The Sword Catcher Review
Ever since the Shadowhunter universe was introduced in the Mortal Instruments series, I’ve been a fan of Cassandra Clare. So naturally, I was thrilled when Sword Catcher came out!
I fully expected this book to be like Caraval or Carnival Row, the show with Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevigne. And I was right to a degree, but I mostly wrong.
The premise of The Sword Catcher centers on an intriguing tradition in the city of Castellane: every Aurelian prince is assigned a "sword catcher:” a body double trained to protect the prince by stepping into harm’s way when needed. With the help of a little magic, these doubles are made to closely resemble the royals they serve.
Prince Connor Aurelian is no exception. At the age of ten, he’s paired with an orphan named Kel, who is raised and trained alongside him. Though not bound by blood, the two grow up as brothers, (well, more like very close cousins) with a bond shaped by duty, loyalty, and the roles they’re forced to play.
And that’s where I’m going to leave it so as not to spoil anything.
The world-building in The Sword Catcher is nothing short of immersive. The story unfolds across two distinct cities: one of wealth and privilege, the other of poverty and survival, with a secret third city hidden within their shadows. Each setting feels fully realized, complete with its own characters, politics, and interwoven storylines, creating a layered and vibrant world that’s easy to get lost in.
The story continues in The Ragpicker King, which, fun fact, I stumbled upon as a signed copy at one of my local bookstores (a very happy accident!).
I actually enjoyed this second installment even more than the first. It gave me strong Six of Crows vibes, with its focus on the darker corners of the city and the morally gray characters who thrive there. The plot dives deeper into the seedy underbelly of Castellane, full of schemes, sleight of hand, and shadowy alliances that kept me hooked from start to finish.
All in all, I recommend the series. I enjoyed diving into this world and can’t wait for the third installation, The Bone Conjurers to be released. There is yet no publication date.