The Ragpicker King

Written by Cassandra Clare

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Christian Coulson

In the epic follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Sword Catcher, praised by George R. R. Martin as “everything I look for in fantasy,” Lin and Kel must chart a perilous course between love and lies.

ONE OF PASTE’S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Kel Saren, body double to Conor, crown prince of the dazzling city of Castellane, is caught between two worlds. In order to protect his beloved prince, Kel must find the culprits responsible for a massacre at the royal palace—and the only clues are held by the Ragpicker King, the notorious criminal who rules Castellane’s underworld. The trail Kel follows leads back to the Hill, where among decadent nobles and glittering parties a dark conspiracy to destroy the royal family has taken hold—a conspiracy headed up by the monstrous Artal Gremont, the man engaged to marry the woman Kel adores.

Meanwhile, Lin Caster must face the aftermath of the greatest risk she’s ever taken. To save the life of a dying friend, Lin has falsely claimed to be the Goddess Reborn, the legendary heroine destined to save her people. Now the terrifying—but strangely magnetic—leader of her people has arrived to test her powers. The price of failure is exile, and only through her alliance with the Ragpicker King can she continue to access the magic that may save her.

Then Prince Conor reappears in her life, demanding that she use her healing powers to cure the madness of his father, the King. Lin soon realizes the King is gripped by an ancient and terrible magic, one whose lure she cannot deny any more than she can deny her growing passion for Conor.

As the simmering tensions in Castellane reach a fever pitch, Lin and Kel must decide who to trust when any false move means death—or worse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 4, 2025
• ISBN: 9780593788240

Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles. She is also the coauthor of the bestselling fantasy series Magisterium with Holly Black. The Shadowhunter Chronicles have been adapted as both a major motion picture and a television series. Her books have more than fifty million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and three fearsome cats. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.

Reviews for The Ragpicker King

[thepageladies · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I finished this book about a week and a half ago and I've tried to write this review so many times I've lost count. All I end up doing is staring at the screen and thinking wow, what, omg and so much more! Lol I'm literally lost for words! So this is just going to be a jumble of my thoughts and I'm going to hope it makes sense!

First, what an emotional ride this was! I felt just about every emotion you think of while reading this book! A lot happened and there's definitely a lot more to come which after the ending in this book I can not wait for book three! The characters are all so different, complex and real. If you haven't read the first book you should definitely do that before giving this one a try or you will definitely be lost but if you do decide to read, strap yourself in and get ready because you are in for one crazy, emotional, fascinating and extremely entertaining and enjoyable read!

[briandrewz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was really good. Picking up where "Sword Catcher" left off, Lin Caster must grapple with her choices after she has proclaimed herself the Goddess Returned. Kel must keep a foot planted in both the royal court of Castellane and the underground world of the Ragpicker King. Conor must take on the mantle of his increasingly ill father and become a more responsible adult. And Antonetta must endure a brute of a man as her intended husband. All of this goes on while a threat against Castellane lurks in the shadows.

Utterly addicting, the book had me feeling so many emotions. Every time I put the book down, I wanted to pick it back up again. I am SO looking forward to the next installment.