Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Book #1 of Shades of Magic
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Publication: February 2015 by Tor Books
Acquisition: bought

Synopsis:

Kell is one of the last Antari, a rare magician who can travel between parallel worlds: hopping from Grey London — dirty, boring, lacking magic, and ruled by mad King George — to Red London — where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire — to White London — ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne, where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back — and back, but never Black London, because traveling to Black London is forbidden and no one speaks of it now.

Officially, Kell is the personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see, and it is this dangerous hobby that 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 take her with him for her proper adventure.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save both his London and the others, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — a feat trickier than they hoped.

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

It's been a very long time since I've read a book that I've loved as much as I love this book.

It's good.

Seriously good.

Fabulously, tremendously good.

Schwab knows how to tell a story. I mean, I knew that already. But OMG was I blown away by A Darker Shade of Magic.

Every character, every setting, every little detail, every big detail - EVERYTHING was perfect.

I grew up with fantasy. Sweeping, epic fantasy stories passed down to me by my parents. ADSOM 100% reminds me of these stories I read and loved when I was younger.

Complete and full and timeless.

I sometimes have a hard time putting myself in a different worlds within the same story but that didn't happen here. Gray, Red, White, Black - it was all so easy to envision.

And man, did I wish I could visit Red London. It's got magic, and Kell and secrets and Kell and mystery and did I mention Kell lives there?

Since finishing ADSOM (oh, and a big thank you to whoever popularized this acronym - makes it so much easier to gush over talk about via Twitter and the like ;)

What was I saying? Oh yes - since finishing ADSOM I've been recommending it to just about everyone. Friends, family, strangers - no one is safe from my tremendous love for this book!!

So, have you read it yet? ;)

(btw - book 2? Also ridiculously fabulous!)

On My Reader (21) - August 18, 2012

On My Reader posts are were I highlight recent ebooks I've added to my digital collection :)

Some NetGalley love :)

Links are to Goodreads

Fog: Fog, Snow, and Fire (Book One) by Caroline B. Cooney

August 7, 2012 from Open Road Young Readers

This e-book has an illustrated biography documents from Cooney's personal collection.

I'm pretty sure I read Fire as a teen but I didn't know it was part of a series. Very interested to get this bind up read!

The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan

August 28, 2012 from Open Road Young Readers

This one also has an illustrated biography and personal documents.

I don't think I read this one as a teen but I do love Lois Duncan!

The Archived - SNEAK PEEK by Victoria Schwab

January 22, 2013 from Disney-Hyperion

Disney doesn't approve bloggers for their NetGalley reads but they made an exception with this sample. 

I loved Victoria's first book and I can't wait to see what this one is all about.

It's currently a READ NOW so anyone with a NetGalley account can get it!

Warehouse 13 Vol 1 Graphic Novel by Ben Morse

July 10, 2012 from Dynamite Entertainment

OMG I love this show! Written by the writers of Warehouse 13, I'm pretty sure this volume contains 5 issues of the comic book series. What I do know is that I'm reading this one today!

Strawberry Shortcake Digest: Field Day and Other Stories by Georgia Ball

November 6, 2012 from Ape Entertainment

A graphic novel for kids - I'm going to read this one with my daughter :)

So, what's on your e-readers?

On My Reader (16) - June 16, 2012

On My Reader posts are were I highlight recent ebooks I've added to my digital collection :)

This week I found a bunch of pretty cool online short stories. You can buy 2 of them for Kindle or iBooks for $.99 or you can read them for free - I've included both links.

The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab

The story of Cole before he came to Near

Goodreads / Read it

The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

A companion story to Shadow and Bone

Goodreads / Read it / Buy it

Legacy Lost by Anna Banks

A prequel story to Of Poseidon

Goodreads / Read it / Buy it

So, what's on your reader?

Book Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

***2011 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 282
Series: no?
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. (from Goodreads)

I was:...lost for words

My thoughts:
Love love love this book! <--- See those words? Those were the only words I managed to write directly after finishing The Near Witch. I was so overcome with how much I was enchanted by this story that I literally could not type any other words!

After composing myself, I really hope I can do this book justice because it really was one of my favorite reads of 2011. It fits into a couple of different categories, for me at least.

It's a fantasy - not quite sure where or when the people in this story exist but at the same time, it doesn't matter. What happens to them and what they do about it - that matters.

It's also, at least for the time being, a stand alone novel. If Victoria ever does write more about Lexi and her world I'm sure to read it - but - not for the sake of the story. I'll be reading it because I want more - crave it in fact!

It's also a love story. A truly sweet and heartwarming and love-as-it-should-be, love story. There really shouldn't be any other type in my opinion.

Final verdict:
The Near Witch is a book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to just about everyone I know that likes to read. Even if you don't love fantasy - you'll probably love The Near Witch. Even if (you think ;) YA really isn't your thing - you'll love this story. It's the perfect package!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound