Scan barcode
celine128's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
pms93's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caitlinww's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zapeiron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
audragio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
quotingmachine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
popsolo's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
whiterubys's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
Looking for trouble, he'd say. You're gonna look til you find it. Trouble is the looker, she'd answer. It keeps looking till it finds you. Might as well find it first.
This delightfully magical book follows Kell, an Antari: a mythical race with a gift for magic, and Lila, an aspiring pirate and thief who's lived her life on the streets. It takes place across three Londons: Red London, White London, and Grey London. When Kell is set up with a cursed trinket from White London, he quickly seeks to dispose of it, but Lila, in Grey London, finds him first. The two navigate through worlds they're unfamiliar with, traverse the Londons in search of an adventure, and find themselves in deeper than they ever imagined.
I was excited to read this book since it was my very first Schwab book. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as into it as I thought I would be. I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters, and their protagonists were quite dull to me. I really wanted to like Lila, but I'm not entirely fond of a female character that, multiple times, tears other women down for no good reason. I wasn't a fan of the romance, either. However, I'm torn between giving this book 3 or 4 stars because the worldbuilding is so excellent. I love the idea of four different Londons and the fact that geography is different in each world. Overall, A Darker Shade of Magic was an entertaining read, but not my favorite in terms of YA fantasy.
Looking for trouble, he'd say. You're gonna look til you find it. Trouble is the looker, she'd answer. It keeps looking till it finds you. Might as well find it first.
This delightfully magical book follows Kell, an Antari: a mythical race with a gift for magic, and Lila, an aspiring pirate and thief who's lived her life on the streets. It takes place across three Londons: Red London, White London, and Grey London. When Kell is set up with a cursed trinket from White London, he quickly seeks to dispose of it, but Lila, in Grey London, finds him first. The two navigate through worlds they're unfamiliar with, traverse the Londons in search of an adventure, and find themselves in deeper than they ever imagined.
I was excited to read this book since it was my very first Schwab book. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as into it as I thought I would be. I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters, and their protagonists were quite dull to me. I really wanted to like Lila, but I'm not entirely fond of a female character that, multiple times, tears other women down for no good reason. I wasn't a fan of the romance, either. However, I'm torn between giving this book 3 or 4 stars because the worldbuilding is so excellent. I love the idea of four different Londons and the fact that geography is different in each world. Overall, A Darker Shade of Magic was an entertaining read, but not my favorite in terms of YA fantasy.
asriram's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing book -- pacing was strong, characters were all charming from the onset, the story was an interesting and compelling story, and the world building was fantastic. From the first line, you are pulled in. A 10/10 book -- I loved this and am looking forward to reading the sequel.
eswinbanks's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good read ! It felt wrong to put four stars instead of five , even though the start is a teensy bit slow , but very easy to get through if you’re a constant reader. Unique plot and characters,and beautiful magic system.