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dogswithnogs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
lovegoodlunacy's review against another edition
4.0
I will say this: this is the third book I have ever read by Ms. Schwab and I am impressed by how quickly I was able to get through this book. I work night shift and it still sometimes takes me some time to get through books.
Here's the one thing that still sticks in my craw, so to speak: how was Lila able to assume Stasion's identity without being caught? How did she get away with it without the king of Arnes finding out and throwing her in jail to rot? What happened to Stasion after she assumed his identity?? It's still bothering me a week after I finished the book and I have a feeling it'll stay with me for some time after.
All in all, I have to say, this trilogy seems to be shaping up well so far. I just wish I had read this trilogy first before reading through The Fragile Threads of Power. Ah well. Better late than never, right?
Here's the one thing that still sticks in my craw, so to speak: how was Lila able to assume Stasion's identity without being caught? How did she get away with it without the king of Arnes finding out and throwing her in jail to rot? What happened to Stasion after she assumed his identity?? It's still bothering me a week after I finished the book and I have a feeling it'll stay with me for some time after.
All in all, I have to say, this trilogy seems to be shaping up well so far. I just wish I had read this trilogy first before reading through The Fragile Threads of Power. Ah well. Better late than never, right?
kcupcake23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
4.5
a_libraryghost's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The ending of this book is fantastic, but it took a lot of filler to get there. This very much feels like a middle book thats only purpose is to set up the next one. Even the games themselves didn't start until way into the story and overall they just really didn't feel important.
For the most part I honestly didn't mind just spending time with the characters as I like(d) all of them and the new ones introduced as well. Alucard especially was a great addition.
Lila however, was infuriating. I'm glad Kel told her off cuz I wanted to scold her for almost the entire book. She just comes across as an arrogant, reckless and stubborn child and the worst part is not only does she not face any consequences for her actions, but she's all of a sudden so good at magic she can almost match Kel despite not even knowing it existed 4 months prior. It really took me out and reminded me of some of the worst YA protagonists I've ever read.
What I did love was everything going in the background and the expanding of the world. I loved the introduction of Faro and Vesk and the politics of the games. Everything in White London with Holland, Oseran and Ojka and how the world is starting to colour again. We get to see Black London briefly which I loved. And as I said, everything about the ending was fantastic, if the rest of the book had the quality of the ending it would be an easy 5 stars.
For the most part I honestly didn't mind just spending time with the characters as I like(d) all of them and the new ones introduced as well. Alucard especially was a great addition.
Lila however, was infuriating. I'm glad Kel told her off cuz I wanted to scold her for almost the entire book. She just comes across as an arrogant, reckless and stubborn child and the worst part is not only does she not face any consequences for her actions, but she's all of a sudden so good at magic she can almost match Kel despite not even knowing it existed 4 months prior. It really took me out and reminded me of some of the worst YA protagonists I've ever read.
What I did love was everything going in the background and the expanding of the world. I loved the introduction of Faro and Vesk and the politics of the games. Everything in White London with Holland, Oseran and Ojka and how the world is starting to colour again. We get to see Black London briefly which I loved. And as I said, everything about the ending was fantastic, if the rest of the book had the quality of the ending it would be an easy 5 stars.
livist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
SCREAMING. I loved this book.
Darker Shade of Magic was a bit slow, which I often attribute to the world building. The plot was still good and honestly it felt a bit self contained.
I am so happy to have finished this book at time where the next one is already published because that cliffhanger. OOOOOOOOOF.
All my complaints about the first book are resolved and then some. The characters get more fleshed outbecause they have time to breathe in a non life threatening situation….at first. Their personalities really shine through and the sass they give each other is so endearing.
The character motivations are clear and make sense.Like for Holland, I so wanted him to be well and good and in his own way he just wants to do right by his people no matter the cost.
I love the diversity in this book. I love that there’s a gay romance that while isn’t the predominant/main romance, it still happens on page, it isn’t a foot note or after thought. It isn’t something that’s lightly alluded to.
That said parts of this book was torturous in that all I wanted was for the main romance to get moving but it made sense why it didn’t,and made more sense when they finally did. And it made their reunion that much sweeter.
And Kell my grumpy boy is also best big brother. His hatred for Alucard is because Alucard broke his brother’s heart, it’s such an intense hatred, you’d think it was his own.
Kell’s relationship with the king and queen is so heartbreaking. When the king hugs him I had hope and it was dead before it started.
