Reviews

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

laurenkara's review against another edition

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5.0

That ending!!!!! I need A Conjuring of Light right now.

jmm11's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.5

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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2.0

Whatever I am, let it be enough.

You know that feeling, when you're in a group of people, and a joke is told, and everyone gets it but you? And you're just confused, like, that wasn't even funny, why is that person in tears?

Y'all, I don't get it. These books are lauded as the second coming, and I just...I don't see it. I'm so confused.

There's nothing particularly wrong here, so far both books in the series are a decent 3 stars. Unobjectionable, other than Lilah Fucking Bard. I'd really like this story from Kell's perspective, as opposed to ALL LILAH ALL THE GODDAMN TIME WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP AND DIE ALREADY. Fuck me, maybe I'd like them better if we just cut her out entirely.

But the most interesting part of this book was the Essen Tasch, an entirely magic competition pairing magicians against magicians in a battle of the elements. To win, you use your selected element to smash 10 individual plates on the other person's armor. Last man standing is the best magician in all the land.

How freaking cool does that sound?

We spend 3/4 of the book leading up to the competition, meet two competitors plus our two lead characters, one of whom ATTEMPTS TO KILL A COMPETITOR SO SHE CAN COMPETE. Then when we finally get to the games, we get, what, four of the competitions? Described as quickly as possible to get them out of the way?

I'm sorry, what?

What?

WHAT?!

The most interesting part of the fucking book and you run past it like you have a flaming baby in your arms?!

COME THE FUCK ON.

Did I mention there is WAY TOO FUCKING MUCH LILAH BARD IN THIS BOOK?

Seriously, she KNOCKS A GUY UNCONSCIOUS AND THROWS HIM ON A BOAT SO SHE CAN COMPETE LIKE THE SELFISH LITTLE SNOT SHE IS.

I expect this behavior from a spoiled little rich girl who has always gotten her way. This is supposed to be about a scrappy street kid who had to raise herself and fight to survive. I'm sorry, this is not who Lilah Bard is. Lilah is a snot. Lilah is an asshole. Lilah should've been knocked out of the competition in round fucking one, and she didn't get her ass kicked NEARLY ENOUGH in this book.

I would've given my left baby toe to find out more about the connection between Kell and Rhy. That was INTENSELY interesting, the fact that they now share emotions and physical pain. Or how about more on the relationship between Kell and his "parents", and how they've effectively abandoned him even though he's the only reason their heir is still alive? Fuck, let's talk about how they've metaphorically chained him to this world and not allowed him to travel between the Londons?

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRINCE BRAT IN THE OTHER LONDON WHO THREATENED KELL IN THE BEGINNING. WHY DID WE LEAVE THAT SO FAR BEHIND?

I take it back, this book gets 2 stars, because I'm annoyed all over again.

I'm still reading book 3. Because there's still a chance Lilah will DIE BLOODY.

ode_to_readers's review against another edition

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5.0

Probably my favourite one in the series!! I love how Lila and Kell both end up sneaking into the competition in their own ways. 

Rhy, Holland, Kell, Lila, and Hastra are all my favourite babies. They all just have cool and unique personalities 😭 Schwab is just SO good at creating in depth characters.

saranies's review against another edition

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4.0

Well THIS one ended on a cliffhanger. Very excited to read the third.

I appreciate the development of Lila: she's not just wish fulfillment talented character, but she has her inner demons and reasons for doing things. I hope the third goes more in depth into her abilities and her limitations. Also, Kell! What's happening with Kell!

rlstrayer1's review against another edition

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5.0

So I'm gonna have a hard time waiting a month for the next book. How were the rest of you able to wait a whole year? And with that ending??

This book gets all the stars. I thoroughly enjoyed [b:A Darker Shade of Magic|22055262|A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400322851s/22055262.jpg|40098252], but this one just blew it out of the water.

I am counting down the days until [b:A Conjuring of Light|29939230|A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464017758s/29939230.jpg|44752519] (35 days as of this review)

shadowrealmreader's review against another edition

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4.0

Yessss! even though it took me forever to finish this (it is not the book's fault it is mine) I really liked it.

sophiee1's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted 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

4.5

jcborja85's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lucky2807xd's review against another edition

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  • 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