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mihrreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is a long book. It really gives a sense that the battle against Osaran (I probably spelled that wrong because I listened to the audiobook, and have never seen it written) is truly epic, a real slog. But I feel this book lacks the excitement of the first two. It doesn't have Lila's perspective discovering the glittery, awe-filled world of Red London, nor does it have the fun festival atmosphere of the Element Games. It's much darker, tonally and in terms of subject. I found bouncing back and forth between Kell/Lila/Holland/Alucard and Ry to be somewhat distracting this time; Ry's story was rather boring to me. My interest also fell off at the end--everybody's endings felt jarringly ho-hum compared to the epic stakes of the struggle against Osaran.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
pidgepodge's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was not expecting this trilogy to end on a cliffhanger!!! This series was so good and I love this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, and War
uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death and Homophobia
capsandclauses's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Love and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”
I truly don't understand why this book has so many bad reviews. A Conjuring of Light is the last book in the Shades of Magic series by Victoria Schwab. A menace has taken over Red London, and it is up to our band of misfits to fix what has been broken and restore peace. Rhy Maresh, our loveable prince, must learn to bear the crown. Kell Maresh, our moody magician, must finally leave the confines he has been bound to. Alucard Emery, the noble pirate, must restore his reputation. Holland Vosijk, the fallen prisoner, must redeem himself. And Lila Bard, our crafty thief, must finally stop running.
I love all of the characters in this series. I love that Victoria Schwab is not afraid to show the blood and gore that this setting necessitates. I love that she is not afraid to let our characters suffer and die. I do think that Lila had quite a bit of plot armour, but others weren't immune. I love the concept of this world and really hope that we eventually get more.
“Scars are not shameful, not unless you let them be. If you do not wear them, they will wear you.”
I truly don't understand why this book has so many bad reviews. A Conjuring of Light is the last book in the Shades of Magic series by Victoria Schwab. A menace has taken over Red London, and it is up to our band of misfits to fix what has been broken and restore peace. Rhy Maresh, our loveable prince, must learn to bear the crown. Kell Maresh, our moody magician, must finally leave the confines he has been bound to. Alucard Emery, the noble pirate, must restore his reputation. Holland Vosijk, the fallen prisoner, must redeem himself. And Lila Bard, our crafty thief, must finally stop running.
I love all of the characters in this series. I love that Victoria Schwab is not afraid to show the blood and gore that this setting necessitates. I love that she is not afraid to let our characters suffer and die. I do think that Lila had quite a bit of plot armour, but others weren't immune. I love the concept of this world and really hope that we eventually get more.
“Scars are not shameful, not unless you let them be. If you do not wear them, they will wear you.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Homophobia
yilliun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a perfect ending to the series. For as much as the second book dragged, this one truly made up for it. I loved having insight into more characters’ perspectives and I think it made the deaths of certain characters even more poignant . I cried my way through the last 20%.
V. E. Schwab is truly such a talented fantasy writer. I am so glad I picked up this series.
V. E. Schwab is truly such a talented fantasy writer. I am so glad I picked up this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
hagwife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Definitely my favourite out of the trilogy!
I'm very appreciative of how Schwab keeps track of consequences from past books and follows through on them. Wounds, especially emotional ones, don't heal overnight and play an important role in character reactions and decisions.
I thought the plotting for this book was excellent and I loved getting to see so many players from all three worlds. I also think the ways each character arc ends is quite good; I don't have any gripes about it. In fact, I really like that the end acknowledges that distance does not break certain bonds.
I'm very appreciative of how Schwab keeps track of consequences from past books and follows through on them. Wounds, especially emotional ones, don't heal overnight and play an important role in character reactions and decisions.
I thought the plotting for this book was excellent and I loved getting to see so many players from all three worlds. I also think the ways each character arc ends is quite good; I don't have any gripes about it. In fact, I really like that the end acknowledges that distance does not break certain bonds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was excited to pick up this conclusion to the Shades of Magic trilogy.
"A Conjuring of Light" is the epic conclusion to the Shades of Magic trilogy. Kell believed he was the last remaining Antari, and because of this pressure he is all the more determined to do right by the Maresh Empire and his London. Unfortunately, he is faced with conflict about where to place his loyalty. Lila who always saw herself as a common thief is trying her best to learn how to control her newfound magical abilities.
This conclusion was everything I wanted it to be. There was action, adventure, high stakes, and light romance. My favorite part of this story was definitely reading about the group trying to track down an artifact that will surely help them in defeating their new enemy. The journey they go on felt so high stakes and I loved reading about their skirmishes.
Holland was such a complex and morally grey character to read about. My heart went out to him, and throughout the entire series after his introduction I was conflicted about whether to empathize with him and his situation. I was so pleased with his story arch.
I also really enjoyed seeing more of Rhy. I feel like he really had the opportunity to come into his own in this book, and we finally got to see more of his character.
Victoria Schwab has such talent for writing both memorable and relatable characters and writing immersive atmospheres that I never want to leave. This idea for different Londons is fascinating and so well executed.
I am sad to see this series end, but I HIGHLY recommend this!
"A Conjuring of Light" is the epic conclusion to the Shades of Magic trilogy. Kell believed he was the last remaining Antari, and because of this pressure he is all the more determined to do right by the Maresh Empire and his London. Unfortunately, he is faced with conflict about where to place his loyalty. Lila who always saw herself as a common thief is trying her best to learn how to control her newfound magical abilities.
This conclusion was everything I wanted it to be. There was action, adventure, high stakes, and light romance. My favorite part of this story was definitely reading about the group trying to track down an artifact that will surely help them in defeating their new enemy. The journey they go on felt so high stakes and I loved reading about their skirmishes.
Holland was such a complex and morally grey character to read about. My heart went out to him, and throughout the entire series after his introduction I was conflicted about whether to empathize with him and his situation. I was so pleased with his story arch.
I also really enjoyed seeing more of Rhy. I feel like he really had the opportunity to come into his own in this book, and we finally got to see more of his character.
Victoria Schwab has such talent for writing both memorable and relatable characters and writing immersive atmospheres that I never want to leave. This idea for different Londons is fascinating and so well executed.
I am sad to see this series end, but I HIGHLY recommend this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
glund_01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, and Self harm
Minor: Suicide
cozy_tea_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail