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adenevosirch's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
a fantastic start to what i’m sure will be a such a great trilogy. the world building and magic here is top tier. i had a fantastic time exploring bits of this world. i really wish more time was spent developing the characters as i am intrigued but feel like i don’t know them at all. i’m excited to fall further into the series
a fantastic start to what i’m sure will be a such a great trilogy. the world building and magic here is top tier. i had a fantastic time exploring bits of this world. i really wish more time was spent developing the characters as i am intrigued but feel like i don’t know them at all. i’m excited to fall further into the series
tonireadsmanga's review against another edition
3.0
Reread 1-9-18 to 1-13-18
More like a 2.5 if I’m being honest. Not sure why I enjoyed it so much the first time.
More like a 2.5 if I’m being honest. Not sure why I enjoyed it so much the first time.
heytony's review against another edition
5.0
A story about magical men in fabulous coats and a cross-dressing thief and their journeys though and dealing with the four parallel Londons. Kell is a traveler that can cross through the different worlds but he seems to have a bit of a smuggling problem. Lila is a girl making it on her own in the magicless Grey London and she has a bit of a thieving problem. When their paths cross and become entwined we are gifted with this wonderful story.
It seemed like the pages were melting away too fast as we were taken on this marvelous adventure. I loved Kell and Lila each as characters but also as the lovely odd-couple that they created. Having read a few different works by Schwab at this point, that is definitely one of her strong suits. The other is her writing style. While she fits the writing style to the characters and the tone of the work differently in each series/book, the style is consistently one thing: great. I always find myself wanting more after finishing one of her book and I mean that in the most praiseworthy way. I don't want to leave that world or those characters. Luckily for me, I have two more books in this series.
It seemed like the pages were melting away too fast as we were taken on this marvelous adventure. I loved Kell and Lila each as characters but also as the lovely odd-couple that they created. Having read a few different works by Schwab at this point, that is definitely one of her strong suits. The other is her writing style. While she fits the writing style to the characters and the tone of the work differently in each series/book, the style is consistently one thing: great. I always find myself wanting more after finishing one of her book and I mean that in the most praiseworthy way. I don't want to leave that world or those characters. Luckily for me, I have two more books in this series.
impayal's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 Stars tbh
This is one of the most hyped books in the booktube/booktwitter community. So, I already knew about the characters and general plot before starting the book. Did it live up to my expectations? Almost I can understand why some people absolutely love it while some people consider it average.
The world-building done by V E Schwab is the hook that drags you into the books and keep you invested. While, the idea of multiple dimensions is not original at all, she brings a freshness and a lot of energy into it. This is a very plot-driven books and I agree with what some people have already mentioned that the characters suffers due to it.
We follow POV of Kell, who is an Antari capable of travelling between different words and Lila, a thief with dreams of becoming a ship captain. The actual plot doesn't start till the 3rd of the book when these two meet but that doesn't make it slow orboring at all. V E Schwab does a clever job of writing in short, easy-to-read chapters tha keeps you turning the pages. There is constant acion going throughout to keep you entertained. The way she developed different Londons/Worlds was enjoyable, I liked that all three Londons had completely different cultures and the most prosperous Red London was ruled by POCs.
The reason why I didn't rate it higher was that it felt like we didn't get enough from the characters. The story was so focused on getting to the next plot that it left little development for the characters. There was also an element of Not Like Other Girls in Lila's characterization that I hope get addressed in next books. Other than Lila we don't have any major female characters, I know Rhy gets more focus in the sequels but there is space more than one female character in books.
The same problems pies with the antagonists Dane twins, they are one-dimensional and felt pretty cliche.
This was still a completely entertaining read and I am looking forward to the sequels
This is one of the most hyped books in the booktube/booktwitter community. So, I already knew about the characters and general plot before starting the book. Did it live up to my expectations? Almost I can understand why some people absolutely love it while some people consider it average.
The world-building done by V E Schwab is the hook that drags you into the books and keep you invested. While, the idea of multiple dimensions is not original at all, she brings a freshness and a lot of energy into it. This is a very plot-driven books and I agree with what some people have already mentioned that the characters suffers due to it.
