Sword Catcher (Chronicles of Castellane)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two outcasts find themselves caught in a web of dangerous magic and dark secrets that could change the world forever in the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles.
“Everything I look for in fantasy.”—George R. R. Martin
A POPSUGAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
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 and Conor are as close as brothers, but his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.
Lin Caster is a physician from a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. But despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend 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 ruler of Castellane’s criminal underworld. But as long-kept secrets begin to unravel and forbidden attractions arise, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?
“Everything I look for in fantasy.”—George R. R. Martin
A POPSUGAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
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 and Conor are as close as brothers, but his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.
Lin Caster is a physician from a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. But despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend 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 ruler of Castellane’s criminal underworld. But as long-kept secrets begin to unravel and forbidden attractions arise, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?
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Community Reviews
So SLOW!! Rating is for the character arcs, plot and world building. It gets really good in the last 10 chapters. Hoping there will be a second one and that will be better… massive Cassandra Clare fan, so this book was a little disappointing (until the end).
I adored this. I know it’s maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but I love a slow burn. And this book shows us everything so slowly, peeling back bits and pieces—revealing plot and characters and FEELINGS so slowly. I really enjoyed it. I felt like I understood the court politics and still came to the end, longing for more. I adore Lin. I fucking love her. I will die on the hill of Lin. And her forbidden romance? Yes please. She’s crazy and I love her. Prince Conor and Kel—it’s such an interesting relationship. I love to see it evolve, even within the book.
I will say that it’s a little slow at times and there’s not as much action—as there is world building and character building. It bothered me a bit mid-book but picked up towards the end. Mostly, Lin carried this book for me and some reviewers said this book was too similar to other books. However, I haven’t read them! So—I will just enjoy this one and definitely pick up the next one. Read this if you enjoy: strong willed women; complex politics and lots of plots lines that feel messy but in a good way.
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