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caroline1022's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
na0my's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? N/A
4.0
mirrorofneptune's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry to everyone who recommended this book to me, but I just wasn’t very into it. I like the author’s writing style and the world-building was interesting, so I really don’t know what didn’t click for me. I might continue the series if bullied enough by my friends, but beyond that there just wasn’t enough for me personally to get hooked.
iz_shevez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was straight fire. The world building is so cool and I lobve teh concept and magic system. The characters are so loveable like omg my littke war criminals.
megancperry's review
dnf @ pg 237
I was really looking forward to this book, but I didn't get on with the characters; I don't know what it was about them that got on my nerves but I wasn't a fan of Lila or Kell. Although the fantasy concept seemed fascinating, I never truly got into the story, and frankly I'm not sure that I would've changed my mind if I had continued it for the last 150 pages. Overall, this one simply wasn't for me.
I was really looking forward to this book, but I didn't get on with the characters; I don't know what it was about them that got on my nerves but I wasn't a fan of Lila or Kell. Although the fantasy concept seemed fascinating, I never truly got into the story, and frankly I'm not sure that I would've changed my mind if I had continued it for the last 150 pages. Overall, this one simply wasn't for me.
lbarsk's review against another edition
4.0
This book was SO GOOD and EXACTLY the kind of fantasy that I love to read. Schwab does an AMAZING job of getting you so invested within the first, I dunno, 30 pages or so that when the action really picks up you are TURNING PAGES AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT. I was just so WORRIED throughout this book, and feel like I'll actually need to reread parts before getting to the second book in the series because I was reading so fast.
This gets 4 stars instead of 5 because the ending felt slightly wonky to me -- like, nice to see that the stress level has calmed down after a ROLLERCOASTER OF A NOVEL, but I'm actually not sure I would've known to look for a second book had I not already known there was one. Actually, in a way, it feels like the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in that sense? Like, when you finish reading that one for the first time you're like "hmm ok! this... wrapped up! and something's bound to happen but it doesn't feel urgent right now. I want to see what happens to Harry and his pals but I'm not quite sure where this is going to go." Because I do want to see what happens next! I love Lila and Kell! There are A LOT OF UNSOLVED MYSTERIES AT PLAY. It was just weird to go from this pace of SUPER INTENSE ACTION AH HIGH STRESS LOOK AT THESE COOL CHARACTERS BEING BADASSES WOW YIKES to "oh ok... the book is suddenly over!"
DESPITE THAT, please read this book. You'll really enjoy yourself and, yes, you'll definitely want to read the second one to see what happens next. Also, you'll love the characters immediately -- I did -- and Schwab's worldbuilding is TOP NOTCH.
This gets 4 stars instead of 5 because the ending felt slightly wonky to me -- like, nice to see that the stress level has calmed down after a ROLLERCOASTER OF A NOVEL, but I'm actually not sure I would've known to look for a second book had I not already known there was one. Actually, in a way, it feels like the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in that sense? Like, when you finish reading that one for the first time you're like "hmm ok! this... wrapped up! and something's bound to happen but it doesn't feel urgent right now. I want to see what happens to Harry and his pals but I'm not quite sure where this is going to go." Because I do want to see what happens next! I love Lila and Kell! There are A LOT OF UNSOLVED MYSTERIES AT PLAY. It was just weird to go from this pace of SUPER INTENSE ACTION AH HIGH STRESS LOOK AT THESE COOL CHARACTERS BEING BADASSES WOW YIKES to "oh ok... the book is suddenly over!"
DESPITE THAT, please read this book. You'll really enjoy yourself and, yes, you'll definitely want to read the second one to see what happens next. Also, you'll love the characters immediately -- I did -- and Schwab's worldbuilding is TOP NOTCH.
njarmarwala's review
4.0
***SPOILER FREE***
I came across "The Darker Shade of Magic" series because I picked up a copy of "The Fragile Threads of Power" (TFTOP) from a local bookstore. Being the completely sane person that I am (LIES), in addition to reading the synopsis on the jacket cover, I also spent a lot of time reading Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads reviews. I needed to make sure it was a decent read before I brought it home with me. And the reviews did not disappoint. However, during my review research, I learned that, although there is an overlap of characters that also appear in the A Darker Shade of Magic Series, TFTOP is a stand-alone book and can be read without knowledge of the original series.
My brain, unfortunately, is not wired that way. I needed to read the original series before delving into TFTOP. So here I am!
To be completely honest, this is the first year that I have ever committed time to reading the books I've always had on my TBR. At best, I would read maybe three books a year (and that's being generous). So, going into this, I had no knowledge of V. E. Schwab's work. But, I am so glad I've found them. Schwab has done a brilliant job in world-building the Four Londons. Although I found it a little challenging at first to differentiate between the distinct characteristics of each London, as the story progressed, everything began to fall into place. But, I'm like that with every new fantasy book I read. I'm pretty sure my brain processes information like dial-up internet. It is what it is. Every character featured in this story has so much depth, and I'm intrigued by how the rest of their story unfolds throughout the series.
That being said, I will definitely be completing this series before the end of this year, and I'm excited to get into more of Schwab's work!
I came across "The Darker Shade of Magic" series because I picked up a copy of "The Fragile Threads of Power" (TFTOP) from a local bookstore. Being the completely sane person that I am (LIES), in addition to reading the synopsis on the jacket cover, I also spent a lot of time reading Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads reviews. I needed to make sure it was a decent read before I brought it home with me. And the reviews did not disappoint. However, during my review research, I learned that, although there is an overlap of characters that also appear in the A Darker Shade of Magic Series, TFTOP is a stand-alone book and can be read without knowledge of the original series.
My brain, unfortunately, is not wired that way. I needed to read the original series before delving into TFTOP. So here I am!
To be completely honest, this is the first year that I have ever committed time to reading the books I've always had on my TBR. At best, I would read maybe three books a year (and that's being generous). So, going into this, I had no knowledge of V. E. Schwab's work. But, I am so glad I've found them. Schwab has done a brilliant job in world-building the Four Londons. Although I found it a little challenging at first to differentiate between the distinct characteristics of each London, as the story progressed, everything began to fall into place. But, I'm like that with every new fantasy book I read. I'm pretty sure my brain processes information like dial-up internet. It is what it is. Every character featured in this story has so much depth, and I'm intrigued by how the rest of their story unfolds throughout the series.
That being said, I will definitely be completing this series before the end of this year, and I'm excited to get into more of Schwab's work!
valecore's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
dengola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25