YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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?

Sword Catcher (The Chronicles of Castellane #1) by Cassandra Clare will be one of our GBRs for June 2024.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

Prologue
(view spoiler)[I wonder what happens to Cas and if SisterBonafilia is somehow related to Kel? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ What strange dreams Lin has (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ Mayesh:0
Lin:1
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ The Ragpicker King reminds me somehow of Magnus Bane. I really can't say why ^^ (hide spoiler)]

Chapter13/14
(view spoiler)[Just something I relaised, or better imagine: even if the story is about Adassa it is remarkably how much Judah Makabi' is put to the forefront. He is always there, doing all the important stuff. HE is the one , who convinced the people to trust in Adassa,HE is sent to spy on the king, HE is leading the of Aram to safety and it is HIM that has the vision of the Goddess Adassa.
Yes, maybe I am a little bit mistrustful, but I think the story is a little bit too one sided. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ What does Joss want to tell Conor about Lin? What was Germont about to say before he died? Questions about Questions.>/spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Finished
How the f*ck am I supposed to recover from a book like this?