Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - A Darker Shade of Magic

A lovely romp through multiple Londons, similar to, but not the same as, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. Super exciting and felt like a very well done HBO mini series in the best way possible :)
Planning on reading the sequels at some point!

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readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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pikkumarja's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

Hehkutetun fantasiakirjailijan se teos, joka oli helposti saatavilla suomeksi. Ihan hyvä ja ymmärrän, mistä hehkutus johtuu. Tarina kulki sujuvasti ja viihdyin kyllä kirjan parissa.

Samalla jotain jäi puuttumaan ja välillä huomasin vilkuilevani jatkuvasti sivunumeroita ja huomasin tylsistyväni. En ole varma, haluanko jatkaa trilogian loppuun.

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agenericmirkwoodelf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Absolutely in love with the characters, magic system, setting and atmosphere!
Some of the payoffs- especially within the climax- fell a little flat, but I still plan on continuing this series when time allows.

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kwichris's review

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

I've not read the first book from an author in a while that immediately had me hungry for more in some time. Schwab created a very interesting magic system that unfurls more as you and one of the characters (Lila) continue to explore the worlds with Kell. The way in which multiple realities (or worlds as they're referred to here) is tackled is quite unique in that there's a set limit but infinite possibilities in each depending on each world's relationship with magic. Schwab provides plenty of colorful imagery for the reader with plenty of room for imagining your own view of the world's she created. Seeing the worlds from multiple perspectives without feeling forced, helps the reader relate to our main characters and better understand their motivations and growth. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an unique take on magic as a concept and how different people use (or abuse) it, or how it may use them instead. Plus there's some interesting shenanigans with thievery, realm traveling, and tense fight scenes, so what's not to love?

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