Initially, I was hesitant to give this book a chance. I’m happy to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong about this book! V.E. Schwab has such a unique and enticing writing style and I found myself immersed in these characters from the very beginning of this book. Readers are introduced to the magic and ways of antari by watching Kell as he interacts with the King of Grey London. There’s no hand holding or explanations given except through the eyes and narration of the main character as he carries out his responsibilities in traveling between London as a messenger. Immediately you’re craving more information behind the mysterious blood magic of an antari, the strange behavior of the King, and the notion of multiple London’s.
Kell is a deliciously mysterious character with a tortured soul and a habit for bending the rules. From his thoughts you learn that he is devoted to his brother and family despite the tortuous realization that he is not in fact a member of the Royal family so much as their property. Though Kell values the law and order of moving between worlds, he is fascinated by small trinkets with little meaning to others and often risks bending the rules in order to collect these precious items. These small aspects of Kell’s personality show the humanity behind his magical difference from others and allow the readers to wonder more about the man behind the magical black eye.
When you’re just getting invested into Kell and his story, enter Lila Bard — fierce, lethal and likely to steal the glasses off your face before you’ve even finished reading about her. The author chooses to portray her story in the same way as Kell’s, walking the reader through her thoughts and actions rather than providing backstory to prepare you for her arrival. Schwab executes this incredibly well, as I never found myself confused as she shifted between Kell and Lila’s perspectives.
At her core, Lila is an adventurer who longs for a life far more vibrant than the Grey world she was born into. Prone to pick pocketing in order to survive, Lila craves the life of a pirate who serves only themselves and the sea. Despite her rough and tumble, quick draw exterior, Schwab provides the readers with small cracks that show how vulnerable and caring Lila can be. I found myself wondering what led Lila to the life of a thief and who built that wall around her heart that forced her to believe she could only rely on herself.
These characters drive the plot of this story through their incredibly vivacious, competitive and quick-witted relationship. There is a tangible chemistry between them from the very beginning, again showing the brilliance in Schwab’s ability to write dimensional characters. Their chemistry is undeniable, yet it doesn’t distract from the main plot of the novel. They continue to pursue their goal while simultaneously showing that the nature of their relationship is evolving along the way into something more than just a thief and a smuggler who wound up obtaining a rare and deadly artifact that could destroy the worlds they know.
I found myself impressed by all the characters and their ability to subtly hint at what’s to come. We’re given ruthless villains readers easily hate, who introduce us to the main problem of the series — reintroducing the true vitari magic to Grey, Red and White London, potentially leaving them open complete destruction. These villains are tied to Holland, the only other antari to exist, who we long to believe has good inside his controlled soul. Holland’s character reminds me of the Darkling from the Grishaverse in that he is ruthless and cunning, yet tortured and a product of his circumstance. You want so badly for this character to redeem himself.
I thought the end of this novel was the perfect set-up for future books in the series. There were questions answered, resolutions provided, and yet so many little easter egg situations scattered throughout that never really were addressed. This is brilliant writing because it allows readers to feel comfortable and content with the ending, only to likely have their worlds shattered and mind’s blown at the beginning of the next book. I am not convinced that some characters won’t come back to haunt us in the next book, and I love that I have that sense of unease.
Overall, this book is filled with excellent characters, an intriguing and mysterious plot, and dynamic relationships. I was hooked from the start and only craved more with every page turn. This is an excellent read for those who love magical stories but may want a change of pace from the fantastical elements of faeries, witches, wizards and mythical creatures. This book perfectly ties the modernism of present day world with royalty and magic. Definitely worth taking a chance on this book!
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Popular Highlights in this book
Grey for the magic-less city. Red, for the healthy empire. White, for the starving world.Highlighted by 2,712 Kindle readers- He could smell Grey London (smoke) and White London (blood), but to him, Red London simply smelled like home.Highlighted by 2,654 Kindle readers
- “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”Highlighted by 2,477 Kindle readers
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StepIntoABookWorld on Wordpress: One of the Best Book I have read to date! World-Building blew my mind!
A Darker Shade of Magic is centered heavy on time-traveling in-between alternate London's. The three alternate London's are known as:Grey London: Magic-Less City (People have long forgotten magic)Red London: Healthy strong empire; full of magicWhite London: Starving world full of violence and deceit."There's Dull London, Kell London, Creepy London, and Dead London.".."See I am a fast learnerThe only one capable of traveling between these world's is an Antari which is basically an extremely powerful magician who can control all the elements. They are extremely rare and the only ones who can open doors between the alternate London's. The Antari are marked by having one completely black eye and one with normal color. Kell is walking a dangerous line when he decided to be a smuggler between the worlds. A crime some would consider worst than any other. Kell's life is in serious danger when one unknown lady gives him a parcel as payment and asked him to take a letter to an alternate London.A Darker Shade of Magic has a very detailed world-building that is truly a work of art. I have never experienced such detail and real life feel in a book in a very long time. The world-building foundation was laid very carefully and spread out with expert thought to where everything was to be place so that the story stays at a steady pace without the feel of cramming information at me all at one. The magic aspect that was featured in this wasn't exactly unique but it was refreshing. Personally, I noticed elements from other books, but the detail put into the explanation of this world of magic was described in a way that drew me in taking away any comparison to the others. It stands apart from all of the other's in a way that made this my favorite thing about the book.A Darker Shade of Magic is center around a young Antiari named Kell. Kell is one of two whom can travel between the 3 alternate London's. I adored Kell and after his snarky, caring, and loyal personality became abundantly clear in every page I fell in love with him hard.Delilah Bard known mostly by Lila Bard is a young and extremely talented thief in Grey London. She craves adventure from her boring life only to have it crashing into her life in the form of Kell."I am not going to die," she said. "Not till I have seen it.""Seen what?""Everything"— Lila BardLila Bard is my favorite character in this book by far! This girl has more sass in her pinky finger than any other character I have ever read about. When you mix Lila's love for adventure and life with Kell's uptight seriousness it equals pure gold."Kell managed an echo of her smile, and she gasped. "What's that on your face?"The smile vanished "What?""Never mind," she said laughing. " It's gone""And if you don't survive?" challenged Kell. "Then you can raid my corpse." She said dryly. " I doubt I will care."The last character I am going to meant is Prince Rhy. I loved Rhy and I want more of Rhy. He is charming, funny, loyal and a huge flirt. Rhy is from Kell's London (Red London) and the two are extremely close. He is not as gifted with magic as most are from Red London." Your problem Rhy," chided Kell "is that you don't want to learn magic to learn magic. You only want to learn it because you think it will help you lure people into your bed." Rhy's lips twitched "I don't see how that's a problem, and it would."Who needs magic when you have Kell in your corner?" Forget the lesson. I'm in no mood for learning. Let's go out.""Why?" asked Kell. "So you can use my magic to lure people into your bed?""A fine idea," said Rhy " But no."
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Beatriz Prado
Ótima fantasia!
Reviewed in Brazil on April 1, 2021
Beatriz Prado
Reviewed in Brazil on April 1, 2021
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