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slampie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
3.5
I love this trilogy and I can't wait to read the next book! The characters are awesome, love how this world developed further. I was a little frustrated with the expression of love through anger trope, though.
nilla_beanie19's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. I just genuinely enjoyed this book and missed this world.
dwinga's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joanna1905's review against another edition
5.0
Another awesome book from V.E. Schwab, after the way book one ended off I was definitely intrigued to see what would happen next.
I really enjoyed getting to see more of Rhy and his and Kell's relationship, though I think it's a shame he remains so blind to the way his parents view Kell as a possession right until the moment they arrest him to 'keep him safe'. Though I suspect in book 3 we'll find out there's more to this, it is very clear his parents DON'T view Kell as a son but stop just before the point of outright hostility (at least in front of Rhy).
While having their lives tied together certainly isn't ideal, it astounds me that the King and Queen treat Kell so horribly because of the choice he made to SAVE THEIR SON AND FUTURE KING. There's no mention of a line of succession so I can only assume had Rhy died, and once the King was dead there'd be some sort of Grey London style battle for the throne. Maybe be greatful dude.
It kind of disappointed me that Lila and Kell didn't reunite to quite a ways into the book though I had anticipated she was waiting for the moment they were in the ring together to reveal it. I also wish we got an explanation as to why Lila hid herself from Kell the entire time, she never really gives a reason for this and it just makes me assume she doesn't care about him nearly as much as he does her - though by the time you get to the end of this book it's clear that probably isn't the case.
It also kind of annoyed me how stubborn she was in staying in the competition, though Kell was kind of the same he had the prince help him pull it off and likely wouldn't have faced execution had he been found out. For most of the book she's not nearly as capable as she thinks she is and takes dumb risks, but then all of a sudden at the perfect moment shes's suddenly all powerful and despite only training a few months she's somehow stronger than the other professional competitors.
Holland's return was not unexpected but It was unfortunate he made the exact same decision he'd made with the Danes and become a tool again for someone more powerful. Though I hope and suspect we may get a redemption arc in book 3.
All in all, it was definitely a good sequel and I'm excited to start the big mama that is book three - and I really really hope Rhy's parents get their crap together and apologize to Kell.
I really enjoyed getting to see more of Rhy and his and Kell's relationship, though I think it's a shame he remains so blind to the way his parents view Kell as a possession right until the moment they arrest him to 'keep him safe'. Though I suspect in book 3 we'll find out there's more to this, it is very clear his parents DON'T view Kell as a son but stop just before the point of outright hostility (at least in front of Rhy).
While having their lives tied together certainly isn't ideal, it astounds me that the King and Queen treat Kell so horribly because of the choice he made to SAVE THEIR SON AND FUTURE KING. There's no mention of a line of succession so I can only assume had Rhy died, and once the King was dead there'd be some sort of Grey London style battle for the throne. Maybe be greatful dude.
It kind of disappointed me that Lila and Kell didn't reunite to quite a ways into the book though I had anticipated she was waiting for the moment they were in the ring together to reveal it. I also wish we got an explanation as to why Lila hid herself from Kell the entire time, she never really gives a reason for this and it just makes me assume she doesn't care about him nearly as much as he does her - though by the time you get to the end of this book it's clear that probably isn't the case.
It also kind of annoyed me how stubborn she was in staying in the competition, though Kell was kind of the same he had the prince help him pull it off and likely wouldn't have faced execution had he been found out. For most of the book she's not nearly as capable as she thinks she is and takes dumb risks, but then all of a sudden at the perfect moment shes's suddenly all powerful and despite only training a few months she's somehow stronger than the other professional competitors.
Holland's return was not unexpected but It was unfortunate he made the exact same decision he'd made with the Danes and become a tool again for someone more powerful. Though I hope and suspect we may get a redemption arc in book 3.
All in all, it was definitely a good sequel and I'm excited to start the big mama that is book three - and I really really hope Rhy's parents get their crap together and apologize to Kell.
sweetsorrows's review against another edition
5.0
falling into some fantasy cliches, this book was as predictable as it was unpredictable. i adore the world building in this series, and this book made me love it more. the addition of not only character but also cultural development made the book encompassing. i loved the family dynamics and relationship dynamics and how just truly realistic they are. no one is playing middle school drama out. most of the adults act like adults. the authority figures aren't dictators. the children aren't idiots. like magic, the balance of characterization in this book was very important and very well executed.
midici's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 stars
I would have read the first book a second time immediately after finishing if I had not had the second book on hand. A Darker Shade of Magic was an absolute whirlwind, with the plot taking place over the course of a few days. This book picks up only 4 months after the first book ends.
