Monday, February 23, 2015

A Darker Shade of Magic: By V.E. Schwab

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC


SUMMARY

 Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands.

There's Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there's Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, 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 the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a 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—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.

REVIEW

 V.E. Schwab (AKA Victoria Schwab) is an amazing writer who with every book published further proves her talent.

 V.E. Schwab's first adult novel, Vicious, was dark, poignant, and utterly captivating.

 Knowing the above facts, it is no surprise that V.E. Schwab's second adult novel, A Darker Shade of Magic, does not disappoint.

 Of course the best part any V.E. Schwab novel are the characters. Each character is just so delightfully vivid that readers will feel as if they've known them for years, leaving readers with a longing for more once the last page is finished. Kell, the protagonist, is delightfully complex, a character who appears to have everything and yet is unhappy, distant, and yet when push comes to shove is willing to throw his own life away if it means saving those he loves. Coupe this with a strong, street smart thief who has somehow managed to keep alive a tiny shred of hope for the future and a protective instinct for those smaller than her that forces her into unsightly situations, and you have a receipt for likable character that are sure to get into mayhem galore.

But A Darker Shade of Magic is not just character development, world building, and sensational covers (seriously! both the UK and the US covers are amazing) it also is filled with captivating magic, betrayal, and magic fights to the death, all moving at a clipping pace to leave even the most in shape of readers winded.

 Between the sensational characters, the superb writing, and more action and intrigue than you can shake a stick at it's no wonder that I highly recommend A Darker Shade of Magic and am personally waiting on the edge of my seat for the next thrilling installment in this wondrous series. Therefore, if you are a fan of young adult, fantasy, or just good writing with engaging plots and relatable and likable characters, then both V.E. Schwab and her newest book, A Darker Shade of Magic are for you.

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