A review by sweetsorrows
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

5.0

falling into some fantasy cliches, this book was as predictable as it was unpredictable. i adore the world building in this series, and this book made me love it more. the addition of not only character but also cultural development made the book encompassing. i loved the family dynamics and relationship dynamics and how just truly realistic they are. no one is playing middle school drama out. most of the adults act like adults. the authority figures aren't dictators. the children aren't idiots. like magic, the balance of characterization in this book was very important and very well executed.