Title: A Darker Shade of MagicAuthor: V. E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #1
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Titan Books
Source: Paperback / Kindle Edition
Pages: 400
Add to GoodReads // Buy on BookDepository
SYNOPSIS: Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.
Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.
Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.
Let me tell you one thing, everybody has been reading this book! I mean everybody!
THE WORLD: So it is the first thing that compelled me straight away! The world is made of these dimensional worlds, you get these four Londons among which a traveler can ago. Black London is the London that was consumed by magic and is now fallen. White London is the London where everybody is hungry for magic and fight and kill all the time over it. It is a scary and violent world. Grey London is the one where magic is gone and that would be the London we know. The Red London is the one our main character is from and the one where magic and humanity goes hand in hand, the happy London in other words. Plus it is all set in older times so yeah that is another thing great about the world in this book.
CHARACTERS: Our main character is names Kell and he is a traveler. It means he can open the doors among different Londons and carry messages. Nobody else can because when Black London felt the doors were sealed shut. Now the thing about Kell is that he is a seriously interesting character. I love him so much! Next to Kell we get introduced to Lila. I have to admit, I find her sometimes a little bit annoying but other than that she is an enjoyable character. But the one I want to talk about the most is Holland! Oh my why did he have to be this evil, he was like a perfect cold sexy personal love interest to me, I wanted him to be like BAM he liked and he is actually good. I was so sad that did not happen! Holland was an amazing character and I am hoping so much he is going to come back in next book!
LOVE: Surprisingly and super refreshingly there are no love triangles in this book. Actually there is not much romance in general, whoop whoop! Sure, Kell and Lila have feelings but it is so far from the focus of this book that I am just loving it! I hope it stays this way in next book!
LOVE: Surprisingly and super refreshingly there are no love triangles in this book. Actually there is not much romance in general, whoop whoop! Sure, Kell and Lila have feelings but it is so far from the focus of this book that I am just loving it! I hope it stays this way in next book!
PLUS: I loved the worlds so much, it was so new to me and so so good! I was seriously hypnotized by this book!
MINUS: I wanna Holland to come back!
OVERALL: I so cannot wait for the next book to come out! I mean I wanna it now!
MINUS: I wanna Holland to come back!
OVERALL: I so cannot wait for the next book to come out! I mean I wanna it now!
.png)
LAURA'S REVIEW
Oh I've heard SO much about this book! How good it was and original. Obviously I had high expectations and it didn't disappoint because I loved it! I am so excited about A Gathering of Shadows coming out February 23rd!
THE WORLD: In this world there are four parallel universes and all they have in common is that the capital of each world is called London, thus there are: Black London, White London, Red London, and Grey London. A long time ago all Londons were connected via magical doors and people could come and go as they pleased but Black London used magic in the wrong way and ended up being consumed by the magic so the rest of the Londons sealed themselves from Black London and nowadays it's more of a tale than a real place. Meanwhile, White London is kind of following Black London's steps and it's ruled by evil twins who think power is everything, power is the key and they would do anything to gain power. Red London is a prosperous London where magic flows and makes it a powerful empire ruled by the a royal family. Grey London is what we would consider our London, there is no magic anymore (and I think it would be our 19th century London).
Mind that since each universe is parallel, each London is very different as well and they speak different languages, etc.
Mind that since each universe is parallel, each London is very different as well and they speak different languages, etc.
CHARACTERS: The main character is Kell (his name comes from the initials K. L. that were found when he was a little boy and adopted by Red London's royal family). He is an Antari, a Traveller, meaning that he's one of a few who can make doors between the universes and travel all the Londons. He can also control the elements (fire, water, air, earth) and magic's element: blood. Blood is magic's fuel. Because he is one of the last Antari, he is charged with delivering messages between the other reigning monarchs of London. Kell is a very cute and loyal character although he seems to be a bit confused by what he wants to do with his life since he is bound to the royal family –he's the "brother" of Rhy Maresh, Red London's charming prince and son of King Maxim and Queen Emira.
In one of his travels to Grey London he stumbles upon Delilah "Lila" Bard, a thief whose dream is to be a pirate (cool girl! you go). Lila is a great character, she's cunning, daring and quick-witted! She can definitely survive by herself although she has a slight violent tendency that gets her into trouble.
Finally we have Holland, who is White London's Antari and he's totally messed up, and the evil twins Astrid and Athos Dane who rule White London in obscure means.
LOVE: There is no love per se, but there are some hints. I think one of the characters is bisexual and I think two characters like each other but it's going to be difficult for them to be together... I guess we'll have to wait for the next book!
In one of his travels to Grey London he stumbles upon Delilah "Lila" Bard, a thief whose dream is to be a pirate (cool girl! you go). Lila is a great character, she's cunning, daring and quick-witted! She can definitely survive by herself although she has a slight violent tendency that gets her into trouble.
Finally we have Holland, who is White London's Antari and he's totally messed up, and the evil twins Astrid and Athos Dane who rule White London in obscure means.
LOVE: There is no love per se, but there are some hints. I think one of the characters is bisexual and I think two characters like each other but it's going to be difficult for them to be together... I guess we'll have to wait for the next book!
PLUS: The world and the Londons are magnificently described! It's so cool to read about them! I also loved Kell and Lila as characters, I liked their dynamics when they were together and when they were alone. They're just great.
MINUS: I don't have any minuses... the book is a bit introductory, basically the first half is an introduction but it's necessary because the world and the characters are complex. Besides, this is only the first book.
OVERALL: 5 stars. I loved it and everyone should read this book!
What did you guys think about A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC?MINUS: I don't have any minuses... the book is a bit introductory, basically the first half is an introduction but it's necessary because the world and the characters are complex. Besides, this is only the first book.
OVERALL: 5 stars. I loved it and everyone should read this book!
