V.E. Schwab

Traces the rise and fall of kingdoms throughout the Maresh Empire, where a fraught balance of magic endangers both heroes and foes.

A Novel

A Conjuring of Light

Aimee Smith

Isabel Menchón Martínez

the ending of this series is very bittersweet to me. often, i fly through books, eager to see what happens next, to get to happily ever after. with this series, i was torn between wanting to finish as quickly as possible, and savoring the story as long as i could. ultimately, my desperation won, and i finished the story very quickly.

my heart aches for these characters, for what was necessary for them to reach their happy ending. i truly felt like i was a part of their family, thrown together in the mix. i mourn so many characters, who's deaths weren't necessary, but is death ever necessary? it's just something that's bound to happen eventually. it comes quickly, in the night, expected by no one. 

the character development in this book was strong, and brought them all closer together, finally somewhat of a dysfunctional family. lila matured very quickly in this book, and i've truly grown to love her as the flawed girl she is. but holland has been my favorite from the beginning. i connected with him from the start, sensing there was more than the cruel man he was shown to be. i loved getting to learn more about his story, about what shaped him into the scared, resigned person he turned out to be. of course, kell, rhy, and alucard all have my heart in their own way. 

schwab's ability to conjure up an entire world on a page is very special to me, very magical. not once was the spell broken, leaving me to realize i'm not living in the world, but staring at words on a page. i truly felt that what was happening was real. i'm sad that i'll never be able to experience this story again with fresh eyes, but i know this will be one of my favorite series of all time. 

will

the ending of this series is very bittersweet to me. often, i fly through books, eager to see what happens next, to get to happily ever after. with this series, i was torn between wanting to finish as quickly as possible, and savoring the story as long as i could. ultimately, my desperation won, and i finished the story very quickly.

my heart aches for these characters, for what was necessary for them to reach their happy ending. i truly felt like i was a part of their family, thrown together in the mix. i mourn so many characters, who's deaths weren't necessary, but is death ever necessary? it's just something that's bound to happen eventually. it comes quickly, in the night, expected by no one. 

the character development in this book was strong, and brought them all closer together, finally somewhat of a dysfunctional family. lila matured very quickly in this book, and i've truly grown to love her as the flawed girl she is. but holland has been my favorite from the beginning. i connected with him from the start, sensing there was more than the cruel man he was shown to be. i loved getting to learn more about his story, about what shaped him into the scared, resigned person he turned out to be. of course, kell, rhy, and alucard all have my heart in their own way. 

schwab's ability to conjure up an entire world on a page is very special to me, very magical. not once was the spell broken, leaving me to realize i'm not living in the world, but staring at words on a page. i truly felt that what was happening was real. i'm sad that i'll never be able to experience this story again with fresh eyes, but i know this will be one of my favorite series of all time. 

my heart aches for these characters, for what was necessary for them to reach their happy ending. i truly felt like i was a part of their family, thrown together in the mix. i mourn so many characters, who's deaths weren't necessary, but is death ever necessary? it's just something that's bound to happen eventually. it comes quickly, in the night, expected by no one. 

the character development in this book was strong, and brought them all closer together, finally somewhat of a dysfunctional family. lila matured very quickly in this book, and i've truly grown to love her as the flawed girl she is. but holland has been my favorite from the beginning. i connected with him from the start, sensing there was more than the cruel man he was shown to be. i loved getting to learn more about his story, about what shaped him into the scared, resigned person he turned out to be. of course, kell, rhy, and alucard all have my heart in their own way. 

schwab's ability to conjure up an entire world on a page is very special to me, very magical. not once was the spell broken, leaving me to realize i'm not living in the world, but staring at words on a page. i truly felt that what was happening was real. i'm sad that i'll never be able to experience this story again with fresh eyes, but i know this will be one of my favorite series of all time. 

the ending of this series is very bittersweet to me. often, i fly through books, eager to see what happens next, to get to happily ever after. with this series, i was torn between wanting to finish as quickly as possible, and savoring the story as long as i could. ultimately, my desperation won, and i finished the story very quickly.

my heart aches for these characters, for what was necessary for them to reach their happy ending. i truly felt like i was a part of their family, thrown together in the mix. i mourn so many characters, who's deaths weren't necessary, but is death ever necessary? it's just something that's bound to happen eventually. it comes quickly, in the night, expected by no one. 

the character development in this book was strong, and brought them all closer together, finally somewhat of a dysfunctional family. lila matured very quickly in this book, and i've truly grown to love her as the flawed girl she is. but holland has been my favorite from the beginning. i connected with him from the start, sensing there was more than the cruel man he was shown to be. i loved getting to learn more about his story, about what shaped him into the scared, resigned person he turned out to be. of course, kell, rhy, and alucard all have my heart in their own way. 

schwab's ability to conjure up an entire world on a page is very special to me, very magical. not once was the spell broken, leaving me to realize i'm not living in the world, but staring at words on a page. i truly felt that what was happening was real. i'm sad that i'll never be able to experience this story again with fresh eyes, but i know this will be one of my favorite series of all time. 

