av0universe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
This surprised in a good way. I was expecting to like it but it altered my brain chemistry in a sense. I felt like throwing up with some parts, but I'll like to continue with the series.
I've read some reviews here that say that they don't like Lila but I genuinely understand her and even like her. And Kell was a hell of a main character. I enjoyed reading about them a lot.
On the other hand, a friend that read it before me said that it could have been a standalone and I do agree, but let's see what happens on the second book.
I've read some reviews here that say that they don't like Lila but I genuinely understand her and even like her. And Kell was a hell of a main character. I enjoyed reading about them a lot.
On the other hand, a friend that read it before me said that it could have been a standalone and I do agree, but let's see what happens on the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Self harm, Violence, Gore, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape
chronicacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Kidnapping
cskye's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Death, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault and Self harm
tsar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“You know so little of war. Battles may be fought from the outside in, but wars are won from the inside out.”
Seeing that my first Schwab introduction was less than a stellar experience, I was quite skeptical to pick up her Shades of Magic series despite its immense popularity. Yet, they are surprisingly more pleasant to follow as if they're written by different authors instead of one and the same.
The first book of the trilogy, A Darker Shade of Magic, recounts the concept of multi-verses where the main character has the ability to travel different alternate universes of one country or one city. Since the multi-verse fascination is quite foreign to be brought upon young adult fantasy series due to the fixation over building one giant universe, it could be said that it has the risk for Schwab being unable to gauge distinctive interests that could differentiate each world from the culture to its other capacities. Alas, despite the distilled simplicity visible for the readers to the characters, Schwab manages to swat these worries by creating a unique distinction that makes readers curious to see more of their creation; how these worlds could tightly intertwine with one another while having such different flair of themselves that could be said as either good or bad through different eyes.
As the main characters of the novel, Kell Maresh and Lila Bard couldn't be called boring characters at all. Sure, they may have fallen to these tropes: the grumpy and the temperamental energy, much of the echo of the characterization in Schwab's Monsters of Verity duology, but the chemistry of these main characters is much more palpably endearing to witness as if they are two peas in a pod despite the stark differences of their personality. Often their banters act as a neutralizer to the more heavyweight conflict filled with suspicion and mystery. May they share some kisses inside the narrative, but Schwab never clears the air whether they could work as romantic lovers. Instead, the skinship shared between both of them looks more like a release, a kind of beneficial companionship that accidentally unites during one of the most unexpected moments in Kell's regular mission.
While the tight-knit yet slowly heartbreaking brotherhood between Kell and Rhy is equally mushy as the chemistry between Kell and Lila, the setup of the villains may not be one of the best moments of the narrative. In a world where treachery lives amongst different universes, the staging of the Dane twins as villainous foil instead of a true enemy is as obvious as it gets. Their presence starts out interesting but quickly dwindles to draw Holland into the spotlight of mischief, which renders the twins to be dismissable. Sure, the more positive outcome is how fast the conflict is resolved and how the White London is swiftly restored to its more stable situation, but the lasting impression of them is almost nonexistent to its core.
Nonetheless, A Darker Shade of Magic is a fun ride to read. Schwab achieves beyond my expectation to build a distinctive universe and cultured bodies inbetween the seas of fantastical narratives. It's safe to say that I am not disappointed in giving her another chance as her work is as distinguishable as it's written to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Death
Minor: Rape
theintrovertsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Blood, Physical abuse, Confinement, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Death, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault and Police brutality
Minor: Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Classism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ellahoward_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Intriguing and fast paced, this book had a complex magic system that did take some time to get used to. However I do feel that it was worth the read and that this book can be read as a stand alone as everything was wrapped up by the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
ceaseless_watcher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Gore, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
dododenise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Schwab writes beautifully. Truly, her writing style sweeps me away every time.
Unfortunately, this story wasn’t for me. While it has a great construction and the pieces are put together masterfully, they didn’t sweep me away. I didn’t care about the plot. The characters didn’t catch me interest. Kell bored me and Lila annoyed me.
I simply didn’t enjoy myself all that much while reading, although I really hoped to love it. Alas, this book wasn’t able to make me care about its story.
Unfortunately, this story wasn’t for me. While it has a great construction and the pieces are put together masterfully, they didn’t sweep me away. I didn’t care about the plot. The characters didn’t catch me interest. Kell bored me and Lila annoyed me.
I simply didn’t enjoy myself all that much while reading, although I really hoped to love it. Alas, this book wasn’t able to make me care about its story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Minor: Torture
limabeans's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Gaslighting, and Body horror
brianneh's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual harassment