[MVP]∎ [PDF] Free A Gathering of Shadows A Novel Shades of Magic Victoria Schwab 9780765376473 Books

A Gathering of Shadows A Novel Shades of Magic Victoria Schwab 9780765376473 Books

Download As PDF : A Gathering of Shadows A Novel Shades of Magic Victoria Schwab 9780765376473 Books

A Gathering of Shadows A Novel Shades of Magic Victoria Schwab 9780765376473 Books

This past summer I read the first book in this series and I was immediately intrigued with the premise of four different London's existing at the same time, each with varying amounts of magic.

Unfortunately, this book second book in the series didn't live up to the first book and I think it could have been down-sized considerably. The main issue I had was that not a lot happened. Much page time was devoted to the build-up to this big, multinational magical competition (think Tri-Wizard Tournament from HP). And yet the actual competition was lackluster and didn't happen until much closer to the end. Other than this tournament not a lot else goes on and the larger story arcs, which I loved from the first book, weren't addressed to the extent that I had hoped.

The issues were compounded by the fact that the characters didn't seem to develop any further than they had in the first book and their personalities, while familiar felt muted (except for Lila's arrogance which ran rampant throughout). But I did enjoy the addition of Emery Alucard. He has some mystery, can handle Lila and has a healthy dose of sass. But the animosity between him and another character, while explained, seemed much too weak of a reason for the intense and long held feelings between them.

Then there were issues with the plot that didn't make sense to me. Why would Lila, a Grey Londoner with no magical training, suddenly decide to cheat her way into a magical competition where the other competitors are people with magical ability and who have been training for many years? She's arrogant and puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations and based on that alone readers are supposed to believe she has a chance to win the competition? Um, no.

Overall, this was just an okay addition to the series. Even though not a lot happened it remarkably kept my interest enough that I finished it. So why the three star rating when it feels like I've kind of dumped on this book? Schwab is quite a talented writer, the story started off strong (mainly with Lila's story line and the introduction of Alucard) and I continue to love her premise of the four Londons. I also loved the addition of Rhy's romance. Unfortunately, this book suffered a severe bout of Second Book Syndrome and felt like it was merely a set up for the third book in the series. It had action, various romances and a good cliffhanger but I wish some of that energy had been used earlier on. I'm hoping that the author will pull out all the stops for the final book.


Tags : A Gathering of Shadows: A Novel (Shades of Magic) [Victoria Schwab] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>From #1 New York Times </i>bestselling author V.E. Schwab</b> <b> Addictive and immersive,Victoria Schwab,A Gathering of Shadows: A Novel (Shades of Magic),Tor Books,0765376474,Fantasy - General,Contests,FICTION Fantasy General.,FICTION Fantasy Historical.,Fantasy fiction,Fantasy fiction.,Magic,Science fiction,110301 Tor Trade-Tor Hardcover,FICTION Fantasy General,FICTION Fantasy Historical,Fantasy,Fantasy - Historical,Fantasy Action & Adventure,Fantasy Gaslamp,Fiction,Fiction - Fantasy,Fiction-Fantasy,GENERAL,General Adult,SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY,United States,historical fantasy; medieval fantasy; fantasy books; books fantasy; fantasy series; best fantasy books; fantasy fiction; science fiction fantasy; best fantasy series; best fantasy novels; modern fantasy; fantasy novels; fantasy book series; victorian fantasy; alternate reality; alternative reality; london fiction; london fantasy

A Gathering of Shadows A Novel Shades of Magic Victoria Schwab 9780765376473 Books Reviews

First things first, this may be the worst cliff hanger I've ever had the pleasure of reading. So horrible it might not be a pleasure.

And it makes me incredibly glad I waited for the whole of the trilogy to be released before I started the series. The only thing I have to wait for is eight hours of sleep. And it'll be torture.

It's sort of odd how much this trilogy feels like one story. Even discounting the cliffhanger, all that was accomplished in this novel was the competition and bringing all the characters together (not that she they stayed that way). And I've always looked at the second book in the series as the one that brings the characters back together, as something usually breaks 'em apart, but here it just feels so rounded and whole. I don't know how to explain what I'm thinking.

These books are not at all like I expected. And it's a very good thing.

There's London (I guess I expected that) and princes and pirates and thieves and cleverness and banter and stubbornly ruthless decisions and amazing world-building and a magical black market. And maybe my favorite magic item ever, Kell's coat.

The writing is so good and so descriptive that I almost threw up when Lila was having a claustrophobic moment.

I loved the competition, even though it wasn't really unique, and I loved Lila's magic lessons (if you know anything about me you know these are two of my favorite things) but all I wanted while reading was to have Lila and Alucard and Rhys and Kell in one room for longer than ten seconds.

My main problem with the story isn't really a problem but my own impatience and that's how we were made to wait over 50% of the book before Kell and Lila crossed paths, and no matter how amazing Alucard is I bought the book to see the two of them together.

Yeah, I'm totally reading this series purely for the characters.

They're just so real and smart and funny and different and I want them all to be happy.

I love how Lila has kept her roots and how she can't not think like she's living alone on the streets. I love how Kell hasn't lost his demeanor and how he cares for others. And I love Rhys' humor, of course, but also the way he cares about everyone else's happiness over his own life. And I love Alucard and the way he deals with Lila and, well, everything else about him too.

Don't disappoint me, A Conjuring of Light, or words will be had.
This past summer I read the first book in this series and I was immediately intrigued with the premise of four different London's existing at the same time, each with varying amounts of magic.

Unfortunately, this book second book in the series didn't live up to the first book and I think it could have been down-sized considerably. The main issue I had was that not a lot happened. Much page time was devoted to the build-up to this big, multinational magical competition (think Tri-Wizard Tournament from HP). And yet the actual competition was lackluster and didn't happen until much closer to the end. Other than this tournament not a lot else goes on and the larger story arcs, which I loved from the first book, weren't addressed to the extent that I had hoped.

The issues were compounded by the fact that the characters didn't seem to develop any further than they had in the first book and their personalities, while familiar felt muted (except for Lila's arrogance which ran rampant throughout). But I did enjoy the addition of Emery Alucard. He has some mystery, can handle Lila and has a healthy dose of sass. But the animosity between him and another character, while explained, seemed much too weak of a reason for the intense and long held feelings between them.

Then there were issues with the plot that didn't make sense to me. Why would Lila, a Grey Londoner with no magical training, suddenly decide to cheat her way into a magical competition where the other competitors are people with magical ability and who have been training for many years? She's arrogant and puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations and based on that alone readers are supposed to believe she has a chance to win the competition? Um, no.

Overall, this was just an okay addition to the series. Even though not a lot happened it remarkably kept my interest enough that I finished it. So why the three star rating when it feels like I've kind of dumped on this book? Schwab is quite a talented writer, the story started off strong (mainly with Lila's story line and the introduction of Alucard) and I continue to love her premise of the four Londons. I also loved the addition of Rhy's romance. Unfortunately, this book suffered a severe bout of Second Book Syndrome and felt like it was merely a set up for the third book in the series. It had action, various romances and a good cliffhanger but I wish some of that energy had been used earlier on. I'm hoping that the author will pull out all the stops for the final book.