From V.E. Schwab, the critically acclaimed author of Vicious, comes a new universe of daring adventure, thrilling power, and parallel Londons, beginning with A Darker Shade of Magic.
Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands. There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there’s Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London...but no one speaks of that now.Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.
Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands. There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there’s Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London...but no one speaks of that now.Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.
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A Darker Shade of Magic
February 24, 2015 | 401 pages
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3
emberem
(Grade: C) Despite the concept, London itself -its geography and history- doesn't feature much in the story (the way it does in Gaiman's Neverwhere, for e.g.) That said, it's still a fun escapist adventure. Cool good guys, cool evil guys, crossdressing female street rats, fancy clothes, magic battles, etc.
(Grade: C) Despite the concept, London itself -its geography and history- doesn't feature much in the story (the way it does in Gaiman's Neverwhere, for e.g.) That said, it's still a fun escapist adventure. Cool good guys, cool evil guys, crossdressing female street rats, fancy clothes, magic battles, etc.(Rated on Aug 27, 2017)
2
wizardsheart (Grade: B) A tale of magic and multiple Londons. This was an interesting book. I liked the various Londons and the different levels of magic. The book didn't knock my socks off, but was an enjoyable read.
(Rated on Jan 9, 2016)
1
FancyNancy (Grade: C) Thoroughly enjoyable read. I liked the world(s), the magic concept and the plotting of the book. The characters haven't jumped at me yet, but they have certainly intrigued me enough to read the next book. I'm a big fan of Ms Schwab's writing style. I found it descriptive and poetic, without being overly so.
(Rated on Mar 14, 2016)
1
bookappeal (Grade: B) In Schwab's world, there are four parallel Londons. The lands used to be connected by doors through which some people, and magic, could travel. After Black London's greediness for magic became its destruction, the doors between lands were sealed. Kell, raised by the ruling family of Red London, does not know how he became one of the few remaining blood magicians who can move between lands. Using the ability to deliver correspondence to dangerous White London and magic-less Grey London, he o
(Grade: B) In Schwab's world, there are four parallel Londons. The lands used to be connected by doors through which some people, and magic, could travel. After Black London's greediness for magic became its destruction, the doors between lands were sealed. Kell, raised by the ruling family of Red London, does not know how he became one of the few remaining blood magicians who can move between lands. Using the ability to deliver correspondence to dangerous White London and magic-less Grey London, he o(Rated on Jan 4, 2017)
1
RemusLupin
(Grade: B+) This book took me a little while to get into and I didn't love the switching points of view from random characters. But the fantasy world was well crafted with characters you want to root for (or against) and the ending was satisying, but left plenty open for a sequel. If you like magic systems and fantasy worlds, I would recommend this book.
(Grade: B+) This book took me a little while to get into and I didn't love the switching points of view from random characters. But the fantasy world was well crafted with characters you want to root for (or against) and the ending was satisying, but left plenty open for a sequel. If you like magic systems and fantasy worlds, I would recommend this book.(Rated on Jul 12, 2018)
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