A Darker Shade of Magic | By V. E. Schwab | Book Review

15 May

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Title- A Darker Shade of magic

Author- V. E. Schwab

Publisher- Titan Books

Genre- YA Fantasy

Links- Book Depository | Goodreads | Amazon

My Rating- ★★★★★

SYNOPSIS
MY REVIEW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Synopsis

Multiple versions of London lie parallel with one another. Kell, with his unique blood magic and mysterious coat, is one of the last Magicians who can travel between them. Kell acts as Ambassador to the other Londons, but his ‘hobby,’ is smuggling illegal items between worlds. It’s turns out to be a dangerous business.

An exchange goes wrong and Kell escapes to Grey London. Things do not go as planned. He is robbed and winds up needing the help of Delilah Bard, a skilled thief. He is forced to bring her back to Red London where their adventures begin.

Dangerous magic threatens more than one Kingdom. The rulers of White London fight to gain control of all magic and destroy other worlds. Can Kell and Lila trust each other? And do they have what it takes to save multiple worlds?

“Kell wore a very peculiar coat.
It had neither one side, which would be conventional, nor two, which would be unexpected, but several, which was, of course, impossible.”

— Kell

My Review

A Darker Shade of Magic is one of my favourite books and is the first in the Shades of Magic Trilogy.

Plot

The plot is fast paced and addictive. It is written in third person, mostly from KELL and LILA’s perspectives, but you also get the odd outsider character perspective thrown in to mix it up. I don’t like this as I feel like it detracts from the main plot, but it gives you a chance to see scenes that are happening the characters themselves don’t get to witness.

World Building and Magic

The world that V.E. Schwab has created is detailed, exciting and has a beautiful balance of both dark and magical elements. Red London is a city that revolves around magic where it is commonly used and revered, it has a whimsical and colourful feel about it. Compared to Kell’s magic that seems darker and more mysterious, controlled by blood. There are little touches that make this great, for example, the distinct smells of magic, and the new language and culture V. E Schwab created.

This leans toward a soft magic system, you don’t know where the magic comes from, or the rules behind it, but this works well as it adds to the mystery of the story. As you read more you find out small details about the magic and can get an idea of it, but it is never really explained. We don’t know a lot of the limitations or costs, but it is obvious there are some.

Characters

Kell and Lila are unique and well written characters. They are engaging and easy to become attached to. I love their banter, the dialogue is very natural and quick. Both are a little mysterious and this first book raises good questions about their pasts and make you want to find out more.

All the characters are well rounded and complex. The Dain twins are psychopaths, creepy and brilliantly written. Rhy, Kells brother, is so likable and a perfect contrast to Kell in many ways. Holland is someone I want to find out more about.

I love Kell, he is a good mix of loveable and flawed with his dark magic, his brooding, his warm heart and I like that he is a little lost. But because his name is Kell, I couldn’t help but picture him as Kelsier from Mistborn. They seem kind of similar and I love both characters.

Why you should read it

The writing is wonderful, you find yourself effortlessly drawn along and placed in the unique settings of wildly different Londons. V. E Schwab is one of my favourite authors in terms of writing style, I enjoy the pace she sets and her vivid descriptions that don’t slow the plot.

Book Depository

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab book review

““I’m not going to die,” she said. “Not till I’ve seen it.”
”Seen what?”
Her smile widened. “Everything.””

— Lila

About the Author- V. E. Schwab

Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is the #1 NYT, USA, and Indie bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and This Savage Song. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured by EW and The New York Times, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and been optioned for TV and Film.

The Independent calls her the “natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones” and touts her “enviable, almost Gaimanesque ability to switch between styles, genres, and tones.” She is represented by Holly Root at Root Literary and Jon Cassir at CAA.