About the Book
-
Author:
- V.E. (Victoria) Schwab
- Genre:
- Fantasy
- Voices:
- Cis Boy
- Cis Girl
- Straight
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Double Trouble
Talky Talk: Spellbinding
Bonus Factors: World-building, Palace Intrigue
Relationship Status: Enchanted
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
I need this framed on my wall STAT. Not only does this artwork accurately reflect the story (Kell’s red coat, in particular, is a nice touch), it has both a retro vibe and a fantastical style in line with the time period (1819) and the parallel worlds setting. Seriously, (top) hats off to whoever worked this absolute MAGIC.
The Deal:
Okay, I’m going to try not to go off on too many tangents (and no major spoilers, obvs) but DAMN there is so much I need to tell you about this book! So, Kell is an Antari—a blood magician—who lives in London. Well, he lives in Red London, which is one of three Londons (the others are White and Grey) that all exist parallel to each other. As an Antari—one of only two in existence—Kell has the ability to open doors between these three worlds and pass through them, and he uses that power to serve as an ambassador for the king of Arnes, the country where Red London is located. (That’s right, only one of the Londons is in Great Britain.) The relationships between the three cities/countries is fraught, with Grey London having no magic; White London having just enough to make people bloodthirsty; and Red London having plenty.
While Kell is doing his diplomatic work, he’s also got a bit of a side hustle: he sells small objects from Red London to collectors in the other cities who are obsessed with magic. This is STRICTLY FORBODEN, and in spite of his bestie (and basically, brother) Prince Rhy telling him to quit it, he keeps doing it until, well, the shit-teth hit-teth the fan-eth. And in the midst of things going very badly in Grey London, he meets Delilah Bard, a professional pickpocket with dreams of being a pirate. Delilah gets a crash course in the Londons and how Kell’s Antari blood magic works when the two discover a stone with incredible power. Power that no one should possess. And the only way to get rid of it is to take it to Black London… oh that’s right, there’s a fourth London y’all!!! It was destroyed by the abuse of magic and walled off from the world, and now Delilah and Kell are in a race to get to it while being pursued by some very bad people (and not-people).
BFF Charms: Double Trouble!
I feel the need to preface this section by saying that I would love to be besties with Kell and Delilah, but I’m definitely concerned about the level of adventure required to be friends with them.
With that said, Kell is one of those super layered, enigmatic characters that is genuinely fascinating to get to know. He has a ton of power—and supreme confidence in that power—but he’s not an asshole about it*, mostly due to fact that he’s basically owned by the Arnes royal family. Sure, they seem to care for him, but at the end of the day, he’s a tool that they gained through mysterious means (he doesn’t remember his childhood before he arrived at the palace). He feels trapped and alone, and yet his love for Prince Rhy is real, and their relationship reveals Kell’s compassion and loyalty.
*Okay, there are a few times he is, but honestly that only made me like him more?
In dynamic contrast to Kell, Delilah is bold and gutsy as hell. She’s had to fend for herself her whole life, resulting in a tough attitude and resourceful spirit. She says things like, “My life is mine to spend,” and I mean, do I need to repeat myself? Her career goal is TO BE A PIRATE. With her OWN SHIP. She straight up rules, y’all. And it’s so fun to see her friendship with Kell evolve; she pushes him (and his buttons) in all of the best ways, and both of them are the better for it.
Okay, just one more Delilah quote, because yeah, she’s awesome:
Looking for trouble, he’d say. You’re gonna look till you find it.
Trouble is the looker, she’d answer. It keeps looking till it finds you. Might as well find it first.
Why do you want to die?
I don’t, she’d say. I just want to live.
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
There is a hint of romance in this book, but I have the feeling there might be more in the next installment? Then again, I would honestly be fine if Kell and Delilah were just platonic because their friendship is THAT good.
Talky Talk: Spellbinding
For me, a great fantasy book requires a perfect balance of world-building and dynamic action; if you have too much of the former, the book can be a snooze fest, but if you have too much of the latter, the story can lack substance. Victoria Schwab is a master of this balance, and I felt immediately absorbed in the land of the Londons and extremely invested in Kell and Delilah’s plight, particularly because the stakes feel very high. Y’all, Schwab doesn’t flinch when it comes to violence, and there is some real grody magical shit in this book (which I loved, obvs).
Bonus Factor: World-building
Getting to know the three Londons is such a blast! And it’s not just the setting that makes this book so rich—it’s the rules of magic/blood commands; it’s the Arnesian language (yes, there’s a dictionary at the end); it’s the history of the land and how it has impacted these three countries. Schwab has meticulously crafted such an epic world, and I can’t wait to return to it.
Bonus Factor: Palace Intrigue
Between the mysterious agenda of the King of Arnes (Kell’s “dad”) and the evil machinations of Astrid and Athos Dane, the brutal rulers of White London, there is some delicious political subterfuge in this story along with a ton of juicy twists. It is truly a game of thrones!
Relationship Status: Enchanted
Book, you captivated me from the very first page with your vibrant and fascinating world and your endearing (and sometimes prickly) heroes. I loved being under your spell, and I’m so glad our adventures can continue in the next installment. See you in London!
FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed my review copy from my local library; I received neither compensation nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). A Darker Shade of Magic is available now.
Love this review—and that you liked it! 😀 Looking forward to chatting about this one with club.