A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural This is a book I will probably never forgive myself if I didn't review it. It was a perfect sequel to one of my favourite books ever - A Darker Shade of Magic. And I don't know if it's also too soon to tell you that Schwab does no wrong. I mean, it's literally impossible for her to do any wrong. She could write about someone stoning for ages and I highly suspect I would still love it. I'm actually pretty much certain that Schwab herself is a magician. Her writing is so compelling and magical. It's so enticing, that there wasn't a time I wouldn't pout as I put the book down because obligations. (read: school) |
It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift – back into Black London.
Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games – an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries – a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.
Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games – an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries – a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.
Truthfully, this book didn't start off fast paced. But you just have to put your faith in Schwab to entertain you with her words. At simply no point at all was this book a pain to get through, it's like every page was necessary and there's a force willing you to keep on turning those pages. With every page, things veered dangerously over the darker, more wicked side. Everything was timed perfectly to get you sitting at the edge of your seat in anticipation and even though it was only at the back where the pace starts picking up (read: shit goes down), complex character development and world building will get you hooked right up. The novel was just so detailed, so colourful, so mysterious, so unique; I think a new word in the English Language needs to be invented to describe it. Character development was simply fantastic in every single character, there's even new characters and don't I love them already; subtly inserting: Alucard. In the span of 500 pages, they feel to me as if they have really really grown so much - namely Lila.
Delilah Bard has officially climbed up to my favourite-female-characters-of-all-time list. After Lila, I finally manage to put to words my very own definition of bad ass which is sadly missing in many try-hard bad ass protagonists. Being bad ass isn't about killing as one pleases, knowing how to use knifes or making threats. That's just, well - superficial. Lila has ambitions; she fights for her freedom, she fights for what she wants, she dares to dream and she dares to achieve it. Nothing is stopping her. Damn, she is the bad ass I'm talking about. She may be reckless and crazy, but she is someone who knows what she wants. That bold streak in her, I just really love.
Needless to say, I loved the bromance, romance, plot too. Well, everything. I just love everything. Schwab just manages to write every aspect so intricately and weave them together seamlessly; she crafts such an original and magical story. I can't wait for the next book. I can't wait for Kell and Lila. The cliff-hanger is waiting. My expectations are waiting.
Delilah Bard has officially climbed up to my favourite-female-characters-of-all-time list. After Lila, I finally manage to put to words my very own definition of bad ass which is sadly missing in many try-hard bad ass protagonists. Being bad ass isn't about killing as one pleases, knowing how to use knifes or making threats. That's just, well - superficial. Lila has ambitions; she fights for her freedom, she fights for what she wants, she dares to dream and she dares to achieve it. Nothing is stopping her. Damn, she is the bad ass I'm talking about. She may be reckless and crazy, but she is someone who knows what she wants. That bold streak in her, I just really love.
Needless to say, I loved the bromance, romance, plot too. Well, everything. I just love everything. Schwab just manages to write every aspect so intricately and weave them together seamlessly; she crafts such an original and magical story. I can't wait for the next book. I can't wait for Kell and Lila. The cliff-hanger is waiting. My expectations are waiting.
“Oh yes, your relationship with Miss Bard is positively ordinary." |
I'm waiting.