A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab | Book Review

14 July

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Title- A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)

Author- V. E. Schwab

Publisher- Titan Books

Links- Amazon | Goodreads

My Rating- ★★★★★

Goodreads Rating- ★★★★4.24

Fantasy | Young Adult | High Fantasy | Adventure | Romance

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Blurb
MY REVIEW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Blurb

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.

“I am Delilah Bard… I am a thief and a pirate and a traveller. I have set foot in three different worlds, and lived. I have shed the blood of royals and held magic in my hands. And a ship full of men cannot do what I can. I don’t need any of you. I am one of a damned kind.”

— A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

My Review

This sequel follows A Darker Shade of Magic (one of my favourite books). This time round, Lila is off on an adventure in an unfamiliar world, and is making the most of it. When she finds out her new captain, Alucard, is competing in the Element Games, Lila can’t help but sneak her way in to test her new magic skills. And of course, one of the masked contenders is Kell where he is secretly competing against the Kings stifling rules.

I enjoyed this story, though not as much as the first book. Alucard is a wonderful addition to the cast, he and Lila have a great dynamic and he’s a perfect contrast to broody and sullen Kell. Alucard’s history with the royals makes this even more interesting. My favourite relationship in this book is Kell and Rhy, made more complex by their life bond, they still manage to have each others backs and behave like idiot brothers at the same time.

I didn’t like the slow burn up to Kell and Lila crossing paths again, it seemed like a lot of waiting. My other complaint was the ending, I hate cliff hangers. It felt like this book got cut off in the middle, if I didn’t already have the next book on my phone I would have been pissed off.

Once again V.E. Schwab brings us into a world of chaos, magic, pirates, dysfunctional monarchies and extraordinary characters. The plot is dynamic and unpredictable making this book hard to put down and definitely worth a read.

“Kell would say it was impossible. What a useless word, in a world with magic.”

— A Gathering of Shadows by V.E.Schwab

About the Author- V. E. Schwab

Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is the #1 NYT, USA, and Indie bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and This Savage Song. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured by EW and The New York Times, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and been optioned for TV and Film.

The Independent calls her the “natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones” and touts her “enviable, almost Gaimanesque ability to switch between styles, genres, and tones.” She is represented by Holly Root at Root Literary and Jon Cassir at CAA.