Sword Catcher

Sword Catcher was my first book by Cassandra Clare and I simply loved it! The story mainly follows two characters as they navigate politics and intrigue. Kel was raised as the princes body double, the "Sword Catcher", after being taken from an orphanage as a child. His sole purpose is to die for Prince Conor should such a situation ever arise. Lin Caster on the other hand is a physician born into the community of the Ashkar. Both are drawn into the orbit of the Ragpicker King and the criminal underworld of Castellane. The world-building and character development are slow, but it's needed to understand the world, magic system and politics that build this story. I loved the complex and very well developed characters as the story is more character- than story-driven. It's fantastic to get to know the protagonists really well and develop a feeling for the world before the storyline picks up in the second book.

One of my favorite books of the year! Cassandra Clare manages to capture her readers once again - this time with a brand new world apart from her Shadowhunters universe. Her prose, detailed world-building and character developments create an amazing reading experience with similar vibes to "Six of Crows". Huge recommendation for fantasy lovers with a faible for morally grey characters and underworldish vibes!