A review by ashlightgrayson
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

5.0

It was a delight to enter this magical world. I'm a sucker for portal fantasy and this setting explores three different worlds: White London, Red London, and Grey London. The characters all have distinct personalities, and they all piqued my interest from the start. Lila, Kell, and Rhy in particular make themselves stand out on the page. Lila and Kell have incredibly contrasting upbringings and there is a lot of social commentary pertaining to growing up with privilege and how that changes your outlook on things. Despite his more privileged upbringing, Kell still feels like an outsider in many ways. He has been blessed with the magic of a dying breed and has the love and support of his adoptive brother and parents. Still, he feels that the love his family has for him is conditional. This makes for very interesting character development for him as the stakes in the story get higher. Lila on the other hand, has never belonged and has been forced by circumstances to learn how to survive the world on her own. This makes her a great foil to Kell. She is one of the few people who treat him like an equal (other than his brother) and she consistently challenges him. It makes for a lot of interesting development in their relationship from strangers to friends. The villains aren't too far behind are incredibly memorable as well.

Additionally, the contrast between each London was palpable. For the scenes set in Red London you could feel the magic in the atmosphere. Grey London felt just as dull as Red London was vibrant. White London felt dangerous, imitating the tension I feel while watching a horror film. The descriptions really added to the reading experience and made it incredibly easy to differentiate the different Londons. 

Overall, this book and world were fun, interesting, and made me want to keep reading. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, especially knowing that Schwab is currently working on more sequels. If you enjoy portal fantasies with interesting characters and great world building I would definitely recommend this one.
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