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anikarajan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
evie_jane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
seashelleyo's review against another edition
3.0
I was just…bored, I guess? Lots happened, nothing really bugged me, but I never really got invested.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
A fast-moving, fun read with a strong female character who wears boots and kicks ass. It was a nice bit of brain candy fantasy, and I'll certainly follow this up with the second in the series.
platzapus's review against another edition
2.0
🧡 inventive but underwhelming. The bad guys are just bad.
luke_j's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ahollman's review against another edition
5.0
v. e schwab deserves a big ol kiss for these masterpieces she keeps writing. beautiful world building and charming, intense characters GOD
exaccardi's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
iangamiere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
I will admit, I was predisposed to loving this book. Fantasy has always been my favorite genre, and I have yet to find a V. E. Schwab novel that I didn’t like (knock on wood!). Even going in knowing I would at the very least enjoy the magical adventure told within, I did not anticipate how fast I would devour it. I hung on to every detail of this multiverse, every word enveloping me further in its expertly crafted escapism. From the characters (heroes and villains alike), to the world-building, to even simple dialogue; this book is a masterclass in everything fantasy should be. Schwab’s prose is masterful as always and yet it still managed to surprise me. I mean, you usually don’t get memorable quotes from fantasy novels, but, “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.” is absolutely profound.
The main reason I found myself so entranced with this world is the pacing of the novel overall. The mystery and simple world-building are enough to get you hooked, but this alone is not enough to compel a reader to continue reading; something Schwab was very well aware of. That’s why about one hundred pages in the real danger and threat of this world is revealed to the reader, and from that point on the book has a vice grip on your attention. I love the sense of urgency that permeates the whole book without feeling like anything was too rushed. If anything was rushing me through the novel it was myself, and perhaps that led to me missing some more of the nuance to the book. I still don’t see this as a bad thing necessarily. I haven’t read a book this quickly in a long time and I appreciated it for compelling me to always read just one more chapter.
Another great thing about this book was the dichotomy between the main characters: the reserved, careful, and strategy-oriented Kell clashed nicely against the brash, adventurous, and headstrong Lila. Even minor characters are brought to life with a skilled hand and thoughtful dialogue. Some of these characters fall into typical fantasy clichés such as the formidable yet humble king or the slightly air-headed but always charming prince, but Schwab demonstrates such a mastery of her characters that it is hardly noticeable and is in no way distracting to the overall narrative. The villains are also delightfully evil, something I knew Schwab had a talent for (see Vicious) and yet was still amazed at.
A Darker Shade of Magic is an amazing feat in the fantasy genre. It is self-contained so that the reader can stop at this book if they so choose, but also serves as a launching point for the proceeding trilogy if the reader wants to live in this world longer. And now that Schwab has decided to return to this world with her new Threads of Power series, there is no better time to travel to the different Londons. The only reason I’m not giving this a perfect five stars is because I’m hoping that the series will only blossom from here. And maybe it passed me by too quickly for my own liking.
The main reason I found myself so entranced with this world is the pacing of the novel overall. The mystery and simple world-building are enough to get you hooked, but this alone is not enough to compel a reader to continue reading; something Schwab was very well aware of. That’s why about one hundred pages in the real danger and threat of this world is revealed to the reader, and from that point on the book has a vice grip on your attention. I love the sense of urgency that permeates the whole book without feeling like anything was too rushed. If anything was rushing me through the novel it was myself, and perhaps that led to me missing some more of the nuance to the book. I still don’t see this as a bad thing necessarily. I haven’t read a book this quickly in a long time and I appreciated it for compelling me to always read just one more chapter.
Another great thing about this book was the dichotomy between the main characters: the reserved, careful, and strategy-oriented Kell clashed nicely against the brash, adventurous, and headstrong Lila. Even minor characters are brought to life with a skilled hand and thoughtful dialogue. Some of these characters fall into typical fantasy clichés such as the formidable yet humble king or the slightly air-headed but always charming prince, but Schwab demonstrates such a mastery of her characters that it is hardly noticeable and is in no way distracting to the overall narrative. The villains are also delightfully evil, something I knew Schwab had a talent for (see Vicious) and yet was still amazed at.
A Darker Shade of Magic is an amazing feat in the fantasy genre. It is self-contained so that the reader can stop at this book if they so choose, but also serves as a launching point for the proceeding trilogy if the reader wants to live in this world longer. And now that Schwab has decided to return to this world with her new Threads of Power series, there is no better time to travel to the different Londons. The only reason I’m not giving this a perfect five stars is because I’m hoping that the series will only blossom from here. And maybe it passed me by too quickly for my own liking.