Reviews

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

thepalaceofchallis's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

o_steede's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

atvreads's review against another edition

5.0

A Darker Shade of Magic
- The darker epic fantasy I’ve been waiting for my whole adult life.
- This magic and these London-worlds aren’t pretty. The magic isn’t sparkly, or fun, it’s demanding of sacrifice and respect.
- Looks Like: 1867 London. Cobblestone streets and death and danger in the air.
- Smells Like: saltwater, stone, a copper tang, charred wood.
- Sounds Like: a whisper of magic, a ship coming into port, a blade separating flesh, and an agonized cry.
- Tastes Like: blood.
- Feels Like: discovering your world’s veneer is skin deep and the undergirding is a rotted carcass. finding you have everything to lose, but daring to gamble anyways, because, oh, the freedom you stand to win.

wiebke_0603's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.5

k_shanahan's review against another edition

5.0

So enchanting and mysterious and funny that I couldn't put it down; finished the entire book within a few days! Amazing in-depth characters with good relations in terms of each other. Also an amazingly creative universe, where four parallel Londons all coincide with one another and yet are so different. I also loved the historical elements (especially in Grey London) as well as the fantasy. I couldn't wait to get started on the second one.

clockworktomes's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

omamiology's review against another edition

4.0

Such a great read where imagery alone could carry the story. And yet we also have layered characters and an intriguing plot as well. There is such excellent world building that seems to delay the action for a bit but nevertheless keeps the reader captivated. The writing was magnificent and pulls the reader in as they swiftly become a part of the story. I loved the characters beyond measure and rooted for them from start to finish. The plot was well-crafted and quite unique at certain moments.
The entirety of it reads with a soft touch of poetry. Lovely.

luchacabra's review against another edition

I tried to pick this up again, but I just couldn't get into it! This seems like it would be right up my alley, but it didn't grab me.

banksyhater's review against another edition

5.0

A gorgeous, romantic, and fascinating read. The author explains and develops the magic and world system effectively, and the core cast is as likeable as they are infuriating at times. This book’s pace keeps up with the worlds’ cutthroat politics, and creates a story worth loving. 1000000000000000/10, an urban fantasy must-read

gigirs's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I am still unsure if I want to give this book a 3.0 or a 2.5 star. The writing wasn’t bad and I was hooked from the beginning but as the book went on the plot was predictable and unoriginal and the characters became grating. Kell is a fine enough main character and I found him interesting but all he does is make one stupid decision after another. Lila is the most insufferable annoying character, can we stop with the sassy badass characters please, so rarely do they land and feel like real people. She kept acting like a 12 year old messing up everything in her wake, I am completely not looking forward to any romance blossoming between her and Kell. Also take a shot every time she “flashes a sharp grin” literally what does that mean. I found Rhy interestesting as well as Holland but I am not sure if I will continue with this series, many people say the second book is better but that the third is a let down. Overall very basic magical system and worldbuilding and very basic characterization as well.