A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2)

by V.E. Schwab

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: —> 4.5 stars !

04/02/19

Erm... about those .5 stars taken off... Some parts of the plot just... frustrated me SO much- but believe me, everything else makes up for it :-)

That said, I made an update to my review a few days ago (March 30th, 2019), because it was previously a non review- a RTC with extra words haha, which drove me nuts. And TODAY (April 2nd, 2019), I have made sm’mr additions! enjoyz!

So; THE ACTUAL NOVEL

I’ve not shied away from expressing repeatedly in my updates that this novel is all kinds of
Incredible !
Fantastic!
Wondrous!
Otherworldly Fantalicious!
Magicalicious (Series-Title-Status-CONFIRMATIONALICIOUS)!
Swoonalicious!
I’m feeling pretty sure you know my stance ;-)!

This has to be one of my favorite series of all time; honestly, & this baby (book 2-Just clarifying) had me HOOKED.

It had me dancing in the street, guys; it’s just the bees knees.

Sigh. Just so vivid & lush & fresh & dark & fantastical & witty & snarky & full of love & redemption & everything I love in a novel. Schwab’s writing itself is equally as beautiful as the story as a whole. The timing was impeccable (she really does love to torture us, guys) in relation to events as well as her beautiful world building & character development.

( Just FYI- IMO this was more a NA read rather than YA... and the first book may be a slow burn for hardcore YA readers. I say give it another chance though ! Once you actually fall in, everything is just wild. The pages come alive. It’s so very good, and this follow up is even better.
Even so, I do think the majority of YA fantasy lovers will like/love/run away with this. For those who don’t, maybe try a re-read ? Am I pushing too hard? Haha I’m sorry I just I can’t even imagine not like/love/ wanting to run away with this entire series. But; to each their own !