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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3+ Sterne.
Ich mag die Charaktere sehr, vor allem Kell, Rhy und Holland. Ansonsten muss ich sagen, dass ich noch nicht vom Hocker gefallen bin, was Plot, Schreibstil und Worldbuilding angeht. Aber Charaktere sind mir eigentlich auch immer mit am wichtigsten, ich hatte Spaß und freue mich auf die Fortsetzungen.
Ich mag die Charaktere sehr, vor allem Kell, Rhy und Holland. Ansonsten muss ich sagen, dass ich noch nicht vom Hocker gefallen bin, was Plot, Schreibstil und Worldbuilding angeht. Aber Charaktere sind mir eigentlich auch immer mit am wichtigsten, ich hatte Spaß und freue mich auf die Fortsetzungen.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely loved this one way more than I thought I would! I really enjoyed the ending too! I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab is a captivating fantasy that expertly blends adventure, intrigue, and a fascinating system of magic. The novel introduces us to the concept of parallel worlds, each with its own version of London—red, gray, white, and black—each world offering a unique exploration of magic, politics, and danger. Schwab’s world-building is one of the book’s strongest elements, with each world feeling distinct and fully realized. The layers of worlds are not just a backdrop; they are central to the conflict and character development, and the differences between them are skillfully conveyed.
The magic system is brilliant. Schwab takes a fresh approach to magic, intertwining it with the fabric of each world, and the magic users' powers are tied to specific colors of London. Red London thrives with magic, Gray London is devoid of it, White London struggles to control it, and Black London is a dangerous, nearly forgotten place. This intricate connection between magic and the worlds creates a natural tension and adds depth to the story, making magic feel like both a gift and a burden. The idea that magic can be a living, breathing entity that can be both a force of creation and destruction is thought-provoking and well-executed.
The protagonist, Kell, is a charming and complex character. A "Traveler," he has the unique ability to move between these worlds, a responsibility he does not take lightly. His relationship with Lila Bard, a pickpocket from Gray London who becomes an unlikely ally, brings a grounded, human element to the novel. Lila's fierce independence and her desire for adventure make her an excellent foil for Kell, and their dynamic adds a layer of warmth and humor to the story.
The pacing is well-balanced, with Schwab carefully layering action with moments of introspection and character development. The plot moves quickly, but not at the expense of depth. There are twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, and the stakes are raised at just the right moments. What stands out is how Schwab handles both the larger world-building and the smaller, more intimate moments between characters—both are given equal weight, making the novel feel both grand and personal.
One of the book’s standout qualities is the sense of mystery and danger that pervades each of the Londons, particularly Black London, which looms like a dark and ominous presence throughout the narrative. Schwab’s ability to create such distinct worlds and weave them together into a cohesive, thrilling story is impressive.
The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that there are moments where the pacing can feel a bit uneven, particularly in the middle of the novel. While it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience, there are sections where the plot could have moved a little faster.
Overall, A Darker Shade of Magic is an incredibly imaginative and engaging read. Schwab’s ability to create a multi-layered world of magic, danger, and adventure is impressive, and her characters are rich with depth and personality. Fans of fantasy with strong world-building and a unique magic system will find this novel to be a rewarding read. Solid 4.5 stars.
The magic system is brilliant. Schwab takes a fresh approach to magic, intertwining it with the fabric of each world, and the magic users' powers are tied to specific colors of London. Red London thrives with magic, Gray London is devoid of it, White London struggles to control it, and Black London is a dangerous, nearly forgotten place. This intricate connection between magic and the worlds creates a natural tension and adds depth to the story, making magic feel like both a gift and a burden. The idea that magic can be a living, breathing entity that can be both a force of creation and destruction is thought-provoking and well-executed.
The protagonist, Kell, is a charming and complex character. A "Traveler," he has the unique ability to move between these worlds, a responsibility he does not take lightly. His relationship with Lila Bard, a pickpocket from Gray London who becomes an unlikely ally, brings a grounded, human element to the novel. Lila's fierce independence and her desire for adventure make her an excellent foil for Kell, and their dynamic adds a layer of warmth and humor to the story.
The pacing is well-balanced, with Schwab carefully layering action with moments of introspection and character development. The plot moves quickly, but not at the expense of depth. There are twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, and the stakes are raised at just the right moments. What stands out is how Schwab handles both the larger world-building and the smaller, more intimate moments between characters—both are given equal weight, making the novel feel both grand and personal.
One of the book’s standout qualities is the sense of mystery and danger that pervades each of the Londons, particularly Black London, which looms like a dark and ominous presence throughout the narrative. Schwab’s ability to create such distinct worlds and weave them together into a cohesive, thrilling story is impressive.
The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that there are moments where the pacing can feel a bit uneven, particularly in the middle of the novel. While it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience, there are sections where the plot could have moved a little faster.
Overall, A Darker Shade of Magic is an incredibly imaginative and engaging read. Schwab’s ability to create a multi-layered world of magic, danger, and adventure is impressive, and her characters are rich with depth and personality. Fans of fantasy with strong world-building and a unique magic system will find this novel to be a rewarding read. Solid 4.5 stars.
This was good. Better than good. 4.5 stars good. Like I'm going out today to get book #2 in the series. Yep. That good. It was more fantasy than sci-fi and I don't normally like fantasy but this was awesome. I'm all in.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated