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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Thrilling Sequel That Casts a Deeper Spell
Victoria Schwab does it again with A Gathering of Shadows—a sequel that doesn’t just live up to the hype of the first book, it absolutely obliterates it. Book one was good, but book two? omg. I feel like it's a pattern with the series I read lately, book 2 always seem to be better than book 1. And this one might be the most dazzling example yet.
The pacing is sharper, the stakes are higher, and the characters? Even more compelling. Watching Kell wrestle with his growing restlessness and Lila thrive in her element (and outwit nearly everyone around her) was so satisfying. The Element Games added such an electric energy to the story—I could practically feel the magic crackling off the page.
Schwab’s worldbuilding continues to be rich and immersive, with each parallel London becoming more layered and alive. And the tension—both magical and emotional—is built with such precision that I found myself unable to put the book down.
If you liked A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows will completely sweep you away. This is how you do a sequel.
Victoria Schwab does it again with A Gathering of Shadows—a sequel that doesn’t just live up to the hype of the first book, it absolutely obliterates it. Book one was good, but book two? omg. I feel like it's a pattern with the series I read lately, book 2 always seem to be better than book 1. And this one might be the most dazzling example yet.
The pacing is sharper, the stakes are higher, and the characters? Even more compelling. Watching Kell wrestle with his growing restlessness and Lila thrive in her element (and outwit nearly everyone around her) was so satisfying. The Element Games added such an electric energy to the story—I could practically feel the magic crackling off the page.
Schwab’s worldbuilding continues to be rich and immersive, with each parallel London becoming more layered and alive. And the tension—both magical and emotional—is built with such precision that I found myself unable to put the book down.
If you liked A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows will completely sweep you away. This is how you do a sequel.
For people who like: Slytherin Girls and the boys they destroy/improve on the way to the top
Book review: if you like the first book, you're gonna like this one. If you sort of liked the first one you're gonna like this one. I think I pushed myself to read the first one when I wasn't in the mood for it so I didn't love it that much on my first read through. But I felt like I was wrong in that opinion so I reread it and I did very much enjoy it.
This has a big games component. Think Hunger Games, or Godsgrave. I love that shit. I love how the story is developing. I love how Laila is growing bit by bit. I can't wait to see what the third book holds. Now there's even a new one in the series when I thought it was done already. I don't even know if it's the same characters - I own it though.
Side note: If I could pick a soundtrack to the
ADSOM universe, it would be Halsey's BADLANDS album. The whole thing.
Book review: if you like the first book, you're gonna like this one. If you sort of liked the first one you're gonna like this one. I think I pushed myself to read the first one when I wasn't in the mood for it so I didn't love it that much on my first read through. But I felt like I was wrong in that opinion so I reread it and I did very much enjoy it.
This has a big games component. Think Hunger Games, or Godsgrave. I love that shit. I love how the story is developing. I love how Laila is growing bit by bit. I can't wait to see what the third book holds. Now there's even a new one in the series when I thought it was done already. I don't even know if it's the same characters - I own it though.
Side note: If I could pick a soundtrack to the
ADSOM universe, it would be Halsey's BADLANDS album. The whole thing.
Wooow that ending.
First off, I would just like to state that I do not like Lila. I don't like characters who are on the extreme side of "fuck the consequences!" They're annoying, and ultimately shallow in their own way. I also didn't like her, because she's basically the same person as she was in the first book. There's no real development to her as a character. Getting physically stronger does not mean you are developing a character. It just means they can fight better.
Well now that I've gotten that off my chest, I would like to say that the last few chapters definitely bumped up my initial rating.
Guess I'm looking forward to reading the next book. 3.5 stars.
First off, I would just like to state that I do not like Lila. I don't like characters who are on the extreme side of "fuck the consequences!" They're annoying, and ultimately shallow in their own way. I also didn't like her, because she's basically the same person as she was in the first book. There's no real development to her as a character. Getting physically stronger does not mean you are developing a character. It just means they can fight better.
Well now that I've gotten that off my chest, I would like to say that the last few chapters definitely bumped up my initial rating.
