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lyssaczernek's review against another edition
5.0
Being back in the Shades of Magic world was so much fun. It felt like coming home while still getting to meet new characters and see new worlds. Getting to read about Kell, Lila, Rhy, and Alucard again was definitely a highlight throughout this story. We got to see their relationships progress and develop despite there being a seven-year time jump. However, nothing felt belabored either. It was a perfect mix of a refresher and a new plot.
The development of White London was well executed and I want to know more immediately. I think we got a small taste of what the queen is willing to sacrifice for her city and I can see her playing a major role in future books. Shwab's ability to expand on an already well-developed world and magic system deserves applause. The way she also played around with magic devolving in Red London makes me think a lot of crazy things are about to happen in the next couple of books.
And the new characters all had their time to shine. Tes was an amazing introduction to the series. Her magic provides a whole new sense of expanding the world building in this series and her perspective was so interesting to read. Rhy's wife was also an interesting character. I don't like her, but she adds a new personality to the main group of characters and I see big plots ahead for her.
The development of White London was well executed and I want to know more immediately. I think we got a small taste of what the queen is willing to sacrifice for her city and I can see her playing a major role in future books. Shwab's ability to expand on an already well-developed world and magic system deserves applause. The way she also played around with magic devolving in Red London makes me think a lot of crazy things are about to happen in the next couple of books.
And the new characters all had their time to shine. Tes was an amazing introduction to the series. Her magic provides a whole new sense of expanding the world building in this series and her perspective was so interesting to read. Rhy's wife was also an interesting character. I don't like her, but she adds a new personality to the main group of characters and I see big plots ahead for her.
librarian88's review against another edition
Good book but too long and complex for me to fully get into right now. Will return!
faerietale_princess's review against another edition
I really enjoyed the ADSOM series! But this is painfully slow. I’ve warmed up to long and slow books over the past couple years. I used to be kind of intimidated by them, but a book being slow won’t necessarily turn me away from it.
But this is slower than slow. I felt like I was trudging through molasses. All those flashbacks and updates on the previous series’s characters were kind of unnecessary. And it just shoved Tes and Kosika to the background of their own book.
Also, I do not buy a child holding court and conducting affairs of state. Sorry but there is no way a ten year old goes toe to toe with a middle aged dude about why he didn’t follow the tithe (I especially don’t believe a kid would order a tithe 💀) and starts debating on how to restore London. Yeah, yeah, four dimensions and magic exists, okay, sure suspension of disbelief and all that. But I can’t suspend my disbelief enough for that.
But this is slower than slow. I felt like I was trudging through molasses. All those flashbacks and updates on the previous series’s characters were kind of unnecessary. And it just shoved Tes and Kosika to the background of their own book.
Also, I do not buy a child holding court and conducting affairs of state. Sorry but there is no way a ten year old goes toe to toe with a middle aged dude about why he didn’t follow the tithe (I especially don’t believe a kid would order a tithe 💀) and starts debating on how to restore London. Yeah, yeah, four dimensions and magic exists, okay, sure suspension of disbelief and all that. But I can’t suspend my disbelief enough for that.
swagmargaux's review against another edition
3.0
Slow at first and a bit all over the place in my opinion but by half way through I was grasping for pages. Highly recommend reading the shades of magic trilogy before picking up this one. 3.5⭐️
megangronsdahl's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
earowdy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
meliemelo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
First, I thought this was a sequel and didn't pick it up. Then I read it was the first book in a series. Finally, halfway through, I found out both these statements were true.
I have to say, not having read A Darker Shade of Magic didn't damper my enjoyment for this book,nor did it make it difficult to understand. The author made sure there was enough information to go by.
I really enjoyed the world as well as the characters, even though most of the plot seems to be a setup for bigger things to come. I will read the first trilogy as soon as I get the chance and definitely get the rest of this one.
I have to say, not having read A Darker Shade of Magic didn't damper my enjoyment for this book,nor did it make it difficult to understand. The author made sure there was enough information to go by.
I really enjoyed the world as well as the characters, even though most of the plot seems to be a setup for bigger things to come. I will read the first trilogy as soon as I get the chance and definitely get the rest of this one.
morgancarp's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
2.5
roteddy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
My biggest complaint is we spent so much of this book building up the plot to the next book which is separate from this books main plot. It’s all lined up but it didn’t start in this book so I’m stuck waiting to see these plots twine together. I’m impatient!!!