Reviews with content warning for Violence - A Gathering of Shadows

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

136 reviews

theintrovertsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

chronicacademia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark funny 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: Yes

I love the writing style of VE Schwab, you can picture this world so easily, even though it is so fantastical. There’s so much tension! I think that it had a bit of a pacing problem towards the beginning, but overall it was a very fun read. I loved all of the characters. Especially loved how Kell and Rhy had to grapple with the differences of their station even though they are princes and brothers, they are not able to be of their origins of birth. I

I found it so heartbreaking that Kell desperately loves his brother and his parents basically turned their back on hike because his magic is dangerous

Content Warnings

loxeletters's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

Content Warnings

madmadmaddymad's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous mysterious tense 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

This book!

I am rooting so hard for Lila. She’s a hero. She’s my hero. I love how ruthless and unstoppable she is.

This book did not FEEL like 500 pages. The pace is AMAZING. I’m so captivated I want to proceed immediately to book three. But oh, I love this world, and how rich and magical it is and how HIGH the STAKES ARE.

(Also I’m so here for Rhy the bisexual disaster prince. RHY. you are my favorite character and that’s saying a LOT since Lila and Kell are both so wonderful.)

Content Warnings

brianneh's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

greenrequiem's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

maublew's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark mysterious 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

Content Warnings

mini_malist's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark mysterious reflective 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

Honestly, I enjoyed The Gathering of shadows way more than The Darker Shade of Magic. I was really struggling to get into the first book, but this one swallowed me up. I appreciate that Schwab showed how the characters and the relationships between them were impacted by the events in The Darker Shade of Magic. Also, I love the way Lila is presented in this book - one of the things that got on my nerves in Darker Shade of magic was how low-key misogynistic she sounded?, like girl I know you are not like everybody else (you are the Delilah Bard after all) BUT THAT'S TOO MANY SLICES. Another thing that I appreciated was that Schwab didn't rub the romance in our faces. We all know that Lila and Kell are into each other (in their way) but thank you for not making the whole book solely about it. (Also, Rhy & Alucard- appreciate the representation) Another major plus for me was the Essen Tasch because your girl loves a good fantasy tournament (my obsession with The Hunger Games never really ended iykwim)

It might be controversial but I'm kinda happy that neither Kell nor Delilah won the Essen Tasch - I guess it would be a little bit cliché for me?

On more negative note though, can we talk about how the King and Queen treated Kell here. Like are you really THIS mad he saved your only son's life? And their attempts to justify it were awful - Rhy will be a king this, Rhy will be a king that, you need to pay for what you did or you will see. *sighs*
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think it had quite a nice undertone of figuring out what you want to do with your life /what you want out of it, and how you can get it. I am not even mad about the cliffhanger - can't wait to grab A Conjuring of Light!

Content Warnings

ten_telegrams's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

Content Warnings

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