alienor's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating : 4.5 stars
What do I think? WHAT DO I THINK? I feel like slapping myself in the face for not giving [b:A Darker Shade of Magic|22055262|A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)|V.E. Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1400322851l/22055262._SY75_.jpg|40098252] a chance earlier. Thoroughly enjoyable and original, Kell and Lila's journey got me out of my reading slump faster than I could have dreamed.
Let's find out why, shall we?
First of all, let me tell you something : I am in awe of the multi layered and unique world building [a:V.E. Schwab|7168230|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1511218938p2/7168230.jpg] created, where darkness is spreading from every pore, lurking in every London we discover. Yes, Londons, as there are several parallel worlds waiting for we readers to step through them. Four, to be exact, each and every one of them full of details and rules and history. If Kell, our main character, came up with names for all of them, I have to admit that Lila's description suits me better (certainly because I have a soft spot for sarcastic cutthroats, but I'll come back to that).
"There's Dull London, Kell London, Creepy London, and Dead London," she recited, ticking them off on her fingers. "See? I'm a fast learner."
What I adored is the fact that even though some places are deadlier than others *cough* bone shaped floor! *cough*, [a:V.E. Schwab|7168230|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1511218938p2/7168230.jpg] did a splendid job at showing us (very important word here : showing!) that danger can take several forms, sometimes not in the way we expected. Indeed the thirst for power, for magic, hides behind every little door. This is followed by a sensation that nothing is never set in stone (hehe) : what can be better than this, really?
That's why even though the pacing suffered a little in the beginning, I am not one to hold a grudge when the result is a fabulous world building.
As for the characters, where can I even start? Oh, yes : They're complex and oh-so-interesting, none of them thoroughly pure or likeable, and I absolutely loved them for this exact reason.
First we have Kell, the orphaned (or is he?) magician whose loneliness fights daily with his power, whose intentions, while good, always suffer from the risks of being twisted into darkness. Yet he's ready to do anything for the people he cares about, and his courage and wit won me pretty fast (also, his coat, duh).
And then, we have Lila, the fierce and driven thief who wants everything life can give her - and more. As far as strong female leads are concerned, Lila owns all, trust me : from her mind full of mischief to her ability to defend herself and to fight for what she wants, it was a true delight to follow her in her adventures.
"What are you?" he asked, amazed.
Lila only shrugged. "Stubborn."
Not to mention that their dynamics together are amazing : they made me laugh and smile and tear out and fear, the swoony moments so very light that they let me eager for more.
More than multi-layered, these characters evolve, and I can't wait to see where their paths will lead to.
► Wrap all the above in an evocative and clever writing, and what do you get? A book not to be missed. Mark my words.
Ps. I do realize that I didn't talk about the plot and the (astounding) villain. I guess you'll have to read it to know^^
Ps.2 I KNEW IT. *smug smile*
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duartes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bubbless_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jasminerosekoop's review against another edition
3.0
This is more a 3.5 rating.
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but it’s hard not to when some covers are absolutely stunning like this one. As soon as I read “Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman” on the back, I knew it was a book for me. But let’s get back to the cover — there’s a spotlight on the old city maps of London in contrasting colours — and you understand the link upon reading the blurb, mentioning Grey London (our magic-less world), Red London, White London, and the dead Black London. A good cover will look nice, but a brilliant one will tell you what you’re in for.
The first chapter had me hooked. There was so much mystery and intrigue that I had to keep reading. There were clues of what to expect: this is London in 1819 in Grey London, in the Court of King George III, otherwise known as the mad king. But that’s only one of the worlds. What lays in the others is a secret you crave to know. Already, after a handful of pages, we know exactly what kind of character Kell is, while knowing that there is a long past which will be unfolded…
The idea of the Antari is an interesting one. Magic is rooted in blood, and those who can work with their blood to create are inevitably going to be powerful. It’s no wonder the people of Arnes are afraid to find Kell wandering amongst them in the streets. Not to mention that he’s seen as a member of the royal family. Now this I found an interesting twist — while also being somewhat predictable. In these kind of books, the protagonist is almost always related to royalty in some way or another. So this character contrasting with Lila Bard makes an interesting dynamic. When they first meet, honestly I hoped that it wouldn’t become predictable and have them fall in love. Though I have to admit, that when you see them together, arguing over the talisman, you’re hoping to see more of them together. They have a witty repartee, which is perhaps the only comic relief we have in this novel.
