A review by caffeine_free
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I found myself enjoying V.E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic. At times, it was confusing, because the characters were introduced as if you had already known them; and I had trouble connecting, or even liking some, but the adventure? It was surely there.

This book was descriptive, but not in a way that it'd turn you off. It actually felt like I was in all four Londons, and that I was with Lila and Kell throughout their deadly adventure.

Although, there were some parts of the book that fell short to me.
For example, when Kell had told the Prince Regent of White London off by comparing his London to Black London.
It just didn't have enough power, in my opinion, to really strike me.

There was also the scene where Lilah chastised Kell for correcting her when she called him a "member of the Royal Family". He's practically owned by them, and yet, she said all of that. . And I understand why, because to her, it would just sound like whining since he grew up with so many luxuries and she didn't.  But that doesn't negate the fact that Kell's not free. After all, “a respectable prison is still a prison”. That scene soured the kiss they shared when they went into Black London for me.
. Nevertheless, it was worth the re-read.


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