Who Would Like This Book:
If you love inventive fantasy worlds, snarky banter, and clever magic systems, this book is a treat. The idea of four parallel Londons - each with their own mood and relationship to magic - is super original, and the vivid worldbuilding really pulls you in. The magic feels dangerous and alluring, and there’s a real sense of adventure as Kell (the brooding but lovable coat-wearing magician) teams up with Lila, a sharp-tongued, would-be pirate thief. You'll especially dig this if you like books centered more on action and wild world-hopping than romance, with a cast of charismatic main and secondary characters. Fans of magical adventures, alternate realities, and found family stories will likely fall in love.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book might not click with you if you crave deep, intimate character studies or super intricate plots. Some readers found the characters a bit tropey or unlikable - especially Lila (who can come off as more abrasive than charming). Others were left wanting more nuance from the different Londons or were frustrated by moments where the story leans on convenient magical solutions and familiar fantasy tropes. The first part of the book can feel slow, especially if atmospheric world-building isn’t enough to hook you, and the writing’s third-person perspective might keep you at a distance from the characters’ emotional lives. If genre clichés or a few plot holes are dealbreakers, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
'A Darker Shade of Magic' by V.E. Schwab follows Kell, a magician who can travel between four parallel worlds - White London, Red London, Grey London, and Black London. The story revolves around Kell's journey to return a forbidden talisman, installed with dangerous magic, to Black London. Along the way, he is aided by Delilah Bard, a thief from Grey London, as they navigate through different Londons with varying levels of magic and power struggles. The plot is fast-paced, filled with action, adventure, and plot twists, making it an engaging read for fans of urban fantasy and epic fantasy genres.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are moments of violence and dark magic, which could be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari-magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes-Red London-and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale...This is a book to treasure."-Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
Ratings (529)
Incredible (82) | |
Loved It (169) | |
Liked It (146) | |
It Was OK (76) | |
Did Not Like (49) | |
Hated It (7) |
Reader Stats (1368):
Read It (533) | |
Currently Reading (12) | |
Want To Read (576) | |
Did Not Finish (52) | |
Not Interested (195) |
19 comment(s)
This was an averagely pleasant book in which I found myself wanting more. I liked the concept of the story with its multiple London’s and multifaceted jacket, but felt like it all went by too fast with too little foreplay.
Midway through the book I lost all interest in reading. Not because of the book, but just hit a slump. However, once I picked it back up I devoured it. (Guess I needed a little break from reading).
The first half was world building, which got a little boring at times, but I must say the context is beyond helpful once the action starts!
Kell is the black sheep of his “family” which I related to. Magic has a cost and I know Kell would pay anything for his family. Even if it took him a while to realize that’s exactly what they are.
Really liked the pacing and characters! It's woven in so much mystery I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
4.5⭐️ yes yes yes yeah hell yes yes nice yeah great good nice yes ya
Wasn’t very keen on this one - a lot of description and not enough plot for me. I liked the concept, but the writing didn’t captivate me after 1/5 of the book.
I’m starting to think Robin Hobb may be the exception to the rule for me when it comes to slow burn fantasy.
I really wanted to love A Darker Shade of Magic, especially since I adored The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, but after restarting it three times, I still found it underwhelming. The concept of parallel Londons, a rare traveler, and a dangerous artifact was promising, and the world-building was undeniably rich. But despite all that, I struggled to connect with the characters, and the pacing felt sluggish. Where Addie LaRue pulled me in with its emotional depth and haunting beauty, A Darker Shade of Magic just never gripped me in the same way. I finished it, but it left me feeling indifferent. Maybe its just not for me.
If Mistborn were British.
Mar 9, 2018 - content; couldn't get into
Really good start to a series. Fast paced and interesting magic system and loved the main characters. I want more....
I have been wanting to read this book for years and after finishing The invisible life of Addie LaRue and absolutely loved it I decided it was time to finely start the series. But was very underwhelmed by this story, wasn't quite the fun fantasy adventure I'd been wanting and maybe I hyped this book too much. It isn't a bad book by any means, V E Schwab writes good stories, it was just not really for me. Might give the second book a go but I'm not exactly dying to continue
What can you read after
A Darker Shade of Magic?
About the Author:
VICTORIA "V.E." SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet and Vicious. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post and more, translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she splits her time between Nashville, TN and Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
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