Sword Catcher (Sword Catcher #1) by Cassandra Clare - Restarting April 15th 2024

[Jenn]

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 as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within 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 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 their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

[Elaina]

I just started today, a little behind schedule. I finished the prolog and cant help thinking that Kel is either a very luck or unlucky boy. He goes from orphan to the prince's sword catcher.

[Johanna]

Elaina wrote: "I just started today, a little behind schedule. I finished the prolog and cant help thinking that Kel is either a very luck or unlucky boy. He goes from orphan to the prince's sword catcher."

I have started this last week, but I am reading this super slowly. I have so much going on, but I am trying to finish this this year. I love your thought! Good point!

[Elaina]

I am a teacher and on break so I finally have time to read on my own terms. I have now made it to chapter 5 and am taking a break for a few hours. So far I love Kel and how his life has changed. Becoming the Sword Catcher helped him make a friend, Prince Conner. I like the relationship they have and that Kel trust Kel over everyone else in the noble family. Now the Ragpicker king has entered the story which suggest some nefarious activity by one/some of the nobles.

[Johanna]

Elaina wrote: "I am a teacher and on break so I finally have time to read on my own terms. I have now made it to chapter 5 and am taking a break for a few hours. So far I love Kel and how his life has changed. Be..."

I agree: characters are likable. What do you think about this being tagges as an adult book? I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy, but I am not sure if this feels like an adult book 🤔 I would love to here if you have more thoughts about Ragpicker king / or his role!

[Elaina]

Johanna wrote: "Elaina wrote: "I am a teacher and on break so I finally have time to read on my own terms. I have now made it to chapter 5 and am taking a break for a few hours. So far I love Kel and how his life ..."

I do see this as more of an adult book compared to Clare's previous books. This has more adult scenes (the brothels and sexual content) and a more complex writing style. Though thos is compared to her other works. I definitely feel this is an attempt to become an adult writer.

I like the idea of the ragpicker king right now. He is a shadow government type that controls the massess involved in crime. I would say the royals worked this out because they are out of touch with most of their citizens. In addition, they know there will be crime so they found a way for it to benefit them. I feel he is the one pulling the strings in the story. My thoughts may change as I continue to read.

[Danique]

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Date changed. Restarting January 10th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Elaina]

Elaina wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Elaina wrote: "I am a teacher and on break so I finally have time to read on my own terms. I have now made it to chapter 5 and am taking a break for a few hours. So far I love Kel a..."

Ok, so I am almost done with this book (starting chapter 24) and King Markus is starting to develop as a character. He has been almost nonexistent this entire book and now hes actually doing some evil things. I want to know more of his backstory. What happened in his past? Will Conner become like this as well? Maybe there will be answers in future chapters or the next book. What are your thoughts on him.

[Elaina]

I just finished it, loved the book! I cannot wait for book 2 now.

[Johanna]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[I just feel for these people: how different lives the rich people have compared to poor people. And Kel thought how there can't be bad things happening in a place this beautiful. Well we all know that has nothing to do with happiness, and that's of course a good thing. He is now going to start his life as a sword catcher. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

I've started, but damn this is a big one haha

[Johanna]

It sure is...

[Kay-Mika]

I will start it at the weekend

[Johanna]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[These chapters are soooo long, I am not sure if they manage to keep my interest this long. So many different things happen in the same chapter, they could easily be separate chapters. It feels like there is so much unnecessary scenes and not that much happens... Main things this far has been The Ragpicker King making an offer to Kel, and some strange stone Lin got. I am a bit confused, just hoping something would start to happen. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[This feels a bit wordy... It's hard to keep myself interested when so many unnecessary things are told between more important ones. Connor got a child bride, the man who blackmailed him (because someone has told him to so) has disappeared. I really don't like this as an adult book, this just doesn't feel like one. If I would have started to read this as YA I might think otherwise. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Well... This definitely was wordy, not so much happened, all the questions were still unanswered at the end of the book... Forgettable book. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Did you end up liking it? I’m sort of struggling with it 🥴

[Johanna]

I didn't. It was hard to keep myself interested, it was so wordy and too little happened... It also felt like YA, even though it was aimed for adults. It just didn't feel like it... It was too medium, easy to forget. It also isn't going to give answers, everything has been left for book 2.

[Kay-Mika]

Elaina wrote: "I just finished it, loved the book! I cannot wait for book 2 now."

Neither can I ^^

[Kay-Mika]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[ In Germany hanse means or came to mean Free city

The Marriage to the Sea
Oh, that tradition is from Venice. Every year on Ascension Day the Doge would take a boat out to the lagoon and throw a ring into the water, as a symbol of the marriage between Venice and the Sea.
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[I love this. These references to mediaeval countries and traditions.
How she describes the Academy? That was the way of mediaeval universities. From the Uniforms to the lodging situation.

85.p.
Cantarella? Poison used by the Borgias. Very prominent under Rodrigo Borgia ( Pope Alexander VI; father of Cesare and Lucrezia ( AC 2 Brotherhood))

86.p.
Who paid Hadja? Will she be in trouble? Will the brothel be in trouble? Is it worth it?

87.p
Why should the Ragpicker King kidnap Kel? What does he want from him?

(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[Which progrom does Cassandra Clare reference here? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ Is Conor supporting this Prosper Beck?

