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abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had fun reading this book. Overall, I would say it was fine. There was good worldbuilding and I liked the characters. I found parts of it confusing and I did struggle to stay interested at times and there were parts where I didn't really care what happening to the characters.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
jahnadv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
evarinya's review against another edition
Also, (attempted) sexual assault is a cheap thing to move the plot along, but I guess 2015 was a different time.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Torture
uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Grief
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
kauliflower's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Slavery
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Classism
thegoodship88's review against another edition
3.75
Sometimes, despite the intriguing world building and magic system I found myself not engaged—I’m guessing that was a writing issue but I’m not really sure.
Overall a very engaging read with a magical world and a plot I really enjoyed, especially for the second half of the book.
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
capsandclauses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“I apologize for shooting you in the leg.” said Lila. “I was myself entirely.”
Enter through the door. If you dare...
Why did it take me so long to get around to reading this damn book? A Darker Shade of Magic is an adult fantasy following Kell, a sort-of alternate reality portal jumper and Lila, a thief. In this universe, there are four Londons: Red London (Kell's London full of shifting, changing buildings and magic), White London (chaos and anarchy), Grey London (OUR London) and Black London (forgotten to history). When on a routine messaging errand, Kell takes a piece of Black London with him from Grey London back to Red London, a chase of corruption and deadly evil plague begins to haunt society.
I loved this book. I haven't read a book that fully has these vibes since Six of Crows. Kell and Lila are the perfect, loveable anti-heroes. Scarred, flawed and human. No character is safe and characters who have perspectives die. It was dark, and gritty and magically realistic.
“He would see her again. He knew he would. Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time they were places. But sometimes, rarely, they were people. For someone who never stood still, Lila felt like a pin in Kell's world. One he was sure to snag on.”
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
joepyeweed's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
tensiar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
rubybastille's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Torture, and Sexual harassment