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finglishknits's review against another edition
5.0
FEB 2020
I FORGOT ABOUT THE CLIFFHANGER
I FORGOT
I
FORGOT
I’m on a re-reading spree and can someone please tell me why did I wait nearly FOUR FUCKING YEARS to re-read this? This rollercoaster of emotions is all I want from a book. YES YES YES and YES. 5 stars. Again.
APR 2016
I finished this about 3 minutes ago, and have no idea what to write expect that I need to write something. Somehow this was even better than A Darker Shade of Magic, which I finished two days ago, and this ended with a cruel, cruel, cruel (yet delicious) cliffhanger. It had everything I wanted; more Lila, Kell and Rhy, awesome new characters (looking at you Alucard Emery), general badass-ery, a magical tournament, and a tiny bit of romance and ugh IT WAS JUST SO GOOD. It gave me the feeling that makes me want to do nothing but read, which is not even something I can describe in a way that makes sense. The almost-sick-to-my-stomach-kind-of excitement where you have to stop because it's just too good and you can't take it anymore (which is when you go and make another cup of tea so you can get your heart rate back to resembling normal) and then you go back for more. TV and movies will never compare.
But honestly though, how am I going to wait for another one without going crazy? More books I suppose. And definitely more V.E. Schwab.
I FORGOT ABOUT THE CLIFFHANGER
I FORGOT
I
FORGOT
I’m on a re-reading spree and can someone please tell me why did I wait nearly FOUR FUCKING YEARS to re-read this? This rollercoaster of emotions is all I want from a book. YES YES YES and YES. 5 stars. Again.
APR 2016
I finished this about 3 minutes ago, and have no idea what to write expect that I need to write something. Somehow this was even better than A Darker Shade of Magic, which I finished two days ago, and this ended with a cruel, cruel, cruel (yet delicious) cliffhanger. It had everything I wanted; more Lila, Kell and Rhy, awesome new characters (looking at you Alucard Emery), general badass-ery, a magical tournament, and a tiny bit of romance and ugh IT WAS JUST SO GOOD. It gave me the feeling that makes me want to do nothing but read, which is not even something I can describe in a way that makes sense. The almost-sick-to-my-stomach-kind-of excitement where you have to stop because it's just too good and you can't take it anymore (which is when you go and make another cup of tea so you can get your heart rate back to resembling normal) and then you go back for more. TV and movies will never compare.
But honestly though, how am I going to wait for another one without going crazy? More books I suppose. And definitely more V.E. Schwab.
nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
2.0
I am quite angry at this book, although I know it might be a little irrational. There was too much focus on Lila Bard in this installment, and I have zero patience for a character that constantly declares, "I am not like other girls." Not to mention that she somehow mastered magic in just four months to fight on the same level as Kell who polished his skill his whole life. Moreover, the plot around the magical tournament was boring and landed far away from the intriguing premise of the first book. It felt like a very generic YA book that I would have preferred to read when I was fourteen. I found it super boring, and I didn't care about any of the tournament participants. It didn't help that half of the book was spent setting up this tournament.
The only parts that caught my interest were those that revolved around Kell's struggles with his "family." I also felt sorry for Rhy and his struggles, but I think they were exaggerated. Holland's story was heartbreaking, and I can't believe he's going through the similar abuse he suffered in the first book.
I am also annoyed that we spent most of the time in Red London for some reason, even though there's so much more to explore.
And the ending... As I mentioned earlier, I didn't care about the tournament at all. So it's frustrating that the only plot point that grabbed my attention was just a tool to create a cliffhanger and set up the next book. In the end, this book felt like a useless transition. I'm only interested in reading the next book to find out what happens to Kell and whether Holland will finally be free. Or maybe I'm just a completionist. Either way, my expectations are quite low at this point.
The only parts that caught my interest were those that revolved around Kell's struggles with his "family." I also felt sorry for Rhy and his struggles, but I think they were exaggerated. Holland's story was heartbreaking, and I can't believe he's going through the similar abuse he suffered in the first book.
I am also annoyed that we spent most of the time in Red London for some reason, even though there's so much more to explore.
And the ending... As I mentioned earlier, I didn't care about the tournament at all. So it's frustrating that the only plot point that grabbed my attention was just a tool to create a cliffhanger and set up the next book. In the end, this book felt like a useless transition. I'm only interested in reading the next book to find out what happens to Kell and whether Holland will finally be free. Or maybe I'm just a completionist. Either way, my expectations are quite low at this point.
space_gaudet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
charcaucci23's review against another edition
5.0
WHAT?!?!?? HUH?!??? i have never processed so many emotions in such little time what just happened
sm_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Shades of Magic series, so read the first one if you're interested!
Restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do.
As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games--an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
And while Red London is caught up in the thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning.
But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.
My Rating: 4/5
I was astounded by the first book in this series, and equally loved the second book in it too!
The characters are very dynamic and so lovable, I find myself constantly thinking about how realistically they were written and how they would react to situations I encounter. I have such a soft spot for Rhy, and I aspire to be like Lila.
I love how this book completely draws the reader in and at least for me, kept my attention pretty much during the entire novel.
The plot of this book reminded me of the Tri-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and I thought that was a very intriguing connection between book series that are so different but do have many similarities.
I definitely recommend this series to all the lovers of YA fantasy and those who love aspects of elemental magic in their book.
Restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do.
As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games--an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
And while Red London is caught up in the thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning.
But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.
