A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

by V.E. Schwab

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...

• ISBN10: 1783295414
• ISBN13: 9781783295418
• Publish Date: 3 March 2015 (first published 1 January 2015)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Titan Books (UK)
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 488
• Language: English

Reviews

[wyvernfriend]

I found it an interesting read.

Once upon a time there were four Londons, Black London, Grey London, White London and Red London and people could travel between then, then Black London imploded and in order to stop the others following the routes between were restricted. Kell is one of the people who can travel between, he knows only one other who can, Holland who works for White London. Kell works for Red London, where magic is revered and where he is half-slave, half-family to the ruling family. Grey London has no magic; white London, people fight to control the magic and where abuse of people thought lesser is rife.

I want Kell's coat...

[Nicole Lynn]

Loved this book! Review to come :)

[ross91]

Once again, I gave this book 4 solid stars.
Cool world(s) building, cool story, cool characters even though they need to be a little bit more developed. I think we'll see plenty of that in the second book!

[Artemis]

Reviews at The Artemis Reader

I was genuinely surprised by this book. I hate the “mega-hype” that accompanies books because I often feel let down by the glowing reviews. It follows a lot of first book standards such as spending time to build the worlds, and give small insights into the characters but not too much that would hinder development in the later books.

Writing. This is the first book by Victoria Schwab I have ever read. I came across it via a friend who is a fan of the publishing company, Tor. I have to say I’m impressed with her writing style. However, if you don’t enjoy 200+ pages of description, world building, character building/background, and slight plot developments before you get to any action then I don’t think you will be fan of Schwab’s series.

It took almost too long for things to really get going but once the action started it didn’t stop. I read the book over the course of 3-4 days and once I got past the first third I found it hard to stop and go about my planned weekend activities. Schwab reminded me of old-fashioned fantasy novelists – very slow to start, but really ramps up in the later half of the book.

Setting. I loved the world building – Grey, Red, White and Black London. The idea that London happened to appear in all four worlds in ways that were similar and yet wildly different and reflective of the universe’s they inhabited was pretty unique in terms of other books/series I’ve read where parallel universe exist. I was only mildly upset that Black London was talked about several times but wasn’t a location we ever got to see (yet). I felt like the blurb was misleading in this aspect the most because when I read it I definitely thought Lila was going to force Kell to take her there. Which I mean, I guess she kind of did but not really. More on that below.

Characters. I found most of the characters interesting, but also noticed a lot of character cliches. Lila was probably the worst of the worst for me in this series. She’s an incredibly flat character – a thief, a “pirate”, has a strong potential for magic. But everything about her felt so dull, I wasn’t interested in what had hardened her to this lifestyle and felt no sympathy for anything. I do think she is a great foil for Kell, but honestly had no interest in seeing her story line furthered. I really loved the whole dynamic between Kell and Holland, Holland and the Danes twins, and really just Holland on his own. I felt those relationship dynamics were really interesting.

Cons. The blurb for this book is very misleading. I felt the way events played out was very different than how they were mentioned in the blurb, which was both good and bad. First – we don’t actually ever get to Black London. At around 100-pages left it becomes clear that Black London, while talked about, will not make any kind of physical appearance in this installment and I was disappointed. Also I expected Lila to actually, and this might be a stretch, DO SOMETHING that forces Kell to take her along. I never got the impression that Lila forces Kell, instead he resigns himself to taking her along.

Other Notes. I want to know more about where Kell came from, I suspect he’s originally from Black London. Lila’s powers are definitely going to be Antari related – based on the fact that a Traveler has never thought to bring someone with them and the glass eye. The black possession needed to be fleshed out more. That side story wasn’t developed enough to be included and often confusing. Also if Astrid had the second half of the stone and her brother had the first, how did she lose such a powerful item? Seriously?? I don’t think she would accidentally misplace something like that.

SHADOWS. The group that stole Rhy as a child. Definitely want to see more of this group in the second book, and I’m hoping the title (A Gathering of Shadows) is the main focus. Also would like to see Black London!

A Darker Shade of Magic falls into a lot of “first book syndrome” problems, but I have high hopes the second book will provide more character development and a bit of a faster paced story with more information on the Shadows, Kell, and Antari magic. I’m hoping the only waiting I’ll have to do is in regards to the mailing of A Gathering of Shadows and not 200+ pages before things get interesting.

[Chelsea]

Real Rating: 3.5

Quick Thoughts:
1. I feel like this was a very well written book, I just found I couldn't stay interested.
2. I didn't really connect with the characters (there were only really two) and that made it hard to read. I really did like Kell but not so much Lila. There were also some really random POVs that I found hard to transition to. I wish we could have seen more of Holland and the twins.
3. I think it might have been the plot that couldn't keep my interest. Just when we would come across an actual interesting character, they would die. It was also kind of slow at times with no real action happening until the end of the book.
4. This book ended in a very satisfying way that makes it seem like there's no sequel happening. The problem was solved and everyone lives happily ever after. There's nothing hooking me in to reading the next book at all.
5. I am a little disappointed because everyone seems to rave about this book and they always give such good reasons. It's an excellent book, it's just not one for me. I followed the trends a little too much and I was bored a lot of the time reading this.

[inlibrisveritas]

4.5 Stars

As someone who adores reading fantasy novels as often as possible it’s always hard to find truly unique and standout stories, and A Darker Shade of Magic is one of those rare gems.

Schwab doesn’t stop at just giving us one vivid and detailed world, instead she gives us three. Grey London, Red London, and White London…a interesting multi-verse like arrangement linked by magic and doors only usable by those like Kell. One of my favorite things about books with magic is the possibility of a new magic system and how the author handles the use of it, and I really love what Schwab did with this one. Magic is portrayed as something entirely different in each world, and it was interesting to see how those differences of perspective lead to different social standings and life styles. Then we also have special magical beings like Kell, who are naturally capable of more and can use magic in ways others only dream of. This combined with the excellent world building (in triplicate) made for a rather beautiful and rich storytelling experience that has truly been a highlight this year.

Then of course comes the actual characters. I fell in love with Kell almost immediately, I loved his quiet unassuming nature and his desire to be independent despite his importance to the royal family. I also like that despite all his power he never has the really desire to abuse it a way that would put him ahead of others. But the real fangirling began when Lila Bard entered the scene. This woman is witty, street smart, has sticky fingers, and is prone to violence. She wants freedom more than anything else, and while it does lead her headlong into danger she’s smart enough to know how to handle the consequences (even if it means running) and brave enough to face even unlikely odds when needed to. I loved these two together and their unlikely partnership truly makes the story. His well mannered calm and her hot headed selfishness were just perfect together because if there is anything I like more than a witty character it’s seeing others scramble to adjust to them.

Overall, I think this was a complete and total win. It has plenty of action, spine-chilling tension, and so many feels! I have no idea where the next book is going to go, but I’m beyond excited to find out.

[ellieroth]

Original de: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Si el año pasado hubiera podido hacer mi resumen de mejores lecturas, sin duda A Darker Shade of Magic habría estado en ella y en los lugares importantes.

Como soy muy olvidadiza, estuve armando listas y pequeños resúmenes de cada libro leído el año pasado y que no pude reseñar, para poder hacer la reseña más coherente. La cosa es que solo he puesto cuatro cosas en esa lista y todas ellas son fangirleo vergonzoso sobre este libro. En serio, la manera en la que el corazón me late y la sonrisa idiota nace NO ES NORMAL.

¿Qué tiene de especial? Te estarás preguntando. La respuesta es simple: TODO.

Para empezar la trama te deja completamente intrigado desde el inicio, me confundí un poquito al comenzar, no lo voy a negar, pero una vez que logras diferenciar los Londres, necesitaras leer más y más sobre cada uno. A pesar de estar en la sinopsis, durante unos capítulos tuve la idea que estos Londres eran ciudades vecinas, en realidad son mundos paralelos (!!!), explicados de una manera que... Schwab es una artista de la palabra. Haría lo que sea por tener su tipo de imaginación.

