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A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

V.E. Schwab,

Victoria Schwab

Start date: August 1, 2023

Finish date: August 31, 2023

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What Members Thought

Nov 05, 2015 Trisha rated it it was amazing

A wonderful story.

Lila was a unique character. I'm liking that a lot of authors are making Main characters a little darker and a little edgier. You never know quite which way that Lila will sway. She's killed and will kill more and she is sneaky and will steal from everyone. She's used to surviving on her own.

Kell is, of course, the main character as well (and one you spend the most POV with). His world and his POV were fascinating - There are many Londons in his world - Red London is his home ...more

22 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2018 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, wish-list-physical, own-ebook-read, reviewed, cover-love, alternate-reality, adult

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I really don't know how to put my thoughts into words right now. This book was amazing! I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have high expectations going into this one, what with all the hype surrounding this series. There is such high praise for it, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I think that the hype, in the end, kind of tainted my expectations a bit. Don't get me wrong because I loved this book. But I feel that without all the heighten This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I really don't know how to put my thoughts into words right now. This book was amazing! I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have high expectations going into this one, what with all the hype surrounding this series. There is such high praise for it, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I think that the hype, in the end, kind of tainted my expectations a bit. Don't get me wrong because I loved this book. But I feel that without all the heightened expectations I may have enjoyed this book more.

Expectations aside, this is one fantasy world that you won't want to miss out on experiencing, that's for sure. The world building in this is phenomenal! It was so atmospheric and complex. The magic system in this book is very distinct and alive and interesting. I am still in awe of Schwab's flawless, imaginative world. I very much loved the way that fantasy was woven into history to create this unbelievable world.

I think that the area where I had the only disconnect was with the characters. Which is odd for me to say because I loved the characters. I loved them, yet I felt very detached from them at the same time. I don't even know how that is possible, but that is how I felt while reading this. I think that the characters were very real. They had flaws, problems of their own, and they could stand on their own in terms of the story. I think that what made them feel so isolated from me was the way they interact. I think that if there were more emotion between the characters then I would have felt more invested in them. The relationship between the two main characters just felt underdeveloped. Though, the author must have done something right because they are also extremely likable.

The plot was convincing enough as a whole. There were many moments that I felt compelled to know what happened next, but there were also moments that I wasn't. The story didn't exactly stand still though. It kept moving and the pace was adequate. There were definitely plot twists that I didn't expect, so things stayed interesting. I felt that the ending could have used more fire behind it. It felt like it just stopped at the end without any reason to go on to the next book.

Overall, this is definitely a book to be experienced! Despite my personal disconnect with the characters, I highly recommend this read. Even with that disconnect, I absolutely loved this book! Schwab is a remarkable storyteller and a skillful weaver of worlds. I am excited to continue this series and experience more worlds by this author!

More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction ...more

17 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2014 Tammie rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult-fiction, fantasy, series-completed, owned-hard-cover, trilogy, owned-ebook, favorites, historical-fantasy, favorite-covers

A Darker Shade of Magic is a book that I've been meaning to read since it was released, but for whatever reason I kept putting it off. Now that I've read it I'm glad that I finally made the time for it. It was easily one of the best books I've read so far this year. Initially I was expecting this to be YA because it has gotten lumped in with YA books a lot, but this is in fact an adult fantasy novel. I think the main reason for this is the age of the characters. Anyway I really enjoyed reading t A Darker Shade of Magic is a book that I've been meaning to read since it was released, but for whatever reason I kept putting it off. Now that I've read it I'm glad that I finally made the time for it. It was easily one of the best books I've read so far this year. Initially I was expecting this to be YA because it has gotten lumped in with YA books a lot, but this is in fact an adult fantasy novel. I think the main reason for this is the age of the characters. Anyway I really enjoyed reading this and stayed up very late to finish it.

The thing that drew me to this book were the different parallel worlds that were not the same. I thought the idea was fantastic. The main character Kell is one of only two magicians left who can travel between these parallel worlds. (view spoiler) I liked Kell, but if I had a negative thing to say about him it would be that I wish he had been more powerful with his blood magic up against Holland. And speaking of Holland, he was the sort of antagonist that I really like. He was so tortured with a lot of gray in his personality. I could hate him and sympathize with him at the same time. (view spoiler) There are many mysteries still to uncover about Kell. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? Why was he taken from his parents? What is it that was wiped from his memory? What is his real name? I am looking forward to uncovering these mysteries in the next two books.