Spoiler
I was so glad when Kell confronted the King. And oh man, his comment about his real mother to the Queen? Awesome. Hit it where it hurts! I'm definitely petty enough to take enjoyment out of that.Guess I'm looking forward to reading the next book. 3.5 stars.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Easiest five stars I've given since, well, the most recent V. E. Schwab book I read 😅 SHE IS SO GOOD WTF. The first book in the series was great, super fun intro to this world and characters, but this one developed them in a way I wasn't expecting but I am totally loving. Lila as a pirate and magician?? I knew she was a badass and was going to prove she was a badass but DAYUM. I think I'm in love with her as much as Kell is . But, like, I'm also afraid of her—her setting her bindings on fine and exploding out of that crate and then slitting the throats of the men who did it?? Bad. Ass. Bitch. Respectfully.
Speaking of, loving how their relationship is developing and how Schwab kept teasing that their reunion was obviously going to happen, they just kept dancing around each other and finally confronted in such a 🤌 fantastic way.
THE TOURNAMENT?? So much fun, loved every bit, WHY is no one turning this series into a show? That part alone would go so hard.
Alucard's character is fascinating to me, I'm excited to get more of him in the next book. The darkness lurking in Kell......ahhh yeah the next book is gonna be a banger and keep me on the edge of my seat like the last 1/3 or so of this book did. I devoured the last half because it was just so good.
Okay, okay, last thing I'll say, THAT ENDING?? V. E. SCHWAB, HOW DARE YOU. I love you to the ends of all the worlds you've created and back, but DAMN YOU. I'm so grateful I came to this series late so I don't have to wait to read it 😅
Speaking of, loving how their relationship is developing and how Schwab kept teasing that their reunion was obviously going to happen, they just kept dancing around each other and finally confronted in such a 🤌 fantastic way.
THE TOURNAMENT?? So much fun, loved every bit, WHY is no one turning this series into a show? That part alone would go so hard.
Alucard's character is fascinating to me, I'm excited to get more of him in the next book. The darkness lurking in Kell......ahhh yeah the next book is gonna be a banger and keep me on the edge of my seat like the last 1/3 or so of this book did. I devoured the last half because it was just so good.
Okay, okay, last thing I'll say, THAT ENDING?? V. E. SCHWAB, HOW DARE YOU. I love you to the ends of all the worlds you've created and back, but DAMN YOU. I'm so grateful I came to this series late so I don't have to wait to read it 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If Lila has one thing it’s the audacity. I love the relationship between Kell and Rhy. Thank god the series is finished that ending is 🫣
I honestly can’t stand Lila! I can’t tell if she’s poorly written or if she’s just an annoying character. She has this crazy superiority complex and thinks that just because the magic priest says she might have magic that she can take on the most powerful magicians across three countries? And she’s kinda sexist, but I think that has more to do with her being bitter about her childhood (at least I hope). And she’s just so manipulative to Kell with the way she purposefully sneaks around him to make sure that when he does see her, it’s in the most shocking way possible. It also seems like her only personality is liking knives and hating “girl” things. It pisses me off that she actually did well in the tournament. I was hoping she would get her ass BEAT so she would maybe be humbled and have some character development but I guess not. There are hardly ever any consequences for her actions.
I do however like the tension with Kell and Rhy after what happened in book one. But it does feel like an incomplete journey. Like yes this the second book in a trilogy, but I think there still needs to be some conflict and resolution. Some of the plot points didn’t peak and resolve, if that makes sense.
I honestly can’t stand Lila! I can’t tell if she’s poorly written or if she’s just an annoying character. She has this crazy superiority complex and thinks that just because the magic priest says she might have magic that she can take on the most powerful magicians across three countries? And she’s kinda sexist, but I think that has more to do with her being bitter about her childhood (at least I hope). And she’s just so manipulative to Kell with the way she purposefully sneaks around him to make sure that when he does see her, it’s in the most shocking way possible. It also seems like her only personality is liking knives and hating “girl” things. It pisses me off that she actually did well in the tournament. I was hoping she would get her ass BEAT so she would maybe be humbled and have some character development but I guess not. There are hardly ever any consequences for her actions.
I do however like the tension with Kell and Rhy after what happened in book one. But it does feel like an incomplete journey. Like yes this the second book in a trilogy, but I think there still needs to be some conflict and resolution. Some of the plot points didn’t peak and resolve, if that makes sense.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just ok. I think I liked the first book better. And I HATE Lila. She’s not cute, she’s not funny, she’s not this amazing Wonder Woman who can do everything instantly. She’s a one note character that is that person that you hate because they are cocky and arrogant and always have to be the best. You know that person, you want to punch them in the face. You cheer when they do get punched in the face. And I cheer when Lila gets punched.
adventurous
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes