V.E. Schwab

Serving as an ambassador of his own world while carrying messages to parallel-universe Londons with respective magical abilities and conflicts, Kell hides his secret smuggling activities only to be set up with a forbidden object from a dark dimension. By the author of The Near Witch.

A Darker Shade of Magic

Abigail F

Purity without balance is its own corruption.

Most people only know one London; but what if there were several? Kell is one of the last Travelers - magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel Londons. There's Grey London, dirty and crowded and without magic, home to the mad king George III. There's Red London, where life and magic are revered. Then, White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. But once upon a time, there was Black London.

Stephanie 

And in the sliver of time after the metal pierced his body, and before he fell, it wasn’t anger or pain that crossed his face. 

Find someone who’s as passionately about you as Lila is about weapons 🫶🏼

“For hitting,” explained Lila, as if Kell couldn’t grasp the meaning of the metal knuckles. “You can stab them, or you can knock their teeth out. Or you can do both.” She touched the tip of the blade with her finger. “Not at the same time, of course.”

And for the first time, Kell saw Lila. Not as she wanted to be, but as she was. 

A frightened, albeit clever, girl trying desperately to stay alive. One who had likely frozen and starved and fought—and almost certainly killed—to hold on to some semblance of a life, guarding it like a candle in a harsh wind.

“I’m a possession. A trinket. So you see, I grew up in the palace, but it is not my home. I was raised by the royals, but they are not my family, not by blood. I have worth to them and so they keep me, but that is not the same as belonging.”

“I’m not going to die,” she said. “Not till I’ve seen it.” 

Lila is such a special character 🤌🏼

“I’m not afraid of dying. But I am afraid of dying here.” She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city. 

“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

It seemed like a good plan, or at least, like the best of several bad ones.

This makes me want to start wearing hats to be able to pull that line with a dramatic gesture. 

“I don’t like that look,” said Barron when she didn’t come inside. 

It keeps looking till it finds you. Might as well find it first.

A respectable prison is still a prison, thought Kell

One of the few opening lines that live in my head rent free. 

It had neither one side, which would be conventional, nor two, which would be unexpected, but several, which was, of course, impossible.

Rowynn

Rebecca

 "I’ld rather die on an adventure than live standing still" 

Kate

Brandon Liew

Most people only know one London; but what if there were several? Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel Londons. There’s Grey London, dirty and crowded and without magic, home to the mad king George III. There’s Red London, where life and magic are revered. Then, White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. But once upon a time, there was Black London...

Megan Lapides

Monicap

So. I read this book as Audio.

Didn't really like it. 

The narrator was just awful--his voice for Lila was the ABSOLUTE WORST. I mean, it took me three months to listen to this 12-hour audiobook. It was bad.

But that begs the question, would I have enjoyed this more if I had read it?

I mean, probably at least a little... but the reason I wanted to listen to this as an audio, is because I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. It just doesn't really have a very intriguing concept. 

Everyone says this book is so original, but I don't see it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd been younger, because I used to read a lot more fantasy like this when I was younger. But I also think that it's because I read so much similar fantasy when I was younger that stole the novelty of this book that everyone sees. 

So, yeah. Not my favorite ever. 

Mind you, it's not a BAD book. It's a BAD audiobook, but it's not a bad book.

Nova

i loved this So Much. the characters are wonderful and lovable in their flawed ways, the writing captured me instantly and makes plot flow so beautifully. the idea is also really fresh! i loved everything so so much

Amala

Absolutely incredible. The world-building and character development in this book is unrivalled - I hesitated to read this for a long time, I couldn’t tell you why, but now that I have I can’t believe it took me so long. I have to admire V.E. Schwab for inventing one of the more original fantasies that I’ve come across. The elements of otherworldliness, dark magic, and a hint of pirates and thievery made this an incredible adventure from start to finish. It took me a while to get through, but this book was a delight to come home to at the end of everyday. I absolutely can’t wait to dive into the next book and meet with Kell and Lila again. 

How could I give this anything but 5 stars? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

envee

brie

I have to say, this book completely surpassed my expectations! The whole concept of the book was really good so much so that it had me absolutely hooked and strolling through it like 


From the brilliant idea of four different Londons each with its own characteristics that successfully set them apart and each with its own cultures, variety of people or characters to the wonderful architecture.
Now characters oh my ! Kell, Kell, Kell, Kell. 

Mmm I just want to say that boy could cast a spell on me any . time. of . the . day. Although i thought he tended to be whiny sometimes because (the whole i am not a royal but i belong to the royal family thing ) just annoyed me . 

Like suck it up and slay that shit already.
Besides his flaws, he was a pretty clever protagonist and he had a little bit of depth i suppose.

 Lila. She was one feisty girl that’s for sure. I loved her personality, her background (the little that was revealed at least), her strength, her endurance and i could go on and on because who does not love strong female characters who can take care of themselves and don’t need no man to slay? 


I actually felt a connection with almost all the characters and their peculiar quirks and inventive background stories. I think the author did a great job of interconnecting the characters so there were no plot holes or moments of great confusion.
(One of my) Favorite moments: When they kissed so casually but not casually. i do not know if this is considered a spoiler but if it is, sorry.
 
The book was really well written and had a great pace. It also had great character development and world building. Furthermore, I loved the way certain moments of the story had me smiling in anticipation and excitement. But i thought the narrator was quite shitty at doing female voices especially Lila. It was hard to imagine her having such a high squeaked voice as the narrator did and i think he should have taken it down a notch because obviously she’s too cool to talk like that. I imagined her voice as more sleek, smooth, calm and definitely not high pitched .

I really enjoyed the book, which surprised me because it’s one of the books which have been really hyped this year . i guess the hype didn’t disappoint . I am most definitely going to read the next book .

Sunny

4.5 stars

I absolutely adore the world(s) and the magic is so cool! I like how it's worked with on such a face value level, like Kell knows exactly how it works so we don't get to see too much of the why it works, if that makes sense? It makes a nice change from the usual info dumps.
Also I'm p sure I don't need to go into how wonderful each and every character is. I even ADORE the Dane twins!! This was my first series by V.E. Schwab but I can assure you it won't be the last! ❤️

chloe rae

Incredible! What an adventure! Victoria Schwab is single-handedly writing some of the most kick-ass, unique characters I've EVER read. She is just STELLAR. This book is so goooood! I'm already digging into the next one!

Zahra

Mel 

I’m very very intrigued to see what happens next. 
I found the world to be very unique and interesting and the magic of the Antari even more so. Although I kind of wish the world was more fully developed. It felt very surface level to me. 
Kell felt like a lesser version of Kelsier from Mistborn to me but I still liked him best between Rhy and Lila. I kind of have a love-hate relationship with Lila. I found her really annoying and pretentious for the most part but I started to like her by the end. Rhy was okay. I wish we knew more about Astrid/Athos as well. 
It was a solid first book but it was just missing something.

“As Travars.”
---------------------------------

Years ago, I found this book (or more like this book found me) at a very key moment of my life. I was flirting at the edge of a heavy depression and just wanted a break from everything around me. And then came Lila, with Kell and Rhys and Alucard, and I was swept away to Schwab’s magical Londons on a fantastic adventure. It was truly a beacon of light through a dark moment of my life, and for this Shades of Magic will ALWAYS have a very special place in my heart.

However, it has been years since I last read it and I was quite nervous about whether it would hold up to the test of time in my eyes. Since then, I have read a lot of fantasy books (although this was more or less my gateway to that genre and so was always a benchmark in my eyes). Fantasy, especially YA fantasy, has become such a predictable formula lately that I was afraid that ADSoM would become just another book in the vast ocean of fantasies in my disillusion.

I am wholeheartedly glad and greatly relieved to find out that the magic of this book still glows strong for me after all these years. I am in love with this world, these characters, and this adventure. 

It is forever my comfort book and my safest escape.

”I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

A Darker Shade of Magic, the first book in V.E. Schwab's New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy, is now available in a special collector's edition. With a revamped, metallic ink detailed cover and reading ribbon, this edition will also feature the following bonus material: *End papers featuring fan art *A glossary of Arnesian and Antari terms *An interview between author and editor *Original (never before seen!) tales from within the Shades of Magic world *Signed title page "A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy...a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure." —Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive. Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light

A Novel

A Darker Shade of Magic Collector's Edition

Ryan 

4.5 stars

there is nothing like it, i will never get over schwab's prose, one of the best writing i've read this year

Tatiana

A Darker Shade of Magic: 4/5


  “I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

It is no secret that I am a massive fan of V.E. Schwab. After over a year of this book staring at me from my bookshelf, I have FINALLY picked it up, and I am so glad I did.

Premise:
A Darker Shade of Magic takes place in London in the early 1800s, but there's a twist. This isn't the only London. The reader is met with four different Londons in different planes of existence, each with a varying degree of magical existence. Magical travel between these Londons is restricted, with the one exception of blood magicians known as Travellers. Here, we meet our protagonist named Kell, who acts as a messenger between London governments and a secret smuggler. 

