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A review by bookishfaye
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Positives:
- I enjoyed this! I thought the world was really interesting and unique
- I loved the whimsy writing style?? V.E. Schwab has such a distinct literary voice and it’s so cool how all their works are so vastly different & yet have some aura of Schwab that covered the work?? I love them
- I love morally grey protagonists!
- very fast paced and V.E. Schwab’s short chapters speak to me
Negatives:
- I do think at times it felt a little tropey for the sake of it & not super believable? Oftentimes things felt too convenient for the characters/story with not a lot of payoff, and the dynamic between Lila and Kell was a confusing array of almost… insta-love? For lack of a better word? Now hear me out, I know there’s not really any legitimate romance in this, I more so am regarding the at times blind faith and trust they put into each other, and then *spoiler alert* the kiss?? Felt random?? Idk…..
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this & it was quite easy to read/fly through! I have some things i’m being picky about, but I’m excited to see where this trilogy goes & I could see it getting potentially better and better and perhaps even inspiring me the raise my rating for this one higher; we shall see
- I enjoyed this! I thought the world was really interesting and unique
- I loved the whimsy writing style?? V.E. Schwab has such a distinct literary voice and it’s so cool how all their works are so vastly different & yet have some aura of Schwab that covered the work?? I love them
- I love morally grey protagonists!
- very fast paced and V.E. Schwab’s short chapters speak to me
Negatives:
- I do think at times it felt a little tropey for the sake of it & not super believable? Oftentimes things felt too convenient for the characters/story with not a lot of payoff, and the dynamic between Lila and Kell was a confusing array of almost… insta-love? For lack of a better word? Now hear me out, I know there’s not really any legitimate romance in this, I more so am regarding the at times blind faith and trust they put into each other, and then *spoiler alert* the kiss?? Felt random?? Idk…..
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this & it was quite easy to read/fly through! I have some things i’m being picky about, but I’m excited to see where this trilogy goes & I could see it getting potentially better and better and perhaps even inspiring me the raise my rating for this one higher; we shall see