In the first book much of the focus was on Kell - his abilities, his strange occupation as member of/belonging to the royal family, his fears and flaws. This book begins by focusing on Lila. Lila traveled with Kell from Grey London to Red London, then further into White London to help Kell defeat the twins. Now in Red London she has joined a privateer ship, exploring the new world she has found herself in, and trying to learn magic.
Lila gives us the outsider's perspective on this world that is so familiar to Kell. She's new to everything - to the magic and dangers of this world, to the neighbouring kingdoms who interact and jostle for power, and her exploration beyond the confines of London expands this realm for us.
Due to the events of last book Kell and Rhys are now linked, Rhys living only so long as Kell does. The bond has put them out of balance. They're restless, quick to fight, struggling with nightmares. Rhys blames himself for what happened, and Kell is obsessed with training himself for war, for battling with his magic instead of taking his abilities for granted.
Holland is another character we see more of. He was a tragic and dangerous character before, the only other Antari, tortured and bound by the twins in White London. His warnings to Kell of being too weak to save the world he loves drives Kell to his reckless actions and to training harder, but they're also damning in another way. Kell cast out the dangerous Black London magic by using Holland to transfer it - and Holland himself - back into the sealed off dimension. Holland, however, is used to making the best of terrible situations and he loves his White London as much as Kell loves his Red - and his choice to make a deal with the dangerous creature of Black London means he is now back and more dangerous than before.
Lila and Kell dancing around each other, thinking of each other, both secretly competeing in an amazing magical tournament was just *perfect*. They're almost mirrors of each other. When they met, Kell was balanced, more calm, more cautious and Lila was reckless and driven and ruthless. They are both still those things, but now Kell becomes more reckless and temper-prone while Lila finds herself willing to temper her actions (to a point) while trying to control her own powerful magic.
Their first meeting in the tournament was brilliant and Lila teaming up with Rhys to help Kell is exactly the sort of thing I love. The fact that this book ended on such a big cliff hanger, however, is driving me to distraction.
A note on the writing: it's brilliant. Just enough detail to paint the picture without being overwhelming. The characters react to new situations while dealing with the past ones - no glossing over the trauma or the lingering effects. I have so many feelings about all of these characters and not knowing what happens in the third is going to haunt me until I read it.
I would have read the first book a second time immediately after finishing if I had not had the second book on hand. A Darker Shade of Magic was an absolute whirlwind, with the plot taking place over the course of a few days. This book picks up only 4 months after the first book ends.
In the first book much of the focus was on Kell - his abilities, his strange occupation as member of/belonging to the royal family, his fears and flaws. This book begins by focusing on Lila. Lila traveled with Kell from Grey London to Red London, then further into White London to help Kell defeat the twins. Now in Red London she has joined a privateer ship, exploring the new world she has found herself in, and trying to learn magic.
Lila gives us the outsider's perspective on this world that is so familiar to Kell. She's new to everything - to the magic and dangers of this world, to the neighbouring kingdoms who interact and jostle for power, and her exploration beyond the confines of London expands this realm for us.
Due to the events of last book Kell and Rhys are now linked, Rhys living only so long as Kell does. The bond has put them out of balance. They're restless, quick to fight, struggling with nightmares. Rhys blames himself for what happened, and Kell is obsessed with training himself for war, for battling with his magic instead of taking his abilities for granted.
Holland is another character we see more of. He was a tragic and dangerous character before, the only other Antari, tortured and bound by the twins in White London. His warnings to Kell of being too weak to save the world he loves drives Kell to his reckless actions and to training harder, but they're also damning in another way. Kell cast out the dangerous Black London magic by using Holland to transfer it - and Holland himself - back into the sealed off dimension. Holland, however, is used to making the best of terrible situations and he loves his White London as much as Kell loves his Red - and his choice to make a deal with the dangerous creature of Black London means he is now back and more dangerous than before.
Lila and Kell dancing around each other, thinking of each other, both secretly competeing in an amazing magical tournament was just *perfect*. They're almost mirrors of each other. When they met, Kell was balanced, more calm, more cautious and Lila was reckless and driven and ruthless. They are both still those things, but now Kell becomes more reckless and temper-prone while Lila finds herself willing to temper her actions (to a point) while trying to control her own powerful magic.
Their first meeting in the tournament was brilliant and Lila teaming up with Rhys to help Kell is exactly the sort of thing I love. The fact that this book ended on such a big cliff hanger, however, is driving me to distraction.
A note on the writing: it's brilliant. Just enough detail to paint the picture without being overwhelming. The characters react to new situations while dealing with the past ones - no glossing over the trauma or the lingering effects. I have so many feelings about all of these characters and not knowing what happens in the third is going to haunt me until I read it.
na0my's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
jppeetje's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was clearly the book before part 3. There was a lot of build up, and it ended with a major cliffhanger... It does make me curious for book 3. I always love her writing and I think it was good to provide some sort of background for part 3 (would have love to have a little bit more action).
naahlii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.0