A Darker Shade of Magic

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Schwab, Victoria	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Schwab, Victoria	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fantasy / Schwab, Victoria	4-week checkout	Due 04-18-2024

"A Tom Doherty Associates book."
"From V.E. Schwab, the critically acclaimed author of Vicious, comes a new universe of daring adventure, thrilling power, and parallel Londons, beginning with A Darker Shade of Magic. Kell is one of the last Travelers--magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes--as such, he can choose where he lands. There's Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there's Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne--a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, 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 the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see--a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a 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--and that is proving trickier than they hoped. "-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

LOVED THIS BOOK submitted by jdev13 on August 17, 2016, 2:16pm This book was absolutely stunning. It had exactly the right mix of adventure, character, sarcasm, excitement, and superb writing! The character development was incredible and the story kept me on my toes the entire time. I stayed up for hours until I finished this book, and then I devoured the sequel. It's even better!

4/5 would read again submitted by ubergeek on July 22, 2017, 11:55pm While it took some time to properly introduce the setting and characters, by the second act the story finally started to develop, and more than made up for the slow first act. If you're interested in historical fiction, magic, or interdimensional travel, I can't recommend enough

Solid fantasy submitted by krleng on June 15, 2019, 12:39pm Coming from someone who has read quite a bit of fantasy (the good and the garbage), this was a very solid fantasy book and series. The first in the trilogy, A Darker Shade of Magic, has an engaging plot, a unique and creative lore involving four different worlds each containing its own London, and a set of characters you learn to both love and hate including the magically gifted Kell from 'Red' London and the delightfully abrasive pickpocket Lila from 'Grey' London (our London circa 1819). It has been likened to works by Neil Gaiman (one of my favorites), and while I wouldn't say it ranks nearly as high as a Gaiman novel, it is still an enjoyable read, which I finished in a couple of days. It is good as a standalone, but if you're like me, you'll read all three (tip-request them all at once). Schwab does an excellent job at progressing the plot and characters, making A Darker Shade of Magic a very nicely done trilogy with just the right amount of satisfaction and just a hint of...maybe there will be more (spoiler-there will be! Another trilogy is slated to be released in the next year or two). Very good for adults and teens with minimal language, sex, and violence. I enjoyed it at 30 and would have enjoyed it at 13.

Okay submitted by zmclaugh on July 8, 2019, 7:26pm Not particularly gripping, but bonus points for an interesting world.

Magical Fantasy submitted by me11yagn on August 26, 2019, 6:30pm This book had a great combination of adventure, fantasy, and magic. It was fascinating and fun to visualize the functions of this fictional world. Fans of fantasy would love this book.

Does Everything Fantasy Should Do submitted by Princess Cimorene on July 19, 2020, 12:51pm This is a fast read because the story swallows you up and transports you to multiple worlds. The main characters are, for the most part, believable and likable, the action is swift and well-written, and the magic is well-conceived. I can't wait to read the next book, but I also found the ending satisfying on its own.

A little slow to start but once it takes off it's so fun submitted by jaromatorio on July 24, 2020, 11:57am This is a super fun, exciting magical adventure! Though it took a little while to get going, once I got into it I couldn't put it down!

je l'ai aimé lol c'était bien sa vie mais pourtant bien submitted by angie. on July 30, 2021, 2:58pm je l'ai aimé lol c'était bien sa vie mais pourtant bien

Amazing Series submitted by KimTheGray on July 26, 2022, 7:59pm Emotional, tragic, thought-provoking, full of heart. Everything Schwab writes is such a journey to read. A fantastic beginning to the Shades of Magic series.

Great Fantasy Series submitted by bookasaurusray on July 27, 2022, 10:45pm I love this series and this book. I love that the setting itself feels like a character. And the first line... Kell and his peculiar coat. OBSESSED

One of the best fantasy series of modern times submitted by clk.9123 on August 22, 2022, 7:42pm V.E. Schwab is a true treasure in the world of fantasy, she weaves a fascinating trilogy that will leave you begging for more. The worlds depicted in these books are endlessly fascinating, and the build out of this story is one of the best I have ever read - across genres.