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A review by angel_kiiss
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Not much to say other than it’s a good book with a good premise that keeps the pages turning well into the night.
Both protagonists are complex, flawed, and lovable characters who don’t feel like props or objects to be pushed around. Lila, the girl protagonist, is not pushed around by the plot but in fact, dictates how the plot will happen. Most, if not all, of her decisions, have significant effects on the story and change the male protagonist's path several times.
Personally, Kell took a bit to get used to; I didn’t connect with the character initially and naturally leaned toward Lila, but as he came into his own he revealed characteristics that I identified with. Once with him - and once the plot really began to thicken - I couldn’t put this book down. I drank it down like sweet tea, I had to know what happened. And even then, at every point the book could have thrown trouble in their way, it did, and the slow realization that the protagonists were never safe only fueled the fire.
I read a review that argued this was a ploy for a screenplay, and let’s be clear - I agree, but I don’t see anything wrong with that. Let people movie-bait. Let women write just as cheesy as men.
Lila also seems to be a derisive character in that many people find her annoying. To that, I ask: is she annoying or are you still working through internalized misogyny? Do you always find cutthroat characters only out to save themselves hard to connect to? Or is it a subconscious belief that aggressive women characters are annoying? Either way, I loved her and would prefer to read about how her life of conquest and adventure unfolds.
Both protagonists are complex, flawed, and lovable characters who don’t feel like props or objects to be pushed around. Lila, the girl protagonist, is not pushed around by the plot but in fact, dictates how the plot will happen. Most, if not all, of her decisions, have significant effects on the story and change the male protagonist's path several times.
Personally, Kell took a bit to get used to; I didn’t connect with the character initially and naturally leaned toward Lila, but as he came into his own he revealed characteristics that I identified with. Once with him - and once the plot really began to thicken - I couldn’t put this book down. I drank it down like sweet tea, I had to know what happened. And even then, at every point the book could have thrown trouble in their way, it did, and the slow realization that the protagonists were never safe only fueled the fire.
I read a review that argued this was a ploy for a screenplay, and let’s be clear - I agree, but I don’t see anything wrong with that. Let people movie-bait. Let women write just as cheesy as men.
Lila also seems to be a derisive character in that many people find her annoying. To that, I ask: is she annoying or are you still working through internalized misogyny? Do you always find cutthroat characters only out to save themselves hard to connect to? Or is it a subconscious belief that aggressive women characters are annoying? Either way, I loved her and would prefer to read about how her life of conquest and adventure unfolds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Child death