Just a warning... if you're in the midst of reading the Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab and will be starting or are currently in the middle of its second book, A Gathering of Shadows, I suggest you make sure that you have A Conjuring of Light on hand. Because, holy hell, does V.E. Schwab leave you with a heck of a cliffhanger and you would experience all kinds of torture if you don't immediately dive into the final installment of my 2017 reading list's best book series.
Now that I've got that warning out of the way for those who are reading the series, let me now give those who haven't a piece of advice.... read it, please. If you like fantasy and haven't gotten around to this magical trilogy yet, you're missing out big time.
Anyway...
As the kingdom of Arnes recovers from a remnant of Black London magic running amuck and the treachery of the Dane twins of White London, Kell Maresh finds that life is much changed. The King and Queen treat him with distrust (for good reason, given that his smuggling habit caused one half of their troubles to happen) and even the people of Arnes who usually treat him with reverence have also started to fear him. And then there's the matter of how he saved his brother Prince Rhy's life, the magic he utilized binding them in ways that both have learned are difficult to live with. Meanwhile, he thinks of Delilah Bard who is off adventuring out at sea, unaware that she has become a crew member on the Night Spire under Alucard Emery or that she also thinks of him on occasion. As Arnes gears to host the Element Games where the greatest magicians from three kingdoms compete, trouble brews in another world... waiting for a chance to make another world fall.
On the surface, A Gathering of Shadows runs similarly to A Darker Shade of Magic. Characters and their relationships are explored, while the world Kell Maresh calls home provides the primary setting for the story. But, A Gathering of Shadows is a far more exciting creature, with the Element Games giving readers a chance to get to know the other kingdoms of their world and an understanding of how the more commonly used elemental magic works. A great magic system is essential in fantasy stories rooted in magic, and it's especially satisfying to read when the author does well at incorporating it in action scenes. And V.E. Schwab has that in spades in both the Element Games battles and in the character's battles outside of the arenas that Prince Rhy has built for the event.
Another marked difference is the narrative voice of the book. While Kell dominated in the first volume of the book series, A Gathering of Shadows alternate between his troubled times in Arnes, Lila's experience out at sea and as part of Emery's crew, Rhy's struggle with his new life and how it impacts his brother, and another character thought to be lost in a world no one should ever visit. It's the last who gives A Gathering of Shadows a sense of dread, as the character works towards giving a dark power what it yearns for... a world to dominate in place of what it had lost. As Kell and Lila work through their respective demons and find their way to a reunion, a bigger threat than losing in the Element Games and in politicking brews a world away. It was delicious suspense and one that culminated in a cliffhanger that would have caused me to pull out my hair had I not been ready with a copy of A Conjuring of Light.
But it's not all action and intrigue. Character development is also an integral part in the volume, whether as an individual or as part of a relationship. Kell learns about dealing with consequences, while he and Rhy attempt to create a normal life despite the strange bond they share. Rhy takes on a reckless attitude, burdened by what his brother had to do to save his life, as Kell in turn feels stifled with the responsibility of keeping Rhy safe. This change in their relationship is one that is tinged with a bit of regret but still maintaining loyalty to one another, but it's a balance that requires a daring act to keep stable. As for Lila, her journey on board the Night Spire deserves its own book really. She attempts to learn magic with the same reckless attitude she has when seeking danger. And while Lila might entertain more than fraternal thoughts for her captain, it's her impending reunion with Kell that you can't wait to read about. There's something intriguing about the mix of their personalities... with Kell needing a bit of Lila's daring and Lila needing Kell to ground her.
A Gathering of Shadows is excellently paced and the mood setting is exquisite, keeping readers enthralled with the wonders of the Element Games that bring excitement to the different characters, while ensuring that we await with suspense the trouble that is sure to come their way. It's so masterfully written that I knew the trilogy was going to be a favorite even without reading A Conjuring of Light.
Not that I waited too long to start reading it.
Happy reading!!Labels: Adventure, Book Series, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Reading List, Romance, Shades of Magic, V.E. Schwab
