“Corruption is interesting, isn’t it?” Author Cassandra Clare on The Ragpicker King

From Cassandra Clare (The Shadowhunter Chronicles) comes The Ragpicker King, the sequel to the 2023 magical fantasy Sword Catcher and this time we see Prince Conor, his body-double Kel, and healer Lin dealing with the turmoil following the massacre at the explosive end of the previous novel.

Kel and Lin are now embroiled with he notorious Ragpicker King, ruler of the dazzling city of Castellane’s criminal underworld, who holds the only clues to who has betrayed the royal family. Though Lin is dealing with her own issues now she has claimed to be the legendary Goddess Reborn and wielder of powerful magic.

Meanwhile, Prince Conor is grappled with the guilt of the events of the previous book, as well as the weight of the kingdom and trying to discover the reason behind his father’s madness.

We said that The Ragpicker King’s “interplay of political machinations, personal vendettas, and mystical elements keeps readers engaged, culminating in a series of revelations that are both shocking and satisfying” in our review of the book. So we had to delve deeper and sat down with author Cassandra Clare to discover more about the winding streets of Castellane, what she has planned for the next book in the series, and discover the new YA fantasy she’s working on…

In Sword Catcher, readers were introduced to the intricate world of Castellane. How does The Ragpicker King expand upon the political and social dynamics of this setting?

In Ragpicker King, the royal family of Castellane finds itself in an increasingly delicate political position. Neighbouring nation Sarthe is demanding steep recompense for the unsolved murder of their young princess Luisa, and King Markus is growing ever more strange and withdrawn, leaving Prince Conor on his own to navigate the situation.

As Conor takes action to secure Castellane’s position on the world stage, we come in contact with new and influential international players, including a wily privateer, a dangerous assassin, a king in exile, and two very different princesses. Meanwhile, Lin is reckoning with the ramifications of her claim to be the goddess returned, which has radically changed the way she’s treated by her own people. She finds herself taking refuge among new friends in the city—friends of the criminal sort.

Kel’s journey intertwines deeply with the Ragpicker King’s criminal underworld. What challenges does Kel face as he delves deeper into this shadowy realm in The Ragpicker King?

At the end of Sword Catcher, Kel joined forces with the Ragpicker King to investigate the conspiracy against the throne. He did so to protect Conor, but also behind Conor’s back. The need for secrecy puts a strain on his relationship with the prince—and indeed, with everyone at Marivent—and as Kel is drawn further into his investigation, there are those at Court who seek to manipulate him.

Kel is also grappling with his long-buried feelings for Antonetta Alleyne, who is about to be married off to a monstrous nobleman—one who may be intimately involved with the very conspiracy Kel is trying to root out.

Lin Caster grapples with her identity and the expectations of being the Goddess Reborn. How does her character evolve in this sequel, especially in light of the tests she must undergo?

Lin begins this book in an odd position, half-in and half-out of her old life while she awaits the test of her claim. She’s still seeing patients and working as a physician, but knows those days may be numbered. There are those among the Ashkar who have faith in her, but others believe her to be a pretender and eagerly await her unmasking as a fake.

It’s a stressful position to be in, but Lin retains her determination to learn enough magic to cure her best friend of a terminal illness. As her trial grows near, Lin begins to despair, but aid comes from an unexpected quarter—an unusual patient, acquired through unorthodox means. I would say that Lin’s journey in this book is one of discovering faith in oneself—but at the risk of losing everything else.

The title, The Ragpicker King, suggests a focus on this enigmatic character. What can readers expect to learn about his past and his influence over Castellane’s underworld?

The Ragpicker King is a fixture in the city—it’s a bit of a Dread Pirate Roberts style title, passed along among criminals over the centuries. There have been clues dropped as to the identity of this Ragpicker King, and there will be more.

By the end of the book, the reader will learn who Andreyen really is—or was—and why he’s so interested in Lin’s pursuit of magic.

Themes of power and corruption are prevalent in your works. How are these themes explored differently in The Ragpicker King compared to your previous novels?

Corruption is interesting, isn’t it? It can run rampant at Court, making it seem like there is more honor among thieves than on the Hill. In the Shadowhunter books, corruption usually takes the form of humans channelling infernal energies or collaborating with literal demons in order to gain power for themselves.

In Castellane, there aren’t actual demons in the cosmology, and the corruption isn’t supernatural. It’s much more focused on political scheming and jockeying for economic and social influence at court and beyond.

The relationship dynamics between Kel, Lin, and Prince Conor are complex and evolving. How do these relationships shift in this installment, and what impact do they have on the overarching narrative?

Relationships are indeed shifting. In Ragpicker King, Conor and Lin find themselves thrown together, seeking knowledge of an ancient magic the king encountered long ago in Malgasy. Even though the two are from disparate worlds, they are undeniably drawn to each other—in a way that may spell disaster for them both.

Meanwhile, Kel is swept up in his own web of secrets, drawn further from Conor than he’s ever been before. Kel and Lin are buddies, though. They have some nice moments.

Your world-building often draws from various cultural inspirations. Can you share any specific influences that shaped the Ashkar community and their faith in The Ragpicker King?

There is so much fantasy magic that is built on the pillars of Christian myth. I wanted to write magic that would resonate with people who were raised in Jewish tradition. There’s a rich, magical undercurrent that was fun to explore and extrapolate from (for those interested in learning more, I recommend the book Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism, by Howard Schwartz). That said, the Ashkar are by no means an exact analog of the Jewish people—they have their own faith that grew from the history of an invented world, one where magic existed and was lost.

With The Ragpicker King being part of The Castellane Chronicles, how do you envision the series progressing in future installments, and are there any hints you can share about the direction of the story?

Hmm, how not to spoil the end of Ragpicker King! Lin gets to go on an… exciting journey, let’s say. Kel gets even more familiar with the criminal underworld—parts of it he knew before, and parts of it that he didn’t. And Conor? Well, there are wedding bells on the horizon for him… whether he likes it or not.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on The Wicked Powers, the trilogy that will wrap up my YA series the Shadowhunter Chronicles. I’m also starting work on a new YA fantasy series called Foretold, which is set in a world where magic is far more present than it is in the Chronicles of Castellane.

What are you reading right now?

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, and Revival by Stephen King.

The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare is out now.