LILA BARD AKA MY BEAUTIFUL SINNAMON ROLL

Tanto Adelina como Lila podrían destruir el mundo y yo estaría ahí aplaudiéndoles, haciéndoles barra, en serio. Pienso en Lila y mi alma se regenera un poco, mi piel se limpia, tengo una pizca de fe en la humanidad...

Lila me recuerda mucho a los personajes de serie que adoraba de niña (Charmed, Xena, Rellic Hunter), ella es todo lo quiero en un personaje femenino, no es perfecta y eso es lo que me gusta más de ella, su brújula moral está un poco movida. Y, algunos podrían decir que es muy masculina. Yo siento que la parte femenina está cubierta por los hermanos Kell y Rhy.

PRINCE & PRINCE CINNAMON ROLL

Son. Demasiado. Adorables, a mi pobre bebe Rhy lo hicieron sufrir en este primer libro igual a pobre Kell, antari bebé.

Todos son mis bebes Y DEBEN SER PROTEGIDOS, estoy considerando seriamente adoptar dos niños para ponerle a una Lila Adelina Bard y al otro Kell Rhy o Rhy Kell, el problema es que me tendría que quedar con ellos.

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC

V.E. Schwab simplemente trajo una obra maestra de la fantasía con este libro, quizá para ti este exagerando, pero siento todo este amor por el libro en el kokoro. No solo son los personajes principales, es la historia, la estética, es los personajes secundarios, es los villanos malditos, son los escenarios y los pasados de los personajes y la magia. Oh, la magia.

Y tengo que parar aquí, respirar y prepararme para A Gathering of Shadows

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[jesstheaudiobookworm]

4 ★ Audiobook⎮Despite my hearty loathing the audiobook's narration, this is still a four-star story. This was almost everything I've ever wanted from a parallel universe story (and what I was hoping A Trial by Fire would be more like). I just wish there had been more time devoted to the world-building aspect of the story. I still feel like I only know the bare bones about each London. There is so much potential for story expansion that the sheer idea of it is overwhelming. I want to know more about Kell's backstory and see more of him in Lila's London. Oh, and I want to know more about Lila's backstory as well. It is for these reasons that I will be picking up the sequel pretty soon after its release.

Narration review: With all of that said, I don't think I can recommend this narrator. He's just okay for the most part, but his voice as "Lila" is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Actually, I can't stand how he voices any of the women. If choosing between the physical book and the audiobook, go with the physical book. ♣︎

[malberto]

Urban fantasy in an old city, kind of like Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere if written by Jim Butcher

[nannah]

Well

This ended up being my biggest disappointment of 2015.

I was really looking forward to reading this one (goes without saying), and the beginning had so much promise. Kell's multiple-sided coat had an old(ish)-fantasy charm that reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, and there was great atmosphere-building early on that seemed tangible and authentic.

That allure wore off as soon as the "pure magic stone" came into play.

After that things fell into one too many cliches. I get that every story is 5 or 100 other plots told in new ways, but this really started to sound less new and more stale really fast:

- emphasis on balancing magic and humanity

- "the damage this talisman could manage in the wrong hands. [. . .] His own skin sang for the talisman, thirsted for it, and that scared him more than anything. [. . .] No, the stone had to be destroyed. But how? It wasn't like other relics. It wasn't a thing to be tossed in a fire or crushed beneath an ax. [. . .] I have to take it back."

- the magic stone representing "bad" or "dangerous" magic

I also began to have a personal problem with Lila, the other main character. She's your standard Strong Female Character, the current fad attempt at Good Representation for Women, complete with the "I'm not like other girls" mindset and a dislike and disrespect for other women. Nearly every other girl in the book was put there to deserve Lila's scorn.

The other characters aren't much better (though Rhy stood out more than the rest; he's my favorite). They're largely one dimensional, on the page to propel the plot but serving no further purpose. Their changes and developments are explained through inner monologue, not experienced or shown.

A Darker Shade of Magic honestly seems like a long YA novel with cheesy dialogue, a (surprisingly) young MC, and an unoriginal plot.