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valerian_honeybee'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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: War and Alcohol
carmillie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cherphillips's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.75
hurrikanekathrina's review against another edition
4.0
7 out of 10 stars
Genre: High Fantasy, YA
Series: Shades of Magic
I've wanted to read this series for such a long time, having heard so many good things about it (and V.E. Schwab's books in general). While I quite enjoyed the kick-off to this high fantasy trilogy, I have to say that I expected a bit... more .
You know those series that you always hear about, those books that you see everywhere and you can't help but think to yourself "Ah, this looks right up my alley!" For this series, that has always been the case. And for whatever reason, I always felt like this would be a somewhat different series than most, especially considering the outstanding praise I've heard for this book. And while it was definitely interesting to read and the main characters are likeable enough, I can't say that that expectation was fulfilled (then again, can't blame a book for not living up to expectations that were built soley on gut instinct.)
I like both Kell and Lila, and would like to see more of Rhy. I have to say though, Lila's character seemed a bit half-baked at parts. Her motivation for going through with whatever she's doing seems rather weak. She wants an adventure. Alright, yeah. I get that, I get the "character that does things only for the thrill of it" point that the author is trying to make here, but come on - risking the very good chance of dying when passing into an alternative universe just because you would like some change in your life? That just seems far fetched to me.
Also, I am kind of missing an superordinated plot here. The whole thing with the stone was interesting, and I always appreciate the villain being a sentient thing or a dark force, rathern than an actual person, but since that's kind of out of the way, and the (kind of superflous) villains are defeated, I didn't really see any motivation this book gave its readers to read the next one. I mean, I know that new (or old) problems will pop up in the second book, but right now, there is pretty much no open conflict or unsolved mystery that makes me want to go and pick up the sequel ASAP.
All in all, a nice read, but unfortunately, nothing out of the ordinary here.
Genre: High Fantasy, YA
Series: Shades of Magic
I've wanted to read this series for such a long time, having heard so many good things about it (and V.E. Schwab's books in general). While I quite enjoyed the kick-off to this high fantasy trilogy, I have to say that I expected a bit... more .
You know those series that you always hear about, those books that you see everywhere and you can't help but think to yourself "Ah, this looks right up my alley!" For this series, that has always been the case. And for whatever reason, I always felt like this would be a somewhat different series than most, especially considering the outstanding praise I've heard for this book. And while it was definitely interesting to read and the main characters are likeable enough, I can't say that that expectation was fulfilled (then again, can't blame a book for not living up to expectations that were built soley on gut instinct.)
I like both Kell and Lila, and would like to see more of Rhy. I have to say though, Lila's character seemed a bit half-baked at parts. Her motivation for going through with whatever she's doing seems rather weak. She wants an adventure. Alright, yeah. I get that, I get the "character that does things only for the thrill of it" point that the author is trying to make here, but come on - risking the very good chance of dying when passing into an alternative universe just because you would like some change in your life? That just seems far fetched to me.
Also, I am kind of missing an superordinated plot here. The whole thing with the stone was interesting, and I always appreciate the villain being a sentient thing or a dark force, rathern than an actual person, but since that's kind of out of the way, and the (kind of superflous) villains are defeated, I didn't really see any motivation this book gave its readers to read the next one. I mean, I know that new (or old) problems will pop up in the second book, but right now, there is pretty much no open conflict or unsolved mystery that makes me want to go and pick up the sequel ASAP.
All in all, a nice read, but unfortunately, nothing out of the ordinary here.
remilauren's review against another edition
5.0
Several times I'd started this book, only to read on Kell explaining Antari magic, get freaked out at the possibly over complicated story line and stop. I finally summoned my strength and boy was I in for a lovely surprise!
The world building is insane, each world speaks a different language. They deal with magic differently consequently affecting their world. Grey London having forgotten its magic is dull and unchanging. Red London thrumming with magic is ever changing. White London tried controlling magic and now starves and kills for it. Black London welcomed its doom with open arms when it allowed magic to control it.
Only the Antari can navigate between the four worlds. We follow one such Antari, Kell from Red London. Kell has been brought up in the Royal Family and initially seems like an ungrateful jerk who willingly ventures into trouble. But as the story progresses, I came to understand him, empathise with him and kept rooting for him like I would a friend. Kell is devoted to the ones he loves and protects them with his life (literally even!) and is very quick witted in combat.
Along with Kell, we also follow Lila, a Grey Worlder. While not magically inclined (yet?) she's skilled with knives and is an amazingly fast learner. Lila initially feels like a basic YA protagonist - considered less feminine, wants adventure, kills casually, annoys the male protagonist and you! But she grew on me. She's clever and even in unknown worlds knows how to keep herself alive!
Together Kell and Lila are a perfect team. They watch each other's backs, when one falls, the other always comes to the rescue. They are both protagonists in their own right, neither is deigned to just be some love interest. Love, that's another sensation that seemed to lurk beneath their interactions. They were strangers few days ago, magic took them on a wild journey and now they care for each other deeply.
******SPOILERS******
Moments I reacted strongly to -
1. Hearing the Black London thing speak in Antari and spread through people
2. Absolute madness that was the fight with Dane Twins
3. Kell saving Rhy with a soul seal
4. The moment the darkness was dispelled
5. The callback to the kiss for luck scene
6. The sickening truth that Kell was right after all. He's not a member but a possession. The Crown and with it the people easily turned on him :(
I loveeed this book. Can't wait to read what happens after all this, what paths these characters end up on. And I hope we get more Kell and Lila moments...
The world building is insane, each world speaks a different language. They deal with magic differently consequently affecting their world. Grey London having forgotten its magic is dull and unchanging. Red London thrumming with magic is ever changing. White London tried controlling magic and now starves and kills for it. Black London welcomed its doom with open arms when it allowed magic to control it.
Only the Antari can navigate between the four worlds. We follow one such Antari, Kell from Red London. Kell has been brought up in the Royal Family and initially seems like an ungrateful jerk who willingly ventures into trouble. But as the story progresses, I came to understand him, empathise with him and kept rooting for him like I would a friend. Kell is devoted to the ones he loves and protects them with his life (literally even!) and is very quick witted in combat.
Along with Kell, we also follow Lila, a Grey Worlder. While not magically inclined (yet?) she's skilled with knives and is an amazingly fast learner. Lila initially feels like a basic YA protagonist - considered less feminine, wants adventure, kills casually, annoys the male protagonist and you! But she grew on me. She's clever and even in unknown worlds knows how to keep herself alive!
Together Kell and Lila are a perfect team. They watch each other's backs, when one falls, the other always comes to the rescue. They are both protagonists in their own right, neither is deigned to just be some love interest. Love, that's another sensation that seemed to lurk beneath their interactions. They were strangers few days ago, magic took them on a wild journey and now they care for each other deeply.
******SPOILERS******
Moments I reacted strongly to -
1. Hearing the Black London thing speak in Antari and spread through people
2. Absolute madness that was the fight with Dane Twins
3. Kell saving Rhy with a soul seal
4. The moment the darkness was dispelled
5. The callback to the kiss for luck scene
6. The sickening truth that Kell was right after all. He's not a member but a possession. The Crown and with it the people easily turned on him :(
I loveeed this book. Can't wait to read what happens after all this, what paths these characters end up on. And I hope we get more Kell and Lila moments...
gracegetsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
liz_tny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
theodoregraham's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
2.0
All world building and no story
Things happen and words get spoken. The world building is fine but the central story is lost. I made it to 25% without a plot before I quit reading.
Things happen and words get spoken. The world building is fine but the central story is lost. I made it to 25% without a plot before I quit reading.