Enter Lila Bard, a thief of Grey London. Her life becomes intertwined with Kell's when he accidentally reawakens secret dark magic that has been dormant for years. As this magic threatens to take over, Kell and Lila embark on a journey to save their universe.


  “Bad magic, Kell had called it.
No, thought Lila now. Clever magic.
And clever was more dangerous than bad any day of the week.”

Writing & Plot:
I am always astounded at how V.E. Schwab can paint a complex setting into something entirely believable. Although the plot may seem complicated, this is an excellent book for those looking to branch out into adult fantasy. The writing is easily approachable and relatively easy to understand and digest. I am such a fan of V.E. Schwab's writing, so this comes as no surprise. 

The plot is pretty straightforward, with its own twists and turns. There was consistent pacing throughout, but at some points, the story was predictable and mundane. Overall, it is a good story with a great plot, but it didn't entirely cross the border into excellence.


  “I'm not going to die," she said. "Not till I've seen it."
"Seen what?"
Her smile widened. "Everything.”

Characters:
I am always captivated by Schwab's characters no matter what book, and this is no exception. Her characters leap off the page and are some of the most dynamic characters I've ever read. Kell is badass, and you cannot help but root for him. From page one, the reader can't help but love him.

Enter Lila Bard. I'm in love. She is dirty, mean, funny, witty; she is everything. I am obsessed with Lila Bard, and I cannot wait for her in the following books. I feel like I can't accurately describe her because she is so great. I feel her down into my soul, and she speaks to me. Lila encapsulates who I am as a human being. She is the morally grey protagonist I've been waiting for my whole life.

Besides our protagonists, we are met with incredible villains as well. Each is so unique and so well written I was scared of what would happen to our protagonists. Overall, V.E Schwab knows how to write insane characters who leap off the page and live rent-free in your brain.

Conclusion:
I loved this book. It is a solid start to a great fantasy series, and I am excited to see what happens next. I genuinely do not know why I put this book off for so long. It is incredible, and I recommend it to anybody who likes fantasy... or even if you don't like fantasy. This book may change your mind.

Janice

Although the story took quite a long time to get going, it was quite enjoyable when it finally got going.

azliana aziz

Kendall Lobdell

It picked up at the end but the beginning was a little hard to keep track of all of the characters. I always love how this author ends books but not how she starts them. However it was engaging once the writing picked up

Lauren Dale

marta 

me gustó el libro pero me falto esa conexión con los personajes. 

Literalmente muere mi personaje favorito y no solté ni una lágrima, no sé si el problema es la forma de escribir de la autora o es que no conecte con los personajes tanto como yo creía.

Igualmente la historia es entretenida y me gusto <3

Daymaris Arca

I wanted to finish for the New Years but that obvi didn’t happen… LOVED THE BOOK THO THE CHARACTERS AND THE PLOT 🤌
So excited for the next two. It better not disappoint.

Denaiir

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book but the pacing was a bit uneven. Whenever there was more action I got interested, but then it would go back to another slow section and I would lose interest again. It took me quite a long time to read it, which for me really shows that I was not really into it. 
I didn't like Lila at all at first but by the end she was by far my favorite characters, since she is the one who has more of a personality. The other characters were a bit bland.
I hope that the second book grabs my interest more, but I think the world is original and am willing to continue with the series.

Q&D- slow start that didn’t feel to bad because of short chapters and great world building. The ending felt a bit underwhelming. Will continue reading the series. 

Giorgia

I finally read this book and it did not disappoint. I loved the characters, Kell and Lila of course but also Holland, I cannot explain why or how but I liked him a lot. Lila Bard has quickly become one of my favourite characters out there and Kell, well, he's definitely an interesting individual ;)
The world building is fantastic, I was able to imagine every London and their colours and shades. I enjoyed the writing a lot, it felt like reading a movie, if you know what I mean.
The thing is, I read this pretty fast for my standards and most of the times I couldn't put down the book because I wanted to know what was going on and that's enough for me to consider it a 5 star reading 🫶🏼

I thought the story was super compelling and fast paced! I loved the characters, too. 

Helen J

I really enjoyed listening to this and plan to continue on with the series. I think V.E. Schwab does a great job with world building and creating characters that i connect with but whenever I finish one of her books I can’t help but feel it was missing just a little something, an spark that would take it from being very good to excellent. 

Kari Oanes

Amy Place

A cross between Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials, perhaps? I thought it was neat. Might continue the series. Could change to 4 stars if the next books are great.

A Darker Shade of Magic

Reviews

Highlights