I wonder what kind of illness Petrov has? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[Petrov is going to be murdered, is’tT he? Because of that stone.
These sailors, if they are indeed sailors, have hunted him for the stone? Do they want the stone for themself or for somebody else?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[I wonder with what Antonetta was persuaded?
I find it horrible and so saddening, how Lady Alleyne forced her daughter to change into existing “female” standards and “female” behavior., just because SHE wants Antonetta to marry the prince. How she is using her daughter to gain influence and power
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Isn’t the same done still today?
This reminds me of a Roman triumph, where a Slave stood behind the Imperator and said ‘Memento mori.’

Master Fausten= Doktor Faust (Goethe)? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Here is the thing:
In the mediaeval ages jewish and muslim medicine was far more advanced than christian medicine. That is why it sort of amuses me in AC1, that Malik loses his arm (terrible) because this is such a christiane method.
Also, how badly must he have been wounded that arabic doctors could not save the arm?
but back to Gasquet: yes, his treatments were what actual christian doctors would have prescribed.
And jewish and muslim authors pulled fun of it.
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[I would love to know more about Merren’s past.
And what Artal Gremont has done: I can guess, but…..
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[What was the name of the Maharam’s son? Could he be the Ragpicker King? Would explain the bowl. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Who gave the money to Prosper Beck in the first place? And why?


What does Prosper Beck want with Antonetta
Who wants the monarchy gone? Who profits from it? Outside forces? Because there will be a war, one way or another.
What is in that locket?
Are the King and the Queen really Conor’s parents?Who are Kel’s parents?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[What does Queen Lilibet want to say with that statement?
Was there at least one other child? If so, what happened to them?
Couldn’t they have more?
Come to think of it: Why isn't Conor allowed to travel?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[Who else wants the book?


Honestly, Andreyen reminds me more and more of Magnus Bane
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[Is it possible that Conor is able to wield magic if he has a source stone? (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[A female consultant? The Maharam would be so pissed( deserves him right) (hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[
Why is Antonetta practising sword fighting? I find it suspicious
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 22
Was he really founded by someone on the Hill? Could this have been an elaborate scheme of Sarthe?A really complicated one, but Marakand did something similar with Fausten

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[Since I can’t remember the actual page it as mentioned the first time:
What has Gremont really been doing in The Maze?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 25
(view spoiler)[Oren wants to save Lin? The… nerve of him.
Maybe he needs saving from his own ignorance.
If Oren really loved Lin, he would accept her the way she is.
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 25
(view spoiler)[Oh Lin, what have you done?
But it is a bit like the tale of Jesus, isn't it?
The jews are/ were waiting for a messiah and some believed it would be him.
And in the end he was killed.
Makes me fear for Lin.
On the other hand it would be really funny if Lin really is the goddess.
Or Mariam. She really acted strange there
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

Chapter 25
(view spoiler)[The Grey Serpent? And why should Conor not trust his mother? Or wasn't Gremont really confusing Kel with Conor? What did he know?


What happens if Conor’s blood is spilled?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kay-Mika]

The End
(view spoiler)[Interesting how we have come full circle.
In the beginning Kel was taken from the city (poor) to the castle (riches) to pretend to be the prince at a dinner and now he went to a dinner, pretending to be the prince and leaving the castle for the city.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting April 15th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Brigia]

I have to start a little early, it’s due back at the library.

Prologue - chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ I am hooked! A really interesting world and intriguing main characters. There’s a lot of inequality, both MCs are powerless in their respective first scenes. Antonetta is an interesting side character. Lots of questions, so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Brigia]

Chapter 4 up to chapter 7

(view spoiler)[ So, the king is completely crazy. Poor Connor! The nobles treated him extremely disrespectfully and he does have a temper problem. Somehow I don’t see them following him. Kel is a lot more mature. What big mistake has Connor made? Lin seems to have gotten one of those stones that store magic powers! She seems like the right person for the job, but is it safe for her?

Such an interesting world and everything feels so unstable. I’m ready for Kel and Lin to meet! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

I'm not sure why, but I'm having difficulty picking it up lol, will hopefully get to it soon!

[Brigia]

Danique wrote: "I'm not sure why, but I'm having difficulty picking it up lol, will hopefully get to it soon!"

Well, it is a big book lol - I'm enjoying it!

[Brigia]

Up to chapter 19

(view spoiler)[Wow, so many unexpected events in the last couple of chapters! The king doesn't speak with his son for years and then the first thing he does is have him beaten to unconsciousness?! And he wasn't blameless in this, he had him promised to a princess without even telling him. That was brutal.

Of the two MCs I like Lin better at the moment. Kel seems a bit brainwashed to me. He doesn't even know if he likes the people he spends all his time with! I hope for some character growth - seems like Antonetta might be able to help him along :D

I do like Conor - I think he cares a lot more than people think. I like that he took responsibility for his debts, even though the method was obviously not ideal. I'm really rooting for him and Lin - they have great chemistry! (hide spoiler)]

[Yolbooks]

Starting it tonight, sorry got behind on my reading

[Brigia]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Oh man, I don’t know if Lin‘s plan is a good idea. It seems a bit extreme to lie about that!

On the whole, I enjoyed the story. The world building was excellent and the MCs interesting. I just felt like not much happened until the end and so it was a very slow read for me. (hide spoiler)]