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A review by remilauren
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
5.0
Several times I'd started this book, only to read on Kell explaining Antari magic, get freaked out at the possibly over complicated story line and stop. I finally summoned my strength and boy was I in for a lovely surprise!
The world building is insane, each world speaks a different language. They deal with magic differently consequently affecting their world. Grey London having forgotten its magic is dull and unchanging. Red London thrumming with magic is ever changing. White London tried controlling magic and now starves and kills for it. Black London welcomed its doom with open arms when it allowed magic to control it.
Only the Antari can navigate between the four worlds. We follow one such Antari, Kell from Red London. Kell has been brought up in the Royal Family and initially seems like an ungrateful jerk who willingly ventures into trouble. But as the story progresses, I came to understand him, empathise with him and kept rooting for him like I would a friend. Kell is devoted to the ones he loves and protects them with his life (literally even!) and is very quick witted in combat.
Along with Kell, we also follow Lila, a Grey Worlder. While not magically inclined (yet?) she's skilled with knives and is an amazingly fast learner. Lila initially feels like a basic YA protagonist - considered less feminine, wants adventure, kills casually, annoys the male protagonist and you! But she grew on me. She's clever and even in unknown worlds knows how to keep herself alive!
Together Kell and Lila are a perfect team. They watch each other's backs, when one falls, the other always comes to the rescue. They are both protagonists in their own right, neither is deigned to just be some love interest. Love, that's another sensation that seemed to lurk beneath their interactions. They were strangers few days ago, magic took them on a wild journey and now they care for each other deeply.
******SPOILERS******
Moments I reacted strongly to -
1. Hearing the Black London thing speak in Antari and spread through people
2. Absolute madness that was the fight with Dane Twins
3. Kell saving Rhy with a soul seal
4. The moment the darkness was dispelled
5. The callback to the kiss for luck scene
6. The sickening truth that Kell was right after all. He's not a member but a possession. The Crown and with it the people easily turned on him :(
I loveeed this book. Can't wait to read what happens after all this, what paths these characters end up on. And I hope we get more Kell and Lila moments...
The world building is insane, each world speaks a different language. They deal with magic differently consequently affecting their world. Grey London having forgotten its magic is dull and unchanging. Red London thrumming with magic is ever changing. White London tried controlling magic and now starves and kills for it. Black London welcomed its doom with open arms when it allowed magic to control it.
Only the Antari can navigate between the four worlds. We follow one such Antari, Kell from Red London. Kell has been brought up in the Royal Family and initially seems like an ungrateful jerk who willingly ventures into trouble. But as the story progresses, I came to understand him, empathise with him and kept rooting for him like I would a friend. Kell is devoted to the ones he loves and protects them with his life (literally even!) and is very quick witted in combat.
Along with Kell, we also follow Lila, a Grey Worlder. While not magically inclined (yet?) she's skilled with knives and is an amazingly fast learner. Lila initially feels like a basic YA protagonist - considered less feminine, wants adventure, kills casually, annoys the male protagonist and you! But she grew on me. She's clever and even in unknown worlds knows how to keep herself alive!
Together Kell and Lila are a perfect team. They watch each other's backs, when one falls, the other always comes to the rescue. They are both protagonists in their own right, neither is deigned to just be some love interest. Love, that's another sensation that seemed to lurk beneath their interactions. They were strangers few days ago, magic took them on a wild journey and now they care for each other deeply.
******SPOILERS******
Moments I reacted strongly to -
1. Hearing the Black London thing speak in Antari and spread through people
2. Absolute madness that was the fight with Dane Twins
3. Kell saving Rhy with a soul seal
4. The moment the darkness was dispelled
5. The callback to the kiss for luck scene
6. The sickening truth that Kell was right after all. He's not a member but a possession. The Crown and with it the people easily turned on him :(
I loveeed this book. Can't wait to read what happens after all this, what paths these characters end up on. And I hope we get more Kell and Lila moments...