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midici's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 stars
I would have read the first book a second time immediately after finishing if I had not had the second book on hand. A Darker Shade of Magic was an absolute whirlwind, with the plot taking place over the course of a few days. This book picks up only 4 months after the first book ends.
In the first book much of the focus was on Kell - his abilities, his strange occupation as member of/belonging to the royal family, his fears and flaws. This book begins by focusing on Lila. Lila traveled with Kell from Grey London to Red London, then further into White London to help Kell defeat the twins. Now in Red London she has joined a privateer ship, exploring the new world she has found herself in, and trying to learn magic.
Lila gives us the outsider's perspective on this world that is so familiar to Kell. She's new to everything - to the magic and dangers of this world, to the neighbouring kingdoms who interact and jostle for power, and her exploration beyond the confines of London expands this realm for us.
Due to the events of last book Kell and Rhys are now linked, Rhys living only so long as Kell does. The bond has put them out of balance. They're restless, quick to fight, struggling with nightmares. Rhys blames himself for what happened, and Kell is obsessed with training himself for war, for battling with his magic instead of taking his abilities for granted.
Holland is another character we see more of. He was a tragic and dangerous character before, the only other Antari, tortured and bound by the twins in White London. His warnings to Kell of being too weak to save the world he loves drives Kell to his reckless actions and to training harder, but they're also damning in another way. Kell cast out the dangerous Black London magic by using Holland to transfer it - and Holland himself - back into the sealed off dimension. Holland, however, is used to making the best of terrible situations and he loves his White London as much as Kell loves his Red - and his choice to make a deal with the dangerous creature of Black London means he is now back and more dangerous than before.
Lila and Kell dancing around each other, thinking of each other, both secretly competeing in an amazing magical tournament was just *perfect*. They're almost mirrors of each other. When they met, Kell was balanced, more calm, more cautious and Lila was reckless and driven and ruthless. They are both still those things, but now Kell becomes more reckless and temper-prone while Lila finds herself willing to temper her actions (to a point) while trying to control her own powerful magic.
Their first meeting in the tournament was brilliant and Lila teaming up with Rhys to help Kell is exactly the sort of thing I love. The fact that this book ended on such a big cliff hanger, however, is driving me to distraction.
A note on the writing: it's brilliant. Just enough detail to paint the picture without being overwhelming. The characters react to new situations while dealing with the past ones - no glossing over the trauma or the lingering effects. I have so many feelings about all of these characters and not knowing what happens in the third is going to haunt me until I read it.
I would have read the first book a second time immediately after finishing if I had not had the second book on hand. A Darker Shade of Magic was an absolute whirlwind, with the plot taking place over the course of a few days. This book picks up only 4 months after the first book ends.
In the first book much of the focus was on Kell - his abilities, his strange occupation as member of/belonging to the royal family, his fears and flaws. This book begins by focusing on Lila. Lila traveled with Kell from Grey London to Red London, then further into White London to help Kell defeat the twins. Now in Red London she has joined a privateer ship, exploring the new world she has found herself in, and trying to learn magic.
Lila gives us the outsider's perspective on this world that is so familiar to Kell. She's new to everything - to the magic and dangers of this world, to the neighbouring kingdoms who interact and jostle for power, and her exploration beyond the confines of London expands this realm for us.
Due to the events of last book Kell and Rhys are now linked, Rhys living only so long as Kell does. The bond has put them out of balance. They're restless, quick to fight, struggling with nightmares. Rhys blames himself for what happened, and Kell is obsessed with training himself for war, for battling with his magic instead of taking his abilities for granted.
Holland is another character we see more of. He was a tragic and dangerous character before, the only other Antari, tortured and bound by the twins in White London. His warnings to Kell of being too weak to save the world he loves drives Kell to his reckless actions and to training harder, but they're also damning in another way. Kell cast out the dangerous Black London magic by using Holland to transfer it - and Holland himself - back into the sealed off dimension. Holland, however, is used to making the best of terrible situations and he loves his White London as much as Kell loves his Red - and his choice to make a deal with the dangerous creature of Black London means he is now back and more dangerous than before.
Lila and Kell dancing around each other, thinking of each other, both secretly competeing in an amazing magical tournament was just *perfect*. They're almost mirrors of each other. When they met, Kell was balanced, more calm, more cautious and Lila was reckless and driven and ruthless. They are both still those things, but now Kell becomes more reckless and temper-prone while Lila finds herself willing to temper her actions (to a point) while trying to control her own powerful magic.
Their first meeting in the tournament was brilliant and Lila teaming up with Rhys to help Kell is exactly the sort of thing I love. The fact that this book ended on such a big cliff hanger, however, is driving me to distraction.
A note on the writing: it's brilliant. Just enough detail to paint the picture without being overwhelming. The characters react to new situations while dealing with the past ones - no glossing over the trauma or the lingering effects. I have so many feelings about all of these characters and not knowing what happens in the third is going to haunt me until I read it.
na0my's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
jppeetje's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was clearly the book before part 3. There was a lot of build up, and it ended with a major cliffhanger... It does make me curious for book 3. I always love her writing and I think it was good to provide some sort of background for part 3 (would have love to have a little bit more action).
naahlii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
bookofawriter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
WHAT.DID.I.JUST.READ??
I loved the first one, especially the world building and the tidbits of character building, giving me a glimpse of their future and their powers. But THIS BOOK HAD ME HOOKED!
The magical games, Lila’s discovery of herself, the scenery and the backdrop of what’s to come….the descriptions of EVERYTHING with such detail.
AND THEY FINALLY KISS…all that goddamn tension and buildup.
Just….AAAAAHHHHH🤌🏼
I loved the first one, especially the world building and the tidbits of character building, giving me a glimpse of their future and their powers. But THIS BOOK HAD ME HOOKED!
The magical games, Lila’s discovery of herself, the scenery and the backdrop of what’s to come….the descriptions of EVERYTHING with such detail.
AND THEY FINALLY KISS…all that goddamn tension and buildup.
Just….AAAAAHHHHH🤌🏼
baldwinme40's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars bc I'm so mad the entire plot was the two main characters being DUMB IDIOTS WHO MAKE BAD CHOICES but also Lila is my terrible stabby child who is doing great things and I love her
k_shanahan's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think it was possible, but this one turned out to be even better than the first in the series. The entire sequence of tournament fights had me reading as fast as I could to uncover what would happen next. My love for the characters only increased and I can not wait to read the last instalment in the series next.
sma4652's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
outerspacedaniel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0