Reviews

A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab

samphiresyl's review against another edition

4.25

I don't know why I was so reluctant to read this all semester, but it had everything I love in a book in it; adventure, magic, (wannabe) pirates, and suspense! Didn't realize it was a series until the very end though oops,,, The world building was really fascinating, and I enjoyed learning about the kleptomaniac tendencies of Lila~ I don't really see that much chemistry between Lila and Kell though, so we'll see where that goes in the next book. Also I'm 100% sure that Lila is *spoilers* an antari, like no way she isn't (the glass eye is such an obvious hint), so it'll be interesting to see what her next steps are. 

theres_claire's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nbix20's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

jane333's review against another edition

5.0

It was fun, I had a good time

frankenkath's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jordana_b_bookish's review

3.0

I think that I overhyped this story in my mind too much. By the end I was laughing at Kell's and Lila's banter but the magic system and geography kept messing me up. All the London's were super unique and the characters all felt real, but I would never expect any thing less from the iconic V.E. Schwab. It was a rocky start getting into this, however, I cant wait to see how the rest of the trilogy goes.

daemonad's review against another edition

1.0

There is a formula for YA books and this unimaginative writer follows it to a dot like a diligent comrade of the party. You get noble, and nauseatingly good pox characters with a bisexual son, checking two of diversity boxes, evil white characters along with white power-hungry London, and of course where would this story be without the "strong female" trope, a crossdressing thief and argh a pirate - wow how imaginative. The thing is, these scrawny, yet super duper tough heroines are so many things on the outside and nothing on the inside. And finally the main character, the boyfriend- the sexy, twagic magician that the dull-witted female pirate can rescue.
I am just going to listen to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell again. Mr Norrell has more charisma and a backbone than all of YA heroes and heroines combined.

myanoia's review against another edition

5.0

The worldbuilding and story pacing was phenomenal, and while it easily remains on the 13+ side, I'm glad to say that it's nearly completely void of the rising YA epidemic of Overt uses of suggestive scenes when it comes to the main characters. This truly is a Young Adult book where teens and young adults can enjoy the harrowing violence, suspense, and less than modest dialogue, without having to worry about a random scene of intimacy being thrown in as filler. *cough* ACOTAR *cough*

I'm also proud to say that V.E. Schwab is one of my new favorite authors.

lovelyhoneylemon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bebe_o_liver's review against another edition

5.0

This book is inventive and entertaining and well-written. I liked the character's Kell and LIla very much (although I did not care for how the narrator voiced her character). I loved the idea of the overlapping Londons and the differences between the worlds. I'm comparing this book to two other books. First, I'm comparing it to Schwab's other book, Vicious. This one was a complete fantasy novel whereas the other involved fantasy elements but was set in the present day real world. I enjoyed Vicious more, perhaps because of the setting and plot, and perhaps because I liked the main characters more. But I still enjoyed this one. Second, I'm comparing it to the Necromancer's House, which I listened to just prior to this. Both are about magic and magicians and the struggle for power amongst them. Other than that they couldn't be more different. Again, I think I liked the other book more. But I will definitely keep my eye out for Schwab's next book as she creates fascinating worlds with interesting and believable characters.

Update: I just started the second book in the series, A Gathering of Shadows. I looked back at this review and had to laugh because I am so glad to get to see these characters again and to see how the story continues. I think I underestimated how much I liked the first book!