced with POVs from other characters (and why did Lin get these when she was already a POV character?)
- Lin's Goddess trials feel like an afterthought in contrast to what's promised on the dust jacket
- The romances felt derivative of Clace and Wessa, especially Lin and Conor. You got the "normal" girl who's actually really powerful in a forbidden love with the rich guy who seems insufferable but is actually super tortured, the miscommunication, the "I'm breaking up with you for your own good." And yeah, I agree with that goodreads review that said the sex scenes feel like guerilla attacks lol. I think Lin and Conor really needed to be more of a slowburn to work
- Kel and Antoinetta, on the other hand, had zero chemistry. Antoinetta seems like she's more interested in girlbossing than Kel, and it feels like Kel is in love with a version of her in his memories. This seems to change at the end so maybe their relationship will develop in the next book. Also for a book set in the world where there's no prejudice against same-sex relationships, the focus is way too much on the boring straight ones
- also it feels like Kel/Conor's relationship is downplayed here. Not nearly as much sword catching and they both hide way too many things from each other
- the antagonists are basic and cookie-cutter evil villains. Cassie Clare isn't known for compelling villains but for an adult book you'd think she'd try harder
- idgaf about the black mansion crew, although merren/jerrod were cute
- Cassie Clare really decided to play the "ugh I'm just a commoner how can i fit in with these stupid nobles at this stupid ball in my beautiful dress" card four times huh
- One positive: I actually liked conor more in this one. It's rare to see male characters like him get affected by horrible events and earnestly try to improve themselves in series like these
Anyway I'm much less excited to read the next book now. Romantasy we are DONE
I surprisingly really enjoyed the first one and was so excited when I was able to get hold of the sequel quickly, but man... I think Clare slipped back into her Shadowhunter writing habits for this one bc it felt very derivative of those books, except with more explicit sex scenes and nipples
- First of all why is this book even called The Ragpicker King. He was just a glorified plot device to send Kel out on jobs, and yeah we learn his identity but it was way in the end and didn't even matter. My theory is that the book was originally going to be more focused on him, but the plot went through an overhaul at some point. Maybe bc it was originally meant to be a duology but got extended?
- There are a lot of dropped plotlines from the previous book. For example, the guy who had the source-stone before Lin. He was all but confirmed to be murdered by people looking for him but it's just...completely forgotten?? Like you would think Lin would think about him at least a little bit since he was her patient but...no? There was also an implication that the stone was kinda sentient/corrupting but here it's just a tool for using magic.
- In general it feels like the magic and the religion took a backseat in this novel in favor for the Cassie Clare classic melodramatic romances. I enjoyed the history book snippets from the previous novel but they've been replaced with POVs from other characters (and why did Lin get these when she was already a POV character?)
- Lin's Goddess trials feel like an afterthought in contrast to what's promised on the dust jacket
- The romances felt derivative of Clace and Wessa, especially Lin and Conor. You got the "normal" girl who's actually really powerful in a forbidden love with the rich guy who seems insufferable but is actually super tortured, the miscommunication, the "I'm breaking up with you for your own good." And yeah, I agree with that goodreads review that said the sex scenes feel like guerilla attacks lol. I think Lin and Conor really needed to be more of a slowburn to work
- Kel and Antoinetta, on the other hand, had zero chemistry. Antoinetta seems like she's more interested in girlbossing than Kel, and it feels like Kel is in love with a version of her in his memories. This seems to change at the end so maybe their relationship will develop in the next book. Also for a book set in the world where there's no prejudice against same-sex relationships, the focus is way too much on the boring straight ones
- also it feels like Kel/Conor's relationship is downplayed here. Not nearly as much sword catching and they both hide way too many things from each other
- the antagonists are basic and cookie-cutter evil villains. Cassie Clare isn't known for compelling villains but for an adult book you'd think she'd try harder
- idgaf about the black mansion crew, although merren/jerrod were cute
- Cassie Clare really decided to play the "ugh I'm just a commoner how can i fit in with these stupid nobles at this stupid ball in my beautiful dress" card four times huh
- One positive: I actually liked conor more in this one. It's rare to see male characters like him get affected by horrible events and earnestly try to improve themselves in series like these
Anyway I'm much less excited to read the next book now. Romantasy we are DONE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I ended up enjoying Sword Catcher, but this one? This one ended up feeling so much more like a Cassie Clare novel for me than that one. The stories were higher, the characters had way more depth & there were so many reveals/betrayals. I can genuinely say now I can't wait for the next book.
adventurous
funny
tense
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
KEL SAREN SUPREMACY
4.75 stars
This book was SOOO GOOD!
I'm sick that I don't have the next book already. I love love loved this book. The pacing was fantastic- full of action yet still tons of amazing world building and character growth.
I am proud that I predictedJoss Falconet was the traitor, but I literally SCREAMED when I found out about Asher and about Prosper Beck (I should've figured this one out).
I'm literally foaming at the mouth for the next installment! I was a little irritated by the oh Kel is a traitor thing but at least Conor still loved him in the end ughhh Antonetta was so romantic trying to get Kel a charter but tbh Conor and Lin have my heart! Lowkey though why is Aron ππ
And Mayesh! Love my grandpa. I love Merren, Jerrod, and Ji-An, too. Literally gushing because Cassie just does this to me EVERY TIME!!
This book was SOOO GOOD!
I'm sick that I don't have the next book already. I love love loved this book. The pacing was fantastic- full of action yet still tons of amazing world building and character growth.
I am proud that I predicted
I'm literally foaming at the mouth for the next installment! I was a little irritated by the oh Kel is a traitor thing but at least Conor still loved him in the end ughhh Antonetta was so romantic trying to get Kel a charter but tbh Conor and Lin have my heart! Lowkey though why is Aron ππ
And Mayesh! Love my grandpa. I love Merren, Jerrod, and Ji-An, too. Literally gushing because Cassie just does this to me EVERY TIME!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
If the first one was 90% world-building, this one was 100% plot. My god almighty, if you have trouble getting through the first book and thought this one was gonna be the same, think again. The entire story is laid out and you can solve the mysteries, if you only look hard enough. Major, major kudos to Clare for being able to craft such intense and interesting worlds that make you scream when you realize the series isnβt a duology