This is actually the second book in the Shades of Magic series. I will be bringing up plot points and other things that reveal the ending of the first book (otherwise know as spoilers) in the course of this review. So, if you're thinking about reading, but have yet to read A Darker Shade of Magic, check out my review and then check out the book.
In the previous book, we met Kell, his foster brother Rhy and Delilah (Lila) Bard. These three work together (sort of) to keep the blackest of magics from over-taking Red London. To do so, they had to take down Astrid and Athos Dane, the twins that ruled White London. Kell also had to deal with fellow Antari, Holland, by forcing him near dead into Black London. Something Kell knew to be certain death for Holland. In the middle of all the fighting, Rhy, Prince and only heir to the crown, is mortally wounded. Only through magic that binds Kell's life to Rhy's saves him but, at a cost. Both must live for either to survive.
The story picks up a few months after all the events of the first book with Lila doing what she does best: pushing the boundaries of this exotic new world in order to get what she wants. Scheming and conniving towards her ultimate goal of owning her own ship even though she know practically nothing about sailing. Lila's story is what we can expect from this book. It's chief focus seems to be the growth of the main characters and the introduction of a few more. It's all very well done and really brings us deeper into the lives of these characters.
That said, there is also a great deal of action in this book as well. This is story is very well balanced between action and exposition. The best part to me was it didn't treat the first book like a formula to be repeated. This is a continuation of a story rather than a new version of the old story.
A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab is an entertaining follow-on to the first book. There are some mature situations and quite a bit of violence but none that are overly graphic. That all earns it a PG13 rating from me.
In the previous book, we met Kell, his foster brother Rhy and Delilah (Lila) Bard. These three work together (sort of) to keep the blackest of magics from over-taking Red London. To do so, they had to take down Astrid and Athos Dane, the twins that ruled White London. Kell also had to deal with fellow Antari, Holland, by forcing him near dead into Black London. Something Kell knew to be certain death for Holland. In the middle of all the fighting, Rhy, Prince and only heir to the crown, is mortally wounded. Only through magic that binds Kell's life to Rhy's saves him but, at a cost. Both must live for either to survive.
The story picks up a few months after all the events of the first book with Lila doing what she does best: pushing the boundaries of this exotic new world in order to get what she wants. Scheming and conniving towards her ultimate goal of owning her own ship even though she know practically nothing about sailing. Lila's story is what we can expect from this book. It's chief focus seems to be the growth of the main characters and the introduction of a few more. It's all very well done and really brings us deeper into the lives of these characters.
That said, there is also a great deal of action in this book as well. This is story is very well balanced between action and exposition. The best part to me was it didn't treat the first book like a formula to be repeated. This is a continuation of a story rather than a new version of the old story.
A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab is an entertaining follow-on to the first book. There are some mature situations and quite a bit of violence but none that are overly graphic. That all earns it a PG13 rating from me.
