A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
Synopsis
There are four different Londons in four parallel worlds: Grey London, Red London, White London, and the closed off Black London, all with varying degrees of magic. Only two people, known as Antari, have the ability to travel between them. Kell, from Red London, is one of them, and works as an ambassador between worlds. He also smuggles forbidden artifacts from one world to another. At one point, he unknowingly brings a dangerous object from Black London. He flees to Grey London, only to have it stolen by Lila Bard, a pickpocket with big dreams. She then saves his life and forces him to take her on an adventure spanning worlds. Together they have to try save all the Londons and the worlds they inhabit from an ancient magic that threatens to destroy them all.
Review
I was drawn in by the first couple pages and couldn't stop. Some have complained that the first 100 pages are a bit slow and front-loaded with world building and backstory, but I feel like the author did a wonderful job mixing in enough plot to keep it exciting and compelling and to keep the momentum going. Besides, I found the world building to be some of the most interesting aspects of the book, plus it is the foundation that the rest of the book and plot are built on. Without it, the story would have fallen flat.
The setting in and of itself is enough reason to read this book. Each London, though having the same name and geographical location, inhabits worlds so utterly different. Grey London is our London around 1813. Red London is a beautiful, vibrant empire, full of light and magic. White London is terrifying, harsh, and barren where magic is being drained dry by the inhabitants. V. E. Schwab lushly fills out each of these worlds and makes them dynamic and fascinating. Being the traveler and anthropologist than I am, I was itching to explore each world and learn more about them and the people and cultures within them. She even invents languages for these worlds (which appealed to my nerdy linguistic side).
The characters are compelling, each with strengths and weaknesses and growth throughout the book, along with hints at intriguing backstories. I loved Lila Bard, a sharp and sarcastic cross-dressing rogue with dreams of being a pirate. She doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, and isn't afraid to leap straight into trouble, because the adventure is better than sitting safely. Kell has a mysterious past, being abandoned at the palace and raised by the royal family as one of their own. He struggles with feeling like he's truly part of the family and not just a tool to be kept under watch. He finds small ways to show independence, the smuggling being one of them. Kell and Lila develop a great friendship, each learning to overcome their independence and mistrust and rely on the other. Other characters include Rhy, the Red London prince, who is good-looking (and he knows it) and Kell's best friend and adopted brother. Holland is the other Antari, hailing from fierce and terrifying White London.
The villains are seriously terrifying and ruthless. Seriously. The rulers of White London are merciless and sadistic twins. They literally mixed the bones of their enemies into the walls and floors and enslave people using their souls. And that's just the beginning of it. They're desperate for the magic that Red London holds and will do anything to get it. Other enemies present themselves, including the dark magic of Black London that has escaped into the worlds.
This is all wrapped together with truly magnificent prose and a compelling plot that leaves just enough mystery that you don't quite know where it's going. It's funny, tense, and a little bit creepy. Besides that, fabulous magical coats plus loads of witty banter. And a magical doppelgänger striptease.
This was one of those books that I stayed up reading until 3 in the morning so I could finish. I will also read it again because I enjoyed it so much, and I am absolutely thrilled that there is a sequel (due out February 23, 2016). I need more people to read this book so we can gush about it together.
If you read one book this year, it needs to be this. Highly, highly recommend!
Rating
I give this book 5 stars
Details
Genre: Fantasy
Sex: Hints of sexual activities, nothing graphic. There is an attempted rape scene.
Violence: There is violence and fighting and ghastly descriptions of devious acts.
Language: A couple swear words here and there.
Synopsis
There are four different Londons in four parallel worlds: Grey London, Red London, White London, and the closed off Black London, all with varying degrees of magic. Only two people, known as Antari, have the ability to travel between them. Kell, from Red London, is one of them, and works as an ambassador between worlds. He also smuggles forbidden artifacts from one world to another. At one point, he unknowingly brings a dangerous object from Black London. He flees to Grey London, only to have it stolen by Lila Bard, a pickpocket with big dreams. She then saves his life and forces him to take her on an adventure spanning worlds. Together they have to try save all the Londons and the worlds they inhabit from an ancient magic that threatens to destroy them all.
Review
I was drawn in by the first couple pages and couldn't stop. Some have complained that the first 100 pages are a bit slow and front-loaded with world building and backstory, but I feel like the author did a wonderful job mixing in enough plot to keep it exciting and compelling and to keep the momentum going. Besides, I found the world building to be some of the most interesting aspects of the book, plus it is the foundation that the rest of the book and plot are built on. Without it, the story would have fallen flat.
The setting in and of itself is enough reason to read this book. Each London, though having the same name and geographical location, inhabits worlds so utterly different. Grey London is our London around 1813. Red London is a beautiful, vibrant empire, full of light and magic. White London is terrifying, harsh, and barren where magic is being drained dry by the inhabitants. V. E. Schwab lushly fills out each of these worlds and makes them dynamic and fascinating. Being the traveler and anthropologist than I am, I was itching to explore each world and learn more about them and the people and cultures within them. She even invents languages for these worlds (which appealed to my nerdy linguistic side).
The characters are compelling, each with strengths and weaknesses and growth throughout the book, along with hints at intriguing backstories. I loved Lila Bard, a sharp and sarcastic cross-dressing rogue with dreams of being a pirate. She doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, and isn't afraid to leap straight into trouble, because the adventure is better than sitting safely. Kell has a mysterious past, being abandoned at the palace and raised by the royal family as one of their own. He struggles with feeling like he's truly part of the family and not just a tool to be kept under watch. He finds small ways to show independence, the smuggling being one of them. Kell and Lila develop a great friendship, each learning to overcome their independence and mistrust and rely on the other. Other characters include Rhy, the Red London prince, who is good-looking (and he knows it) and Kell's best friend and adopted brother. Holland is the other Antari, hailing from fierce and terrifying White London.
The villains are seriously terrifying and ruthless. Seriously. The rulers of White London are merciless and sadistic twins. They literally mixed the bones of their enemies into the walls and floors and enslave people using their souls. And that's just the beginning of it. They're desperate for the magic that Red London holds and will do anything to get it. Other enemies present themselves, including the dark magic of Black London that has escaped into the worlds.
This is all wrapped together with truly magnificent prose and a compelling plot that leaves just enough mystery that you don't quite know where it's going. It's funny, tense, and a little bit creepy. Besides that, fabulous magical coats plus loads of witty banter. And a magical doppelgänger striptease.
If you read one book this year, it needs to be this. Highly, highly recommend!
Rating
I give this book 5 stars
Details
Genre: Fantasy
Sex: Hints of sexual activities, nothing graphic. There is an attempted rape scene.
Violence: There is violence and fighting and ghastly descriptions of devious acts.
Language: A couple swear words here and there.
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