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A review by mkw1lson
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I was so thrilled to learn that there was a second trilogy in this universe and with these characters. I loved the first trilogy so much and I loved these characters so much, it is such a blessing to get to read more about them and this world - although now I have to wait for the second and third books! Which is both sad (because I want more now) and exciting (because anticipation is cool too).
I enjoyed this book a lot! A bit of a slow start, but well worth it. There is all the action and adventure we have come to know from the first couple of books, with much more political intrigue and a look at how Red London and White London are both struggling for control in the face of magic beginning to fade. The book deals with the fallout from A Conjuring of Light without pulling any punches - Rhy has a complicated relationship with the crown he is now stuck with, Alucard still struggles with his birth family and his role in the palace, Kell can't use his magic without excruciating pain, and Lila is still coming to terms with having people she loves and doesn't want to leave.
And, there are new characters too!
One of my main critiques of the original trilogy was how few female characters were in the books and that this often made Lila's distaste for other women feel less like a character flaw and more like a commentary about women. This book fixed that because there are a lot of new female characters, each complex and interesting in their own right. (Lila still has a particular dislike for other women, but finally, it feels like a character flaw - a loathing of gendernorms directed at other women - which I hope to see developed a bit more in future books, but also, it's Lila so maybe not.)
I adored Tes and Kosika! Tes was such a sweet character, stuck in a mess that somebody else forced her into and just trying to weasel her way out of it. She's so smart and her magic is interesting -her place with Maris is perfect, but I will be very sad if we lose her POV in the rest of the trilogy. Kosika has the weight of the world on her shoulders, at such a young age, and somehow she bears it with grace. I love her sweetness, even in a brutal world, and her drive to do good and help is so lovely. I fear that we will be seeing this drive corrupted in the same way Holland's was (esp with his misguided helping hand... if that's really Holland), but I'm sure I'll still love her anyways! Nadiya is a very interesting character, and perhaps one of the most morally grey in the series, but that's what makes her more interesting. I can't say I liked her, but I didn't dislike her, and I enjoyed what she added to the book and the dynamic between the characters. I particularly like the antagonism between Lila and Nadiya because they are similar in their lack of moral principles, and how they recklessly push the envelope to achieve more. It's interesting how Nadiya using Alucard's powers and Lila using Kell's powers in A Conjuring of Light mirror each other - both fascinated that they have this power and unaware of the damage they might be causing to the other person. Interesting dynamic between them.
The book has an overarching plot with a satisfying conclusion, but it is also setting up a longer story, so there is a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's very good and I'm looking forward to what will come of it.
I enjoyed this book a lot! A bit of a slow start, but well worth it. There is all the action and adventure we have come to know from the first couple of books, with much more political intrigue and a look at how Red London and White London are both struggling for control in the face of magic beginning to fade. The book deals with the fallout from A Conjuring of Light without pulling any punches - Rhy has a complicated relationship with the crown he is now stuck with, Alucard still struggles with his birth family and his role in the palace, Kell can't use his magic without excruciating pain, and Lila is still coming to terms with having people she loves and doesn't want to leave.
And, there are new characters too!
One of my main critiques of the original trilogy was how few female characters were in the books and that this often made Lila's distaste for other women feel less like a character flaw and more like a commentary about women. This book fixed that because there are a lot of new female characters, each complex and interesting in their own right. (Lila still has a particular dislike for other women, but finally, it feels like a character flaw - a loathing of gendernorms directed at other women - which I hope to see developed a bit more in future books, but also, it's Lila so maybe not.)
I adored Tes and Kosika! Tes was such a sweet character, stuck in a mess that somebody else forced her into and just trying to weasel her way out of it. She's so smart and her magic is interesting -
The book has an overarching plot with a satisfying conclusion, but it is also setting up a longer story, so there is a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's very good and I'm looking forward to what will come of it.