At first, I thought Holland would be like fellow tortured and misunderstood characters like Draco Malfoy and Rhysand, but upon further reading, he really started to scare the life out of me. From White London, he was raised in a land that craved to control power and possess it. The people of this place have covered themselves in runes to draw magic into their bodies, where those without magic are killed — or worse. I felt a lot of sympathy for Holland in the beginning, and you might think that coming to understand his character more would lead to further sympathy, but truly, no. He becomes a monster who was created by the tyrannical rulers of White London. And honestly, I think that is exactly what this book needed. Some people cannot be saved after such neglect and abuse. Not all the villains are redeemable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, though it escapes me as to how it could be the first in a series. The ending feels convenient, the climax didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat, and in the end, it was somewhat bittersweet. Perhaps knowing that it’s the beginning of a trilogy made me expect something else from this novel, or perhaps this is simply V. E. Schwab’s style. Or maybe — as I don’t read much Adult Fiction — this is simply how some trilogies work. I feel like this book was surrounded by a lot of hype, and maybe this is what drove me to keep reading when I wasn’t too sure. Don’t get me wrong, this book was enjoyable while I was reading it, but once finished, I didn’t think back too much on the characters. Which is something I’m not used to — I enjoy when characters stay with me.
Nevertheless, I’m curious for the second book, A Gathering of Shadows.
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but it’s hard not to when some covers are absolutely stunning like this one. As soon as I read “Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman” on the back, I knew it was a book for me. But let’s get back to the cover — there’s a spotlight on the old city maps of London in contrasting colours — and you understand the link upon reading the blurb, mentioning Grey London (our magic-less world), Red London, White London, and the dead Black London. A good cover will look nice, but a brilliant one will tell you what you’re in for.
The first chapter had me hooked. There was so much mystery and intrigue that I had to keep reading. There were clues of what to expect: this is London in 1819 in Grey London, in the Court of King George III, otherwise known as the mad king. But that’s only one of the worlds. What lays in the others is a secret you crave to know. Already, after a handful of pages, we know exactly what kind of character Kell is, while knowing that there is a long past which will be unfolded…
The idea of the Antari is an interesting one. Magic is rooted in blood, and those who can work with their blood to create are inevitably going to be powerful. It’s no wonder the people of Arnes are afraid to find Kell wandering amongst them in the streets. Not to mention that he’s seen as a member of the royal family. Now this I found an interesting twist — while also being somewhat predictable. In these kind of books, the protagonist is almost always related to royalty in some way or another. So this character contrasting with Lila Bard makes an interesting dynamic. When they first meet, honestly I hoped that it wouldn’t become predictable and have them fall in love. Though I have to admit, that when you see them together, arguing over the talisman, you’re hoping to see more of them together. They have a witty repartee, which is perhaps the only comic relief we have in this novel.
At first, I thought Holland would be like fellow tortured and misunderstood characters like Draco Malfoy and Rhysand, but upon further reading, he really started to scare the life out of me. From White London, he was raised in a land that craved to control power and possess it. The people of this place have covered themselves in runes to draw magic into their bodies, where those without magic are killed — or worse. I felt a lot of sympathy for Holland in the beginning, and you might think that coming to understand his character more would lead to further sympathy, but truly, no. He becomes a monster who was created by the tyrannical rulers of White London. And honestly, I think that is exactly what this book needed. Some people cannot be saved after such neglect and abuse. Not all the villains are redeemable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, though it escapes me as to how it could be the first in a series. The ending feels convenient, the climax didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat, and in the end, it was somewhat bittersweet. Perhaps knowing that it’s the beginning of a trilogy made me expect something else from this novel, or perhaps this is simply V. E. Schwab’s style. Or maybe — as I don’t read much Adult Fiction — this is simply how some trilogies work. I feel like this book was surrounded by a lot of hype, and maybe this is what drove me to keep reading when I wasn’t too sure. Don’t get me wrong, this book was enjoyable while I was reading it, but once finished, I didn’t think back too much on the characters. Which is something I’m not used to — I enjoy when characters stay with me.
Nevertheless, I’m curious for the second book, A Gathering of Shadows.
emmy9's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmalu_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
Spoiler
this book had a hold me like that stone did on Kellkinseyelise's review against another edition
4.0
"I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still." 👈 This is a good summary of this novel. What a good fantasy world Victoria Schwab has created! I love the idea of multiple Londons, and the way Kell travels between them reminds me of "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, or someone just intrigued by the genre. I think it would be a good introduction, since the world here is similar enough to our own.
ahhhlexis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emilygrace21's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0