Scan barcode
A review by rowievdvliet
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
5.0
Maybe you think an author knows exactly how to deliver their story in the best way. Unless you've read a lot of books and can be as harsh of a critic as I am. Especially if you've dabbled into writing yourself then you must know: presenting the story as it is in your head on paper is hard. Sometimes when I read a book I just can't help to think that either the pacing is off, the characters suddenly seem very different people or the plot doesn't make sense for the rules the author has established.
I can't blame these authors. I've stopped writing my story for over half a year because I read through it and decided I wanted to start all over. Which I am still scared to do, because for the most part I have no idea where I'm going with it.
You're probably wondering what this has to do with A Darker Shade of Magic. Not all that much, because V.E. Schwab doesn't seem to be one of these authors. At least not in the finished book. With every sentence I get the feeling she knows exactly what she's doing. It starts with the slow build up to make you familiar with the characters and the intricate magic system she's invented. Sure, you could start the story right away, but who would care for it if we didn't know who these people were? I gobbled up her words, patiently awaiting the plot I knew would come. And trust me, it's there. She weaves it with what feels like the flick of a magic wand. Or rather an Antari carelessly using magic.
Whenever I noticed a literary trick (or what felt like one) I would get extra excited. I haven't read any of Schwab's other works, but this book really shows what a good writer she is. Her words are beautiful, but never overdone. Her editor and her know exactly when it is the right time for the story to unfold. Especially in the beginning it didn't feel like she was using the same tricks over and over. The book felt like Kell's cloak with its many layers that fit each world.
Sure, it felt a little overwhelming at first. There's a lot of characters and you have no idea what the hell is going on. Starting to read this book feels like you've just be thrown into another version of London. But as the pages slide through your fingers, I'm sure you'll get more and more familiar with the world.
A character in this made me think of my own story. I've got the characters and I know some of their background and little parts of the world they live in. But maybe it's time I truly opened up that door and let myself imerge in a world like Schwab must've done with hers. I can only hope it will be half as good as this.
I can't blame these authors. I've stopped writing my story for over half a year because I read through it and decided I wanted to start all over. Which I am still scared to do, because for the most part I have no idea where I'm going with it.
You're probably wondering what this has to do with A Darker Shade of Magic. Not all that much, because V.E. Schwab doesn't seem to be one of these authors. At least not in the finished book. With every sentence I get the feeling she knows exactly what she's doing. It starts with the slow build up to make you familiar with the characters and the intricate magic system she's invented. Sure, you could start the story right away, but who would care for it if we didn't know who these people were? I gobbled up her words, patiently awaiting the plot I knew would come. And trust me, it's there. She weaves it with what feels like the flick of a magic wand. Or rather an Antari carelessly using magic.
Whenever I noticed a literary trick (or what felt like one) I would get extra excited. I haven't read any of Schwab's other works, but this book really shows what a good writer she is. Her words are beautiful, but never overdone. Her editor and her know exactly when it is the right time for the story to unfold. Especially in the beginning it didn't feel like she was using the same tricks over and over. The book felt like Kell's cloak with its many layers that fit each world.
Sure, it felt a little overwhelming at first. There's a lot of characters and you have no idea what the hell is going on. Starting to read this book feels like you've just be thrown into another version of London. But as the pages slide through your fingers, I'm sure you'll get more and more familiar with the world.
A character in this made me think of my own story. I've got the characters and I know some of their background and little parts of the world they live in. But maybe it's time I truly opened up that door and let myself imerge in a world like Schwab must've done with hers. I can only hope it will be half as good as this.