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bethsreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Alcohol, Murder, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Drug use, War, Animal death, and Vomit
arrr's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Genocide, War, Xenophobia, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Classism, and Death
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Alcohol, Rape, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use and Injury/Injury detail
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rich world, with interesting characters, more on the adult end with content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Drug use, Alcohol, and Bullying
atropea's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I love this authors books and will read basically anything she writes, but this book was just very slow compared to her others. The world building is amazing but there was a lot that was essentially a setup for the 2nd book that didn't really do much in the first I think. I still liked it and feel invested in the story but it wasn't as good as her other series in my oppinion
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death
Minor: War and Child death
annakh16's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This was great fun. I loved getting to know the world of Castellan - yes, it was slightly heavy on the description sometimes, but overall I think the attention to detail is a strength of the book. Clare builds an intricate and rich world that emerges vividly from the pages.
The characters were also a big plus for this book for me. I loved spending time with Lin and Kel - they’re lovable and interesting to equal measures - and the web of side characters and their many intricacies and connections kept the story going. I definitely hope to see more of their backstories in the next book. (Also Merren fan club, anyone?)
I agree with the people saying the book can feel a bit like merely a prologue to the next instalment. I didn’t mind that too much - exploring the world and relationships in it was enough for me for now, and I think there’s still enough plot to keep it interesting. It all depends on what Clare does with all the plots she teased in the next book.
Some more spoiler critiques: Lin and Connor, why? She‘s much too smart and dedicated for him. Not a fan of whatever exactly their relationship is.
I also think Vienne‘s death came too abruptly (fighting like „Demoselle Death“ in one second and being killed like a fly in the next?) and was a bit of a missed opportunity. Would’ve loved to see more of her.
Overall really enjoyed this and looking forward to the next book.
The characters were also a big plus for this book for me. I loved spending time with Lin and Kel - they’re lovable and interesting to equal measures - and the web of side characters and their many intricacies and connections kept the story going. I definitely hope to see more of their backstories in the next book. (Also Merren fan club, anyone?)
I agree with the people saying the book can feel a bit like merely a prologue to the next instalment. I didn’t mind that too much - exploring the world and relationships in it was enough for me for now, and I think there’s still enough plot to keep it interesting. It all depends on what Clare does with all the plots she teased in the next book.
Some more spoiler critiques:
I also think Vienne‘s death came too abruptly (fighting like „Demoselle Death“ in one second and being killed like a fly in the next?) and was a bit of a missed opportunity. Would’ve loved to see more of her.
Overall really enjoyed this and looking forward to the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Alcohol, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent and Rape
thrntnja's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Medical content
s0litarybe3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Murder, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Rape, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts
deedireads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is Cassandra Clare’s first step away from her massive Shadowhunters universe, and while it’s not perfect, overall I call it a success. It’s definitely different from her previous work, and she’s succeeded in showing that she can write much more adult books.
High level, I enjoyed it and will surely be continuing with the series! The three main characters are excellent. I loved the politics of the world, especially the parts that echo and emphasize Jewish people’s historical oppression and status as outcasts. I also liked how there are clearly lots of tangly layers to uncover in terms of plot.
That said, she’s taking her time here. The Cassie Clare trend of too-long books continues. I think (hope) that this medium-paced book is setting us up for some truly gripping stuff in book two. (Plus, to set expectations for her Shadowhunters fans: there is definitely going to be romance here, but she’s only given us hints at who the OTPs are.)
Last thing: I’m still annoyed that she chose the name Kel for this adopted-royal-bodyguard main character (VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic readers get it). There is a whole universe of names out there for you to choose from, and when people have already accused you of plagiarism in the past, I would think you’d steer clear?? There’s also a magical stone, lol. But I’m happy to report that that’s where the similarities between books end — overall these are very different stories. But like, come on, lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Medical content and Blood
sillygirl1324's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Was really compelling book that kept my hard to keep attention when not in the mood for reading
I found myself drawn to the relationships between the characters while the plot took its time to develop
I found myself drawn to the relationships between the characters while the plot took its time to develop
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Death