My Rating: 4/5
I was astounded by the first book in this series, and equally loved the second book in it too!
The characters are very dynamic and so lovable, I find myself constantly thinking about how realistically they were written and how they would react to situations I encounter. I have such a soft spot for Rhy, and I aspire to be like Lila.
I love how this book completely draws the reader in and at least for me, kept my attention pretty much during the entire novel.
The plot of this book reminded me of the Tri-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and I thought that was a very intriguing connection between book series that are so different but do have many similarities.
I definitely recommend this series to all the lovers of YA fantasy and those who love aspects of elemental magic in their book.
princessrobotiv's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
--
While I liked the character development in this installment, I wasn't quite as fond of the plot. Not because the Essen Tasch as a concept isn't fun and interesting to read but because it felt out of place within the context of the story. Meaning, I think there were ways to accomplish the same form of character development without deviating so far from the action-oriented standard set by the first book.
I said in my progress updates that I thought this read like excellent fanfiction, and that opinion still stands. Which, again, isn't necessarily a bad thing - when it's actually fanfiction, and not the second volume of a trilogy.
That being said, I did very much enjoy the focus given over to the aftermath of the events of book one. I particularly loved the addition of Rhy's POV, which I felt was desperately needed in order to balance out the narrative.
Schwab never shied away from presenting the cost of everybody's actions, though the characters dealt with these consequences differently and at varying levels depending on their personality and circumstances. Kell and Rhy faced the heaviest consequences for their roles in the "Black Night" of book one, and the tension this created between the two brothers was ultimately well-balanced. There were a few times that I felt their bond was represented in a way that was almost romantic in nature (the imagery and dramatics of certain scenes), so I hope this is rectified in volume three. I suspect the addition of Alucard and a heavier presence by Lila will accomplish this fine.
As for Kell and Lila, I thought both of their story arcs progressed well here. Kell's fear of being caged or owned, particularly by his adoptive "family" the Mareshes, reaches a breaking point after months of harsh censure and heightened personal security. The slow decline into recklessness and lonesomeness was great to read and felt authentic. Meanwhile, Lila runs from the connections she made to avoid becoming attached, but only succeeds in finding another set of people she comes to care for deeply. Her struggle against intimacy and friendship (which she ultimately does crave and require in order to achieve happiness) was very apparent without being overdone.
There were a few moments when Lila and Kell reunited that felt very scripted (the scene where she and Kell dance and she monologues to him is the worst offender, in my opinion), which was unfortunate. Hopefully this improves in book three.
Yeah - overall impression was that though some great character work was done in book two, I wish the events driving this had been more relevant to the events of book one. In fact, I wish the entire book had been more in tune with the last, say, five chapters? Because I started really getting excited exactly when the story ended.
--
While I liked the character development in this installment, I wasn't quite as fond of the plot. Not because the Essen Tasch as a concept isn't fun and interesting to read but because it felt out of place within the context of the story. Meaning, I think there were ways to accomplish the same form of character development without deviating so far from the action-oriented standard set by the first book.
I said in my progress updates that I thought this read like excellent fanfiction, and that opinion still stands. Which, again, isn't necessarily a bad thing - when it's actually fanfiction, and not the second volume of a trilogy.
That being said, I did very much enjoy the focus given over to the aftermath of the events of book one. I particularly loved the addition of Rhy's POV, which I felt was desperately needed in order to balance out the narrative.
Schwab never shied away from presenting the cost of everybody's actions, though the characters dealt with these consequences differently and at varying levels depending on their personality and circumstances. Kell and Rhy faced the heaviest consequences for their roles in the "Black Night" of book one, and the tension this created between the two brothers was ultimately well-balanced. There were a few times that I felt their bond was represented in a way that was almost romantic in nature (the imagery and dramatics of certain scenes), so I hope this is rectified in volume three. I suspect the addition of Alucard and a heavier presence by Lila will accomplish this fine.
As for Kell and Lila, I thought both of their story arcs progressed well here. Kell's fear of being caged or owned, particularly by his adoptive "family" the Mareshes, reaches a breaking point after months of harsh censure and heightened personal security. The slow decline into recklessness and lonesomeness was great to read and felt authentic. Meanwhile, Lila runs from the connections she made to avoid becoming attached, but only succeeds in finding another set of people she comes to care for deeply. Her struggle against intimacy and friendship (which she ultimately does crave and require in order to achieve happiness) was very apparent without being overdone.
There were a few moments when Lila and Kell reunited that felt very scripted (the scene where she and Kell dance and she monologues to him is the worst offender, in my opinion), which was unfortunate. Hopefully this improves in book three.
Yeah - overall impression was that though some great character work was done in book two, I wish the events driving this had been more relevant to the events of book one. In fact, I wish the entire book had been more in tune with the last, say, five chapters? Because I started really getting excited exactly when the story ended.
irishinkandpages's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this book thinking it was going to be epic but after I finished I just felt disappointed. I enjoyed being back with the characters but honestly I thought the story was slow. The whole magical tournament felt like a side quest, I just wished for more excitement given how book 1 was and what we know is to come.
However, the story ends on a cliff hanger so I will be getting the 3rd book and seeing how it all ends. Not terrible, just not as good as I had wanted it to be.
However, the story ends on a cliff hanger so I will be getting the 3rd book and seeing how it all ends. Not terrible, just not as good as I had wanted it to be.
evaroyter's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt never ending but I think I enjoyed it?
virgoreading's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5