The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare

Book Review

Pauline Morgan

There are some series of books that can be picked up and understood, wherever the readers starting point is, others deserve to be read from the beginning, not necessarily because it is needed to understand what is going on but to appreciate the complexities of the situation the characters find themselves in. The Ragpicker King is the sequel highly accomplished Sword Catcher.

            The city-state of Castellane is surrounded on three sides by mountains and on the fourth by the sea. Its wealth, from trade, is coveted by neighbouring countries, and although there is uneasiness and suspicion, they are not at war, preferring to form diplomatic and trading alliances. Thus, a marriage to Prince Conor, heir of the Castellane ruling family, would be advantageous. But the last princess who was betrothed to him was murdered at the betrothal celebrations.

            Within Castellane, society is stratified. The very wealthy – the Charter Families who advise the King, and their acolytes – live separately from the rest of the city and flaunt their wealth. Many of the heirs to the Families have grown up with and are Conor’s friends. There has long been a whispered tradition that there is a King of the Hill (Conor’s father, Markus) and a King of the City. He is the Ragpicker King and is said to lead the criminal guilds. There is an unwritten understanding that both are necessary to keep the peace in Castellane. Also, an integral part of Castellane is the Sault. This is an enclave where the Ashkari live. They have their own customs and traditions but contribute to society through their skill as physicians. Lin Castor is one of these, but when her desire to consult ancient texts in the hope of finding a cure for her friend, Mariam, she comes into conflict with the Ashkari leaders. In her desperation, she claims to be the Goddess reborn. She will be tested, and failure will mean permanent exile from Castellane and ostracism from her people.

            Lin is not the only one facing problems. Prince Conor will have to choose a bride, and since the last princess he was betrothed to was murdered at the betrothal celebrations, everyone is understandably nervous in case this happens again. For him, the marriage will be a political match until he realises that he is falling in love with Lin and marriage between them will be impossible. He does, however, ask her to be physician to his father. King Markus seems to be declining into madness, and Conor wants a cure found.

            Kel is Conor’s Sword Catcher. He was chosen at the age of ten to be the Prince’s body double and stand in for him on occasions where there may be danger. Most people think he is Conor’s cousin. Having grown up amongst the wealthy, he is in an ideal position to see what goes on in high society. He is a bridge between the Charter Families and Andreyan’s, the Ragpicker King, domain. Andreyan is sure that Castellane is in danger, especially from the Malagasi. Both Kel and Lin have a refuge in the Black Mansion, Andreyan’s home, Lin to consult books she otherwise doesn’t have access to and Kel to learn techniques familiar to the criminal classes. He is also spy and messenger.

            One of Conor and Kel’s childhood friends is Antonetta. Kel loves her but knows that an alliance between them is out of the question. It isn’t just jealousy that sets him against the man Antonetta’s mother has arranged for her to marry. Artal Gremont is a cruel, abusive man who was exiled for his behaviour, particularly towards women. He has returned because his father was one of the victims of the attack that killed Conor’s first betrothed. He is heir to the tea Charter and, as such, is a suitable match for Antonetta, and she is not given a choice.

            Add into the mix a number of young men with time on their hands and money at their disposal, and a Malagasi assassin who wants to create mayhem and a traitor close to the Prince. The plot is complex, with plenty of twists and betrayals. The overall result is a book that is a gripping read with characters a reader wants to invest in. The biggest drawback is that the story is unfinished, and I have to wait for Clare to publish the next book to find out what happens next.