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eesh25's review against another edition
5.0
Man, I love this book. A part of me wonders if I should but... Man, I love this book.
You see, this is another bridge book and is basically setting pieces into place for the third and final book, [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]. And while most bridge books aren't great, this one definitely was. In fact, I could travel along this bridge all day without even wondering about what's across. Until I reach the end of course, then I'll have to get to the other side because, holy shit, that ending was just plain cruel. How could you leave us hanging like that, Schwab?!
But before the hanging part, we're once again a part of the fascinating, and wonderfully written, world of the many Londons. At the end of book 1, Kell managed to get rid of the evil twins of White London, Holland and the evil stone. Lila left Grey London for good and is off travelling the seas while Kell is in Red London with Rhy's life bound to his and a bad reputation.
That reputation, and the fact that he's wracked with guilt over the events of the previous book, give Kell a melancholy arc. Not to worry though, Rhy is always there to cheer him up and get him in trouble. Seriously, Rhy and Kell are, hands down, the best part of the novel. Individually, I adore them both, but together, they're perfection. They have such a strong relationship and the fact that it's constantly being tested just makes things better. Kell and Rhy made this book for me.
As for the other protagonist, Lila... we've always had a strained relationship. I'm not a huge fan of hers thanks to the lack of conscience and consideration.
She's always been reckless, and while that's not something that bothers me (my favourite character is Percy Jackson, for heaven's sake), I dislike recklessness that has no point or that's for all the wrong reasons. Delila is so afraid of losing something good that she never lets herself have it in the first place. She runs from anything that matters by putting herself in danger and by being stupid. I hate stupid.
But when she's not being a cowardly idiot, when she actually has a purpose, she's a completely badass. She's such a bold character, and I can't wait for her to stop running so that she can finally become the strong and brilliant person she's more capable of becoming.
As for the pace and the story, at first it felt like they were both slow going because there wasn't much action. But this book isn't about action, it's about the characters and the right plot pieces, preparing them for the third book, which is going to be so epic. Also, I forgot to mention, there is a magic tournament in this book! And it's so cool!
And between the old characters, the new characters, the tournament and the sense of upcoming doom, this book was impossible to put down. Serious, I was up until 5 am reading it and then I couldn't sleep for an hour because that ending ... Oh my God!
Honestly, even though there only about a month left until the third book comes out, the wait is going to be torture. I am very much looking forward to reading how the series will conclude. I really hope it's awesome.
A Darker Shade of Magic
faeriesparks's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Great sequel!! There were slow bits but most of them I didn't mind.
Loved all the characters in this - obvs I already loved most of them in the first book - but OMG I can't even put into words how much I loved them in this. Lila aka MY QUEEN, she is so amazing, such a unique and strong character. Kell aka moody and miserable but that's why I love him, he deserves some happiness though. LILA AND KELL'S REUNION OMG
And Alucard. Such a great new character, he was hilarious. And even though we didn't see much of it in this book I SHIP HIM AND RHY SO MUCH
The ending had me screaming. Just.... uugggghhhhh I need these characters to be okay
Great sequel!! There were slow bits but most of them I didn't mind.
Loved all the characters in this - obvs I already loved most of them in the first book - but OMG I can't even put into words how much I loved them in this. Lila aka MY QUEEN, she is so amazing, such a unique and strong character. Kell aka moody and miserable but that's why I love him, he deserves some happiness though. LILA AND KELL'S REUNION OMG
And Alucard. Such a great new character, he was hilarious. And even though we didn't see much of it in this book I SHIP HIM AND RHY SO MUCH
The ending had me screaming. Just.... uugggghhhhh I need these characters to be okay
sherbereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brep23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Confinement, and Blood
amberdbailey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elliot_scribbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.75
cqs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
evitax's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.25
It was quite slow in the beginning but as the games began, it got more interesting as the main characters also met and figured out how they all knew each other. It was quite a difficult book to get started with but it was worth it for the ending. Left it on a cliffhanger too!
elmiella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
lskywalker918's review against another edition
4.0
First off, please give this book a chance! I know the action did not finally start until halfway through, but you would be rewarded if you kept going! The storyline was nothing to talk about. It was yet another magic competition. However, Schwab's prose drew you along. She beautifully wove the words together such that we could feel Kell's anguish, Rhy's internal changes, and Lila's uncertainty.
I didn't think the second book in the trilogy could be better than the first. Darker Shade of Magic was a great introduction to this strange world. Gathering of Shadows focused more on the characters. The real plot did not kick in until roughly 50% through with the first half catching us up to what was happening to our characters in the aftermath of the first book. If you kept reading, you would be treated to the emotional whirlwinds as Kell, Rhy, and Lila (and Holland too!) continued to live after all the changes they underwent in the first book.
Kell had played the role of the stoic foil to Rhy's almost reckless spontaneity. His emotions finally came to the boiling point when he realized that he too needed to live his life after all that he had sacrificed. Rhy finally realized how he might have taken his relationship (and bond) with Kell for granted, and sought to find a new purpose in his life. Lila was still finding her place in this new world.
While I was in no rush to find the next book after finishing Darker Shade of Magic, this book ended on a cliffhanger. My heart was left hanging emotionally even as my brain needed to find out the future of this world. Yes, I need to read the next book soon!
I didn't think the second book in the trilogy could be better than the first. Darker Shade of Magic was a great introduction to this strange world. Gathering of Shadows focused more on the characters. The real plot did not kick in until roughly 50% through with the first half catching us up to what was happening to our characters in the aftermath of the first book. If you kept reading, you would be treated to the emotional whirlwinds as Kell, Rhy, and Lila (and Holland too!) continued to live after all the changes they underwent in the first book.
Kell had played the role of the stoic foil to Rhy's almost reckless spontaneity. His emotions finally came to the boiling point when he realized that he too needed to live his life after all that he had sacrificed. Rhy finally realized how he might have taken his relationship (and bond) with Kell for granted, and sought to find a new purpose in his life. Lila was still finding her place in this new world.
While I was in no rush to find the next book after finishing Darker Shade of Magic, this book ended on a cliffhanger. My heart was left hanging emotionally even as my brain needed to find out the future of this world. Yes, I need to read the next book soon!