Jacob Atchison

THIS WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE. Schwab really defined the characters and wrote a beautiful story with an amazing plot. I was really happy with how the world developed. I also was glad that Holland and the other Antari got to kind of rebuild their friendship and every one of them got the ending they deserved. 

Overall, an amazing book that is one of my favorites.

Hanna Rybchynska

This was the last book from the trilogy A Darker Shade of Magic.

Even though I had some problems finishing this book I admit that it isn't that bad. It gives a good closure to the story. I think that the book is too long and it has too much not important information for the storyline. Also, I thought that the MC had too much luck, because plot!

Overall, this series is solid 3 stars for me.

The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise. Kell begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown and a fallen hero is desperate to save a decaying world...

Nova

i loved this tremendously. as usual the writing is captivating, and so easy to read. i didn't have high hopes when i started reading, i simply got the series recommended to me by a friend but wow, totally blew me away. so many characters deserve better and i cried and laughed and felt all the emotions the characters were going through it's so ... Wow. this series really didn't disappoint

Selin Igten

** spoiler alert **
           I don’t know.. i don’t know. 

“-The royal crown sat heavy in Rhy’s hair, much larger than the golden band he’d worn for most of his life. That band had grown with him, the metal drawn out every year to fit his changing stature. It should have lasted him another twenty years.”

This book was kinda disappointing if i’m being honest. The only reason I didn’t dnf was because I got a little bit too attached to Rhy..

I still don’t understand what Maxim was trying to do all this time? What was he thinking when he went to face Osaron alone? What spells did he cast on his body? Also i don’t understand the connection between the old boat lady and Kell his parents. Why mention his parents in the last few pages if they’re not going to be revealed? Weird... 

A last thing. When Holland his hair turned white and his eyes turned green.. oh god. I literally experienced war flashbacks. My mind immediately thought of Sebastian 3 

also kell and rhy 3 i love brothers <3 i love angsty brothers who would die for each other <3 i love kell and i love rhy they’re so sweet my beloveds 

Anyways that was all.. i’d give this a 3’5/5 or a 4/5 cause i’m nice

kayla 

chloe rae

This took me way too long to read and I honestly think the reason is because I just DIDN'T WANT IT TO END.
This has become one of my most favorite series of all time. One of the best I've read this year by FAR. I am in love with these characters and I'm just so damn bummed its over. SO BUMMED.
Schwab has such an incredible talent for writing characters, and more specifically, STRONG characters. I love how she writes women, I love how she writes men, I love how she writes romance. All of the romance in this series was just so intense and believable; they were different from each other but just as passionate and wonderful to read. UGH. I'm just so impressed. I'm so impressed with the story and the over-all journey of change. I want to read it again. I just finished it and I want to start all over again.
This series will stay with me for a long time. I hope we get to visit these characters again the future because I just love them so dearly. I'm so glad I finally picked this up. GO READ THIS SERIES.

Zahra

This one singular book saved the entire trilogy for me. I could not put it down when I picked it up. The constant suspense was insane. The happiest ending in a tragic story. Shout out Miss Schwab for this one.

Lauren Dale

Tatiana

A Conjuring of Light: 4.5/5


  “Anoshe was a word for strangers in the street, and lovers between meetings, for parents and children, friends and family. It softened the blow of leaving. Eased the strain of parting—a careful nod to the certainty of today, the mystery of tomorrow. When a friend left, with little chance of seeing home, they said anoshe. When a loved one was dying, they said anoshe. When corpses were burned, bodies given back to the earth and souls to the stream, those left grieving said anoshe.

Anoshe brought solace. And hope. And the strength to let go.”

Premise
The third installment of the Shades of Magic series brings action, romance, and high stakes. The power imbalance between Londons is at an all-time high, leading to another London's chance to rise. 

An ancient enemy has returned, and the world's last hope is racing to conquer. 

Writing & Plot
This final installment is by no means short. That said, V.E. Schwab's writing is so easy to fall into. Sitting at 624 pages, it reads like it's at 200. Every plot point has meaning, and the world-building feels so real that it's binge-able. I've never encountered this with another author. Once again, V.E. Schwab has proved to be one of my all-time favorite authors.

My one criticism is that this book has many deaths, with little resolution for those deaths. I'm not going to elaborate on anything due to spoilers, but this book was a bloodbath.

I'm really sad it's over, though. Thank god V.E. Schwab is writing Threads of Power because I need it.


