A Darker Shade of Magic, written by V.E. Schwab, is an enthralling fantasy novel that takes readers on a journey through multiple parallel worlds. Set in a universe where four separate dimensions exist, each with their own unique characteristics and level of magic, the story follows the adventures of Kell, one of the last remaining Antari. Kell is a rare breed of magician capable of traveling between the different worlds, known as Londons. There is Grey London, a dull and mundane place without any magic, ruled by King George III.
Kell is a 21-year-old antari with a magical coat who grew up in Red London's royal palace. He is officially tasked with carrying royal letters across the magical borders, but smuggles items of interest on the side. Despite being raised as family by the royals he is not related to them by blood. He doesn't know who his real parents are, nor where he was born. Kell suspects his memories have been suppressed by a spell, marked by the rune for 'memory' just below the crook of his elbow. His personality can best be described as reserved, kind and loyal. All of them to a fault, though his wits have always saved him.
Her language evokes the atmosphere, her words propel the narrative, the diction and syntax so purposefully crafted that I felt transported immediately in the first chapter. Her language evokes the atmosphere, her words propel the narrative, the diction and syntax so purposefully crafted that I felt transported immediately in the first chapter.
There is Grey London, a dull and mundane place without any magic, ruled by King George III. Red London is a vibrant city brimming with life and magic, overseen by a benevolent royal family. White London, on the other hand, is a hostile and brutal world, where magic is fought over and used to maintain control.
Kell a darket shade of magic
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab Publisher: Tor
Published: February 2015
Genre: fantasy
Rating: ★★★★★
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.
This isn’t so much a review as it is a journey of my experience with Schwab’s writing and this book in particular. In the spring of 2014, I went to a book signing for Schwab’s YA duology. I’d read The Archived for my graduate thesis and wanted to meet her. At that event she talked about a book about “pirates, thieves, and sadist kings” that would be published in the next year or so. Then this came out, the world exploded with hype, and I avoided it like the plague—because more often than not, hyped books disappoint me. I wanted to read it away from all that. Fast forward to fall 2019 when an Instagram friend read it for the first time. She was separated from the hype, and loved it to pieces. At this point I figured it was safe…so I bought it, and like many books, it sat unread on my shelves till now. I shouldn’t have been so worried or afraid. But at the same time, I don’t regret waiting so long to read this book. I think I can appreciate it more now, absorb and cherish it better than I could have in the middle of the hype. Schwab infuses the magic of her world into every single carefully written word. Her language evokes the atmosphere, her words propel the narrative, the diction and syntax so purposefully crafted that I felt transported immediately in the first chapter. Her characters are so well-developed in the way she shows their actions and movements and interactions with others, there wasn’t a single moment of telling or explanation for behavior or history. The world/s is/are so lush and vibrant and beautiful—even in the Grey and White—and yet she managed to craft them with little description. I’m in awe. She evoked all the senses in her writing and not once did I feel bogged down by the narrative, or annoyed with the dialogue, or frustrated with the pacing. It was all so perfectly, exquisitely written. A wholly unique experience. I loved this with every fiber of my being. I’m excited to learn more about Kell and Lila on this next adventure in the Shades of Magic trilogy. This is one of a kind!
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A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab Publisher: Tor
Published: February 2015
Genre: fantasy
Rating: ★★★★★
Lastly, Black London is a land destroyed by magic, cut off from the rest of the dimensions. As an adopted member of the royal family in Red London, Kell serves as an ambassador and messenger between the Londons. However, unbeknownst to the royals, Kell is also a smuggler, using his magical abilities to transport forbidden artifacts from one world to another. During one particular smuggling job, Kell stumbles upon a dangerous relic from Black London known as a stone. This discovery sets him on a perilous adventure that threatens to unravel the delicate balance between the dimensions. Along the way, Kell encounters Lila Bard, a skilled thief with a thirst for adventure. Together, they navigate treacherous worlds, deadly enemies, and dark magic. As they journey together, the unlikely duo forms an unlikely bond, relying on each other's strengths and wit to survive. A Darker Shade of Magic is a richly imagined and intricately crafted novel that combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery. Schwab's vivid descriptions of the different Londons and her complex characters bring the story to life, captivating readers from the very first page. This thrilling tale of danger, magic, and unlikely alliances is a must-read for fans of fantasy and those looking for an immersive and captivating story..
Reviews for "Exploring the Concept of Parallel Worlds in "A Darker Shade of Magic"
1. Alex - 2/5 stars:
I really wanted to like "A Darker Shade of Magic" because I had heard so many great things about it, but I found it to be quite disappointing. The world-building was intriguing at first, with multiple versions of London, but it quickly became confusing and convoluted. The characters, especially Kell, felt very one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or development. The plot was also incredibly slow-paced, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I was just not a fan of this one.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars:
I'm honestly puzzled by all the hype surrounding "A Darker Shade of Magic". The concept of different Londons and magic was interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was overly simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the story or its characters. Speaking of which, the characters felt very stereotypical and predictable, and I didn't find any of them particularly likable. The pacing was also a major issue for me, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying action scenes. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 3/5 stars:
I had high hopes for "A Darker Shade of Magic", but it didn't totally live up to the hype for me. While the concept and world-building were intriguing, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on for too long and others feeling rushed. The characters, although interesting, didn't feel fully developed, and I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. However, the action sequences were well-written and engaging, and there were moments of brilliance sprinkled throughout the book. Overall, it was an okay read, but not one that I would highly recommend.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars:
Unfortunately, "A Darker Shade of Magic" didn't captivate me like I had hoped. The world-building was promising, but the execution left much to be desired. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, and the multiple Londons became more confusing than intriguing. The characters were also a letdown, with their motivations and actions often feeling shallow and contrived. Additionally, the writing style didn't engage me and I found myself struggling to stay interested in the story. While I can see why some people enjoy this book, it simply wasn't my cup of tea.