We follow POV of Kell, who is an Antari capable of travelling between different words and Lila, a thief with dreams of becoming a ship captain. The actual plot doesn't start till the 3rd of the book when these two meet but that doesn't make it slow orboring at all. V E Schwab does a clever job of writing in short, easy-to-read chapters tha keeps you turning the pages. There is constant acion going throughout to keep you entertained. The way she developed different Londons/Worlds was enjoyable, I liked that all three Londons had completely different cultures and the most prosperous Red London was ruled by POCs.
The reason why I didn't rate it higher was that it felt like we didn't get enough from the characters. The story was so focused on getting to the next plot that it left little development for the characters. There was also an element of Not Like Other Girls in Lila's characterization that I hope get addressed in next books. Other than Lila we don't have any major female characters, I know Rhy gets more focus in the sequels but there is space more than one female character in books.
The same problems pies with the antagonists Dane twins, they are one-dimensional and felt pretty cliche.
This was still a completely entertaining read and I am looking forward to the sequels
levendir1021's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.5
(The only reason it isn't 5 is because I've heard that the second book might be even better)
I am slowly coming to the conclusion that there is nothing better than a VE Schwab book when you don't really feel like yourself and just want some first class escape from the real world.
First of all, the world building is superb and I am really, REALLY picky when it comes to my fantasy worlds. But this one... Honestly, Schwab could have just taken me by the hand and walked me through red London for the entire book and I'd been absolutely fine with it (and yes, a lot of the book was indeed world building but very much so without info dumping). I don't want to say more because I think this has to be experienced.
Next, characters, and omg yes, VE Schwab has been one of the best authors for writing attractive male protagonists I have come across so far (We will not mention Victor Vale here... Nope... (He's the best though)) Kell is sexy, cool, witty, stylish and insanely loyal all at the same time. I am a sucker for really well written non-romantic friendships or similar and there is an element of this here as well! As for Lila, I really disliked her at the start and some things she did made me facepalm but she did grow a lot throughout the book without loosing what made her her.
If the villains hadn't been... More than one... they would have been a bit one-dimensional. I like my villains to be well fleshed out and there were so many questions I had in this book but I do think it added to the mystery of the various places we travel to. I'm surprised that that out of all people I'm the one to say that I really didn't mind that in this book at all, the main characters had more than enough charm to make up for it!
As mentioned before, the story is a bit overwhelmed by the world building at times, which I really did not mind at all. The story is solid and sets up for the possibility of so much more while being a conclusive story in itself (no cliffhangers, this book definitely works as a standalone despite being the first of a trilogy).
Writing style-wise, Schwab just hits that perfect spot for a more simplistic writing style. It reads fast and is not too flowery, which is usually not my style but she makes it work. I got absorbed in the story and read about 3/4 of book in one sitting, which, I am sure, is due to the writing style. In a way, it almost reads like a film (it would make a great film, as would all her books I have written so far, I'm just so afraid they would screw up the casting of the protagonists).
I would say, if you want something light to read that can completely pull you into a different world, read this. But then the book is not really light, it is very much adult fantasy. What I mean is that it is not the book that will make you think deeply about life. Actually, maybe it will make you ponder if Schwab is Antari and we have, in fact, all just been born in the world of gray London.
(The only reason it isn't 5 is because I've heard that the second book might be even better)
I am slowly coming to the conclusion that there is nothing better than a VE Schwab book when you don't really feel like yourself and just want some first class escape from the real world.
First of all, the world building is superb and I am really, REALLY picky when it comes to my fantasy worlds. But this one... Honestly, Schwab could have just taken me by the hand and walked me through red London for the entire book and I'd been absolutely fine with it (and yes, a lot of the book was indeed world building but very much so without info dumping). I don't want to say more because I think this has to be experienced.
Next, characters, and omg yes, VE Schwab has been one of the best authors for writing attractive male protagonists I have come across so far (We will not mention Victor Vale here... Nope... (He's the best though)) Kell is sexy, cool, witty, stylish and insanely loyal all at the same time. I am a sucker for really well written non-romantic friendships or similar and there is an element of this here as well! As for Lila, I really disliked her at the start and some things she did made me facepalm but she did grow a lot throughout the book without loosing what made her her.
If the villains hadn't been... More than one... they would have been a bit one-dimensional. I like my villains to be well fleshed out and there were so many questions I had in this book but I do think it added to the mystery of the various places we travel to. I'm surprised that that out of all people I'm the one to say that I really didn't mind that in this book at all, the main characters had more than enough charm to make up for it!
As mentioned before, the story is a bit overwhelmed by the world building at times, which I really did not mind at all. The story is solid and sets up for the possibility of so much more while being a conclusive story in itself (no cliffhangers, this book definitely works as a standalone despite being the first of a trilogy).
Writing style-wise, Schwab just hits that perfect spot for a more simplistic writing style. It reads fast and is not too flowery, which is usually not my style but she makes it work. I got absorbed in the story and read about 3/4 of book in one sitting, which, I am sure, is due to the writing style. In a way, it almost reads like a film (it would make a great film, as would all her books I have written so far, I'm just so afraid they would screw up the casting of the protagonists).
I would say, if you want something light to read that can completely pull you into a different world, read this. But then the book is not really light, it is very much adult fantasy. What I mean is that it is not the book that will make you think deeply about life. Actually, maybe it will make you ponder if Schwab is Antari and we have, in fact, all just been born in the world of gray London.
sameenmehdi's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book!
That being said, I do have a couple issues with it. I absolutely loved the characters, the atmosphere and the magic system. What I did not see, however, were the stakes. The book was close to the end and I felt as thought I never really felt the climax? As though there was close to no rising action or the payoff that would follow. I understand that it is a series and the story will build but I just wish there was a bit more to this one. I also wish the romance between Kell and Lila was explored a bit more.
Regardless, starting the next book NOW.
That being said, I do have a couple issues with it. I absolutely loved the characters, the atmosphere and the magic system. What I did not see, however, were the stakes. The book was close to the end and I felt as thought I never really felt the climax? As though there was close to no rising action or the payoff that would follow. I understand that it is a series and the story will build but I just wish there was a bit more to this one. I also wish the romance between Kell and Lila was explored a bit more.
Regardless, starting the next book NOW.
alysnow427's review against another edition
5.0
Enthralled by this one from the beginning. A hero and heroine are seldomly so well matched! Left with more questions than answers and looking forward to the next!
pnelson384's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a fan of V. E. Schwab and when I saw her new book come out, I picked it up, but then found out that reading the earlier trilogy will add to the experience of reading her new book 'Fragile Threads of Power.' So I found this first book, and consider me hooked! There are parallel Londons which have a few things in common, but follow very different historical paths and outcomes, and only a few magicians called Antari can travel between them. Delilah is a thief from Grey London who runs into Kell and the story flows from there. The author builds the world in the story with skill and I felt like I could see the people and places in my mind's eye. Great story if you want a little escape to a new world, with three more books in the same universe to read afterwards!
chels139's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.75
ririhan's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 stars
Overall good and I enjoyed reading it, although it is quite slow paced at first and can get boring. But after the characters have been introduced and their backstories told, it starts to get more interesting. (But that's after the first 100 pages or so, so i get why someone would lose interest)
I also found Lila annoying at times, she's one of those strong female main characters with a dark past they refuse to talk about (Nothing necessarily bad about this if it was just that, but no, it gets worse). And obviously because she is strong she can't show emotions, since apparently that would mean she is weak.
On top of all that, she has "I'm not like other girls" mentality. She puts down other women for dressing up and being pretty. And it seems that in her opinion feminine things make you weak or look weak (?).
Honestly the most interesting character in the entire book is probably Holland, and I would've loved if he was the main character, or at least if he appeared more in the story.
Even with all the flaws I wouldn't say it's a bad book, it's just that I think it could be better, especially since plot takes really long to form and the fantasy aspects (like magic) are kinda confusing at first.
Overall good and I enjoyed reading it, although it is quite slow paced at first and can get boring. But after the characters have been introduced and their backstories told, it starts to get more interesting. (But that's after the first 100 pages or so, so i get why someone would lose interest)
I also found Lila annoying at times, she's one of those strong female main characters with a dark past they refuse to talk about (Nothing necessarily bad about this if it was just that, but no, it gets worse). And obviously because she is strong she can't show emotions, since apparently that would mean she is weak.
On top of all that, she has "I'm not like other girls" mentality. She puts down other women for dressing up and being pretty. And it seems that in her opinion feminine things make you weak or look weak (?).
Honestly the most interesting character in the entire book is probably Holland, and I would've loved if he was the main character, or at least if he appeared more in the story.
Even with all the flaws I wouldn't say it's a bad book, it's just that I think it could be better, especially since plot takes really long to form and the fantasy aspects (like magic) are kinda confusing at first.