  “Love and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”

Characters:
Not much I can say here that I haven't said in previous reviews. Schwab is constantly giving her all into these characters like no one else. They feel real, tangible, and are incredibly complex. Once again, we are met with Lilah Bard, one of my favorite literary characters of all time, and she is still badass. One new aspect that Schwab introduced is a significant redemption arc, which I loved. I am blown away.

Conclusion:
A fantastic end to one of my favorite series of all time. Everything about this series is terrific, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is incredible and like nothing you've read before. I'm definitely going to pick up Vicious in the near future, and I cannot wait to continue working my way through all of Schwab's work!

Julia Moran 

I read this in like... three days and I don't regret anything, amazing, thank you.

ariadna

3.5 stars just for Holland, the rest... meh

Daymaris Arca

I’ve been wanting to read this for SOOO long! And my expectations were exceeded. I actually felt like I was saying goodbye. Anyways I wrote my thoughts for u in the last page. Good Luck ARLINE! 
ANOSHE!

Denaiir

Once again this was underwhelming, I don't think the action was very epic and I was not overly attached to the characters. I wanted to finish it to say I had but it's really not a story I will remember in a few months. 
Also, I listened to this on audio and I disliked the narrators, especially the man who had an extremely deep voice and it just sounded weird for young characters, they sounded like they were in their 50's, especially Alucard. Yuck

A gorgeously written book, alive with magic and friendship and darkness. There was not a single moment that I was not thoroughly enraptured in this story. An absolute treasure of a novel.

Kate B-L

My fricken heart. 

A gorgeously written book, alive with magic and friendship and darkness. There was not a single moment that I was not thoroughly enraptured in this story. An absolute treasure of a novel.

Sad its over but loved reading Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard, and Holland’s story. 

Lydia Enge

Emily Klo

Danny Werhane

** spoiler alert **
           TW for self harm for the whole series because of the blood magic, trauma, PTSD, suicide for book three in particular

I loved this book so much, not a dull moment the entire 600 pages. One of my favorite part of this book was Holland’s POV. It was well done and so heartbreaking. I also really liked the way Ned was included! The relationships in these books are so great. I particularly really liked Alucard and Lila’s friendship and the sibling relationship between Kell and Rhy. 

I personally felt like the Kell/Lila romance got to intense too fast in this book! It was a very slow burn in the other two books and that it just suddenly wasn’t. 

Okay. I was very annoyed when Kell decided he didn’t need to know about his past. I was dying of curiosity the entire series, and then I just get left hanging?! 

Calla and Hastra’s deaths killed me. They where such minor characters (especially Calla) and I didn’t realize how much I cared about them until they both died. It isn’t fair *cries*

Bilge Ince

Arnesian had a dozen ways to say hello buy no word for good-bye. When it came to parting ways they chose to say anoshe - until another day.


Anoshe to Kell, Lila, Alucard, Rhy and especially to Holland. I'm not ready to say goodbye feel sad like I departed a friend.

All characters in Shades of Magic trio (for now) gave me the feeling that they're real. The minute I started to read I was in it. So, A conjuring of light is also a well-plotted story like the other two but this one has more action, more love and more sadness in it. You feel close yourself to every character in the book even the villain ones. I loved Ojka as much as Lila and Holland as much as Kell. There is not a single protagonist and all have own stories, own pasts, and own futures. Heroines have the strength and a sharp mind like heroes without explicitly doing propaganda about it. And this is a type I enjoy most.

This book is filled with magic, paybacks, friendship, love, London, and action at most. There are villains and victims but the difference between them is blurry like in real life. The story is consisting of decisions, actions, and consequences. And most importantly dark magic came to perfect Red London and it needs to be saved. However, Holland is sold his body in exchange to be alive as a king in White London and Kell is dragged in a trap and imprisoned in White London with no ability to using magic. Rhy is weaker than ever; even the Queen and the King don't know how to react don't know how to protect the crown as well as the realm. Limits are sharp and sacrifices need to be given to rescue.

Nessa Luna

I’m only crying a little bit...

This book stressed me out so so much because it was so big and so much could happen. And a lot did happen, though I felt like the real action didn't start until way further into the book. Still, it gave me so many feelings that I ended up giving it five stars anyway (I mean my rule is: if I cry, it's 5 stars without having to use CAWPILE). 

I just love these characters so so much, I love Kell, I love Lila, I love Rhy, I love Alucard (view spoiler)[and yes I may have appreciated Holland (put this under a spoiler tag cuz of what happened at the end of ADSOM just in case) a bit but sorry not sorry even if he became 'good' in this book, I still didn't love him *shrugs* (hide spoiler)]

I wasn't a huge fan of the ever-changing POVs but again I felt it was necessary to properly tell the story the proper way. But yeah I HAVE FEELINGS Y'ALL. Can't wait for the Threads of Power trilogy, I need the first book now.

despite the main characters annoying the hell out of me i couldn’t put the book down. 

A Conjuring of Light A Novel

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