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A review by annmeyer
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
per the author's acknowledgments, "a book about cross-dressing thieves [delilah, our MFC] and magical men in fabulous coats [kell, our MMC]" that travel between different-colored londons in parallel universes
only the beginnings of romance in this fantasy novel. however, the next book, which is more focused on global travel (yes, that's right, it's time for sea-faring pirates and girlbossery) rather than teleportation across a multiverse, features more of the slow burn introduced in the first installment of this series, hallelujah. while this novel has a royal ball, the second has a royal magical competition like everyone's most beloved books (throne of glass and the goblet of fire), so it's a very entertaining read — my personal favorite of the series.
highly recommend this book. it definitely still holds up after reading it a couple of years ago (bumping it up to 5 stars, can't help myself) and i'm itching to start the sequel
only the beginnings of romance in this fantasy novel. however, the next book, which is more focused on global travel (yes, that's right, it's time for sea-faring pirates and girlbossery) rather than teleportation across a multiverse, features more of the slow burn introduced in the first installment of this series, hallelujah. while this novel has a royal ball, the second has a royal magical competition like everyone's most beloved books (throne of glass and the goblet of fire), so it's a very entertaining read — my personal favorite of the series.
highly recommend this book. it definitely still holds up after reading it a couple of years ago (bumping it up to 5 stars, can't help myself) and i'm itching to start the sequel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence