Erin: A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab

Hi Everyone!

Today, I've got A Darker Shade of Magic to share with you! It's a new book by V.E. Schwab-otherwise known as Victoria Schwab!

From Goodreads:

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped. 

Erin's Thoughts:

I heard a lot of good things about A Darker Shade of Magic and so I looked forward to this book a lot! I'll start by saying that while Victoria Schwab also writes young adult (and middle grade, too, if anyone was wondering), A Darker Shade of Magic is actually an adult book! That said, it is a book that has a lot of YA crossover potential! While it most definitely is an adult book (tone-wise, pacing-wise), I feel like a lot of YA readers actually will enjoy this a lot!

I think I heard someone compare this book to Garth Nix's Sabriel series and as soon as I heard that, I thought, YES! That's exactly how I would describe the feel of this book.  Granted, it's been a long while since I've read Sabriel, but I really do think it's a good comparison.  It's got that same tone and same feel.

A Darker Shade of Magic is such a unique book! While the plot itself sort of reminds me of Lord of the Rings, the world building in the book was so amazing!  The different worlds that V.E. Schwab has created is so awesome and so vivid.  Though it's based in London, it's completely different and unique to that of what you'd expect.  The magic is very well done and different without being confusing.  I also just love the idea of these people that are able to travel between these parallel Londons.  I think it's such a beautiful concept and it really was done well!

Kell and Lila were awesome characters as well.  They are such different people that it's fun to see them interact together and I like that they compliment each other as well as their similarities and how they work together quite well.

Because I knew it was a series (a trilogy, I think), I had some expectations about the book that were completely overturned! I didn't expect the story arc to be what it was -- and while that's neither good or bad, I was pretty surprised.

And for those who are wondering, A Darker Shade of Magic has a pretty conclusive ending -- meaning, no cliffhangers!  If I hadn't known, I would have thought it was a standalone! Which is great because you're not completely dying, but also makes you seriously wonder what's going to happen in the sequels (I have an idea what they're going to be about!)

Rating:

A Darker Shade of Magic is a great fantasy book! There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this book and I really do think it is warranted.  I had such a fun time reading this and V.E. Schwab's writing is wonderful! I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this and I would recommend it to fans of Sabriel and Lord of the Rings (or other books like that!)

Erin @The Romance Bookie :)