The only thing that bothered me a wee bit was Lila’s sudden jump to near master magician. Although I guess upon further reflection it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. I like how it’s explained she fights only out of necessity rather than for fun unlike most of the tournament competitors.
When she finally decided to dress up for Kell, my heart sang!! I also love that she still wore pants and boots underneath.
Actually I wasn’t fond of I’m not like the other girls comment at the beginning but at least she kind of comes around to it a bit.
I really feel like both characters complement each other. Lila has done so much growing and Kell as well in his own way.
I’m also so happy there’s a spinoff series because I adore these characters.
Darker Shade of Magic was a bit slow, which I often attribute to the world building. The plot was still good and honestly it felt a bit self contained.
I am so happy to have finished this book at time where the next one is already published because that cliffhanger. OOOOOOOOOF.
All my complaints about the first book are resolved and then some. The characters get more fleshed out
The character motivations are clear and make sense.
I love the diversity in this book. I love that there’s a gay romance that while isn’t the predominant/main romance, it still happens on page, it isn’t a foot note or after thought. It isn’t something that’s lightly alluded to.
That said parts of this book was torturous in that all I wanted was for the main romance to get moving but it made sense why it didn’t,
And Kell my grumpy boy is also best big brother. His hatred for Alucard is because Alucard broke his brother’s heart, it’s such an intense hatred, you’d think it was his own.
Kell’s relationship with the king and queen is so heartbreaking. When the king hugs him I had hope and it was dead before it started.
The only thing that bothered me a wee bit was Lila’s sudden jump to near master magician. Although I guess upon further reflection it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. I like how it’s explained she fights only out of necessity rather than for fun unlike most of the tournament competitors.
When she finally decided to dress up for Kell, my heart sang!! I also love that she still wore pants and boots underneath.
Actually I wasn’t fond of I’m not like the other girls comment at the beginning but at least she kind of comes around to it a bit.
I really feel like both characters complement each other. Lila has done so much growing and Kell as well in his own way.
I’m also so happy there’s a spinoff series because I adore these characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
rembrandt1881's review against another edition
3.0
My review is kind of difficult, I consider this a high 3 or a low 4. The main issue in this book is from the beginning it is like the middle movie in a trilogy where you know they are setting you up for the sequel. This is bothersome because the true action of the main plot doesn't move quite fast enough and the ending is just such an obvious cliffhanger that it made the rest of the book just seem so superfluous.
Most of the book is described wonderfully as we get a great look at what has happened to the main protagonists from the original, but it never really moves anywhere. Delilah Bard indeed does show the obvious development that was set up in the first book about finding out just what she actually is, and I like the development of the relationship between Kell and Rhy. The newest main character Alucard Emery also seems to be interesting but at the end of the day just not enough happens.
The action sequences that do occur within the last third of the book are exciting and interesting. Actually until about half way through the book I was enjoying it then at some point i realized that there was something larger within the main arc of the story that wasn't happening though I couldn't put my finger on it. That is my main issue with the book, even if you are going to end things with a third novel you need to give us some sort of 'story' for the second onethat wraps up on it's own, then ties into the finale.
Most of the book is described wonderfully as we get a great look at what has happened to the main protagonists from the original, but it never really moves anywhere. Delilah Bard indeed does show the obvious development that was set up in the first book about finding out just what she actually is, and I like the development of the relationship between Kell and Rhy. The newest main character Alucard Emery also seems to be interesting but at the end of the day just not enough happens.
The action sequences that do occur within the last third of the book are exciting and interesting. Actually until about half way through the book I was enjoying it then at some point i realized that there was something larger within the main arc of the story that wasn't happening though I couldn't put my finger on it. That is my main issue with the book, even if you are going to end things with a third novel you need to give us some sort of 'story' for the second onethat wraps up on it's own, then ties into the finale.
filipamaria82's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
newlillith's review against another edition
5.0
This series is phenomenal
I have read a lot of fantasy series but this one stands out. The writing is wonderful, the characters are well drawn out, and the world is engrossing. I especially love that there are queer and bisexual characters in this book. I can't wait to read the next one!
I have read a lot of fantasy series but this one stands out. The writing is wonderful, the characters are well drawn out, and the world is engrossing. I especially love that there are queer and bisexual characters in this book. I can't wait to read the next one!
bibliomikee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
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? No
4.5