Scan barcode
rychelereads's review against another edition
5.0
Character development: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Desire for a sequel: 10/10
Relationships: 10/10
Should you read it? 9/10 YES
This one is my favorite of the series. Lila is amazing and more more more. I really liked the pacing, I zoomed through this book. This book was sharp and dangerous, very much like Delilah Bard herself.
Plot: 10/10
Desire for a sequel: 10/10
Relationships: 10/10
Should you read it? 9/10 YES
This one is my favorite of the series. Lila is amazing and more more more. I really liked the pacing, I zoomed through this book. This book was sharp and dangerous, very much like Delilah Bard herself.
martyrcore's review against another edition
4.0
if i could i’d give this book 4.5 stars because it was quite good. honestly the tournament and everything afterwards was even 5/5 but the fact that before it i had to read 70% of the book ... like okay i understand that there was more of world building and character study and stuff but idk i wasn’t really interested in everything that was happening as i was waiting for lila and kell to meet of for the tournament to begin :/
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