The other main character in the book is a girl named Lila and I also found her very likable. With her short hair and her love of coats and trousers, she reminded me a little bit of Min from the Wheel of Time series, if Min were a thief. I loved Lila's spunkiness and bravery. There are many mysteries that are yet to be uncovered about Lila as well. I liked the dynamic between Lila and Kell. There was a friendship bond between them that deepened by the end of the story and there was maybe a hint of a romance to come.

I also want to mention the cover art. When I first added this book to my to-read list I didn't pay much attention the details, but before I read the book I really looked at the cover and found that I loved it and I think is perfect for the book. Overall I was quite impressed with this book. It was different from other fantasies I've read and I always like when an author comes up with something different. I'm definitely reading the next two books.

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Feb 16, 2017 Colleen Scidmore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: currently-on-my-computer, young-adult, currently-on-google-drive, books-read-in-2017, part-of-a-series, fantasy, historical-fiction, currently-on-my-kindle-app, drama, tales-of-england

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I thought the author was so imaginative to come up with 4 Londons that exist all at once but are totally different in the way they live. The only thing they have in common really is magic. Grey London, named because it is so dull in life and color, has very little magic and only a select few know of the other 3 Londons and are always on the lookout to purchase items from the other cities, even though is against the law and a very serious offense. Red London is a city full of magic and seems to b I thought the author was so imaginative to come up with 4 Londons that exist all at once but are totally different in the way they live. The only thing they have in common really is magic. Grey London, named because it is so dull in life and color, has very little magic and only a select few know of the other 3 Londons and are always on the lookout to purchase items from the other cities, even though is against the law and a very serious offense. Red London is a city full of magic and seems to be thriving and the most healthy. Red London actual has a red glow of magic that comes from Grey Londons version of the Thames River. White London is a city that is also full of magic, but it is dying and the people there are dangerous and desperate to get magic from anything and anyone. It is named White London because it is absent of color and actually is a shade of white. And last but not least is Black London that is now sealed and no one can enter. Black London was a source of powerful dark magic that took control and turned it citizens into crazed people that ran amuck giving into the darkness.

Kell the Main Character, is one of the only two Antaris (Blood Magician) left and they alone can move between all of the London's excluding Black London. But his residence is in the palace of Red London. Kell is such a likable character but he has one serious flaw that triggers a chaotic series of events because he succumbs to the thrill of smuggling items from one London to the other.
When Kell is trying to avert the danger that befalls him he flees him home and transports himself into Grey London where he crosses path with Lila Bard. Lila is a wanted thief and robber who has had to take care of herself since she was a young child. She lives life on her own terms with no rules, pushing boundaries, thinking only of herself and always looking for a way out of London and on to a life of adventure.
After Kell realizes that he cannot evade the danger and discovers Lila has stolen the one item he needs to set things right they come to a shaky alliance that allows Kell to retrieve the item in exchange for taking Lila with him into the other Londons.
From this point on Kell & Lila are on a whirlwind mission to save their Londons and only have each other to rely on and keep each other alive.

This was quite a good story. I knew right away I was going to enjoy this book. Sometimes you can just tell after a couple of chapters and this was one of them. The book was really fast paced and kept me on my toes at all times. It's a story of magic, treachery, betrayal as well as loyalty and friendship.
I really liked Kell and Lila both. Kell was really a pretty honorable man, except for the smuggling part, who had such a big place in his heart for Rhy that really endeared him to me. And Lila was such a spit fire, I loved that she could take care of herself on the mean streets of London especially being a girl. She is tougher than most men. Her character really grew as the book went on, I got to see glimpses of some warmth and humanity in her and it was a wonderful transformation.
(view spoiler) ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2018 Keyona rated it really liked it

I loved this fantasy adventure. This world was easy to follow and get into. We follow Kell and Lillah on their journey to return something to one of the Londons. I enjoyed Kell and Lillah's banter the entire way. The different Londons Kell visited were all so different from the languages to the way people dressed. I think the most I enjoyed about this novel was the character development. Lillah was a real badass and doesn't need anyone. Kell has people around him but still feels somewhat alone. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review