Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

137 reviews

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I understand completely why this book seems to be so controversial in its reviews. It's only apparent function is to set the scene for the third one, and it's mostly centered around the Essen Tasch, which has nothing to do with the big bad, BUT, I fucking loved it. It scratches that itch I always have of wanting more of the characters in more mundane settings (which is why I always run to ao3 after I finish something I really like) and I. ATE. IT. UP. I don't remember why the fuck I had given it 4 stars, for me it deserves the 5 stars, it was fun, kept me hooked, gave me lot of kelila moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet, gave me character exploration and, why not, character development too. It's definitely not for everyone, but for me it was perfect (the only thing I didnt enjoy that much was beginning at a certain point and then going "4 months ago" but I'll ignore it)

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adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book very much suffers from middle-book syndrome. If you take out the games, nothing really happens in the plot until the very end. It's mostly character and relationship development for Rhy, Kell and Lila.

However, THE TENSION between those three (and Alucard now)! If you're a Kell/Lila shipper - why wouldn't you be - you're in for a lot of barely missed encounters, stolen moments and hate you/love you outbursts. And I can guarantee you won't be able to resist Rhy and Alucard.

As I said, not much happens to the main plot. We see scenes of White London and the aftermath of Holland's demise in Black London, but it's just bits and pieces in the backgroun until the last 50 pages. The action is firmly centred on the games, which are kind of magic olympics. It's quite interesting, but if you expect to see Kell and LIla travel between worlds the way they did in book 1, you'll be disappointed.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lila nobara friendship when ?

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is all about character development! I love how much it builds the reader’s understanding of Lilah and Kell, as well as secondary characters that weren’t as prominent in the first book.

⁕ The main conflict of the series takes a backseat to make way for smaller character subplots, but never fear — it's there by the end.

⁕ I love that Schwab expands beyond the city of Red London and lets the reader see more of the magical world that Kell lives in. 

To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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