Overall, I am intrigued to see where Cassandra Clare will take us on this new journey. I think it was time we left the Shadowhunter world (I write as my heart breaks), as Clare needs to expand herself as an author and explore other stories and worlds. I for one must agree with Martin on every point. Clare’s first high fantasy novel is set a wonderfully built world that’s introduced bit by bit, something fantasy often forgets to do. Moreover, Sword Catcher finds a triumphant balance between plot and character, but more on that later. Lin felt quite similar to other female protagonists shunned for doing what they believe in. This does not make her boring, but just typical. However, I do like how she is challenged by those around her to consider a world larger than her own aspirations.

DISCOVER THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES FROM THE GLOBAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SHADOWHUNTER CHRONICLES!The info dump that was done throughout the book paired with long chapters kept making me zone out. Idk what the author was trying to achieve with such useless information at times. From the world building to the color of a wall, everything is being dumped. Trust me this book needs like two more edits. I was skimming in the second half.

The Last Hours is a Shadowhunters trilogy set in 1903 in Edwardian London. It follows the children of characters from The Infernal Devices, though you can certainly read it without knowing those books. Now is a great time to start catching up to be ready for book three! This felt quite different to Cassandra Clare’s other work. Even her writing style seems changed. If you’re going in expecting her usual romantic writing and beautiful pining, you won’t get that here. I considered doing that too, (esp. because the writing wasn't much fun) but after 27% or so into the book, things changed, became interesting and stopped irritating me. It’s the story of an orphan whose life is stolen in service to the royal family. They must act as a body double to the crown prince, to protect him and die in his place, if need be. Kel and Prince Conor’s relationship is a tangle of love, understanding, and a hint of resentment. Sword Catcher is also the story of a singularly gifted healer whom society won’t let become a physician because of her gender. Only Lin may have the key to more than just curative remedies within her. Many other characters frame the action, from nobles to common folk to criminals, all of it taking place in a fictional city state that seems to come alive with vivid descriptions. Like many high fantasy series, Sword Catcher may feel like it’s set in medieval Europe, but it’s not that easy to pinpoint. On one hand you have the systemic misogyny and the historically realistic segregation of a religious minority, on the other you have the utopian widespread acceptance of sexual freedom, with queerness being normalized without question even in the royal family. Diversity may seem welcome but Clare did not set out to create a perfect fairy tale world; she built one that is different from ours and yet similar at the core. Like us, Castellani hate what they don’t understand. Sword Catcherrepresents a new horizon for Cassandra Clare

Read Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

I can’t say the pacing of this book was off because there wasn’t much to pace. There wasn’t much going on to really move the plot forward. Halfway through the book, I started feeling like I wanted things to wrap up so I could finish reading, which isn’t a fun way to feel while reading a book, especially one I was so excited about! Clare plunges us into a thrilling world built with precision and brimming with enchantment. Her spellbinding cast of outlaws, healers, royals, and rogues will have you questioning your allegiances with every delicious turn of the plot. This is fantasy at its finest.” —Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hell Bent