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A review by grrr8_catsby
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I originally picked up A Darker Shade Of Magic back in 2021, where it has sat on my bookshelf, unread. There is no real reason for this, there were just other worlds to explore; a quick romp through Middle Earth, a 14 month long journey through The Wheel Of Time, and occasionally checking in on the adventures of Geralt of Rivia. The Cosmere looms, but what better time to check out the multiverse of Shards Of Magic?
One of the aspects I have enjoyed most about V. E. Schwab's works is her accessibility; her books have the accessibility of YA fantasy, but the maturity of adult literature. Admittedly, there are times where the maturity of the characters or the decisions the characters make blur the line between adult and YA fantasy, but these feel few and far between.
I am tired of the multiverse; luckily, the nature of the "4 Londons" deviates from the usual "quirky adventures in alternate dimensions" that permeates entertainment in the current day. All 4 Londons (Red London, White London, Gray London, and Black London) are 4 unique locations, and exist as more than just a derivative of "the main world".
As with most lore-heavy books, the first 100 pages can be rough to get through as you come to understand the rich history of the world and the rules as to how it works. We are rewarded, however, with a protagonist who has his full set of powers (there is a gross oversaturation of characters discovering that they have untapped potential in magic and superhuman abilities in literature). The magic system, although not covered in exquisite detail, feels unique, although some fleeting comparisons can be made to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Being the first of three entries, A Darker Shade Of Magic doesn't leave on a cliffhanger, although there is still a lot of cleaning up to do at the conclusion of the book. Will the magic continue in the sequel, or will the magic have overstayed its welcome?
One of the aspects I have enjoyed most about V. E. Schwab's works is her accessibility; her books have the accessibility of YA fantasy, but the maturity of adult literature. Admittedly, there are times where the maturity of the characters or the decisions the characters make blur the line between adult and YA fantasy, but these feel few and far between.
I am tired of the multiverse; luckily, the nature of the "4 Londons" deviates from the usual "quirky adventures in alternate dimensions" that permeates entertainment in the current day. All 4 Londons (Red London, White London, Gray London, and Black London) are 4 unique locations, and exist as more than just a derivative of "the main world".
As with most lore-heavy books, the first 100 pages can be rough to get through as you come to understand the rich history of the world and the rules as to how it works. We are rewarded, however, with a protagonist who has his full set of powers (there is a gross oversaturation of characters discovering that they have untapped potential in magic and superhuman abilities in literature). The magic system, although not covered in exquisite detail, feels unique, although some fleeting comparisons can be made to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Being the first of three entries, A Darker Shade Of Magic doesn't leave on a cliffhanger, although there is still a lot of cleaning up to do at the conclusion of the book. Will the magic continue in the sequel, or will the magic have overstayed its welcome?