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A review by whit_lovesbooks
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THIS is the kind of fantasy that I believe deserves every ounce of love it gets. Strong characters and character development, a deeply interesting plot that is developed well, a cool magic system that always follows its rules…. VE Schwab is a beautiful genius with her writing.
Kell is driven by loyalty and kindness, and that is why I loved him so much. He was very selfless, but it is done in such a compelling way. I think a lot of fantasy books like to make their characters selfless, which is a good character trait if done well…but many times in other stories, it isn’t done well. This one does it in such a way that makes him a good foil for the other main character, Lila.
Lila is…well, not gonna lie, I’m a little bit in love with her. She’s selfish, prickly, and grumpy, and I LOVE that about her. There were several funny moments throughout the book in which I would’ve gotten down on one knee to propose to her. Her trauma and background drive her forward. Her and Kell create an incredibly powerful duo - a little bit like a “good cop, bad cop” type. They are both focused on business, but the way they approach it is so different and yet, they balance each other out very well.
This is only the first book in a trilogy, but I really am amazed at what I’ve read so far. The side characters were also very cool?? Rhy was a believable brother and future king. Holland was a believable traumatized villain who was only villain by circumstance, not by nature (which, by the way, is SO INTERESTING.)
Also, there were TWO twists in this book that I wasn’t expecting, and the second one (SPOILER- Lila being an Antari) made me gasp. I’m so excited to continue this series.
Kell is driven by loyalty and kindness, and that is why I loved him so much. He was very selfless, but it is done in such a compelling way. I think a lot of fantasy books like to make their characters selfless, which is a good character trait if done well…but many times in other stories, it isn’t done well. This one does it in such a way that makes him a good foil for the other main character, Lila.
Lila is…well, not gonna lie, I’m a little bit in love with her. She’s selfish, prickly, and grumpy, and I LOVE that about her. There were several funny moments throughout the book in which I would’ve gotten down on one knee to propose to her. Her trauma and background drive her forward. Her and Kell create an incredibly powerful duo - a little bit like a “good cop, bad cop” type. They are both focused on business, but the way they approach it is so different and yet, they balance each other out very well.
This is only the first book in a trilogy, but I really am amazed at what I’ve read so far. The side characters were also very cool?? Rhy was a believable brother and future king. Holland was a believable traumatized villain who was only villain by circumstance, not by nature (which, by the way, is SO INTERESTING.)
Also, there were TWO twists in this book that I wasn’t expecting, and the second one (SPOILER- Lila being an Antari) made me gasp. I’m so excited to continue this series.