| BOOK REVIEW | A GATHERING OF SHADOWS BY V.E. SCHWAB

A Gathering Of Shadows
Author : V. E. Schwab
Series : Shades Of Magic
Genre : Fantasy
Publication : February 23rd 2016 by Titan Books

This is the second book in the Shades Of Magic series. This review will spoil you if you haven’t read A Darker Shade Of Magic.

Goodreads’ synopsis : Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift, and into Black London.

In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like 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.

But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again—meaning that another London must fall.

OMG this book ! I need the third book ASAP !
It’s the second book in the Shades Of Magic trilogy, so this review will spoil you if you haven’t the previous book, A Darker Shade Of Magic.

She bent most of the rules. She broke the rest.

Plot:
It starts with Lila being aboard of The Night Spire. She is their best thief. Her captain is Alucard, a gorgeous and sarcastic man.
Meanwhile Kell is tiptoeing instead of living, to avoid any useless pain to Rhy. Their situation is driving both of them crazy.
Alucard and The Night Spire crew are coming back to Red London for the Elements Games.

After all, if you run far enough, no one can catch you.

How I missed this world ! I was hooked from the very first page !
Kell is an Antari and can use blood magic but V.E. Schwab can wield ink magic in such a beautiful and powerful way. She crafted such amazing worlds.
This book is such a page turner filled with humor, sarcasm and adventures !
The story gets even better than in the first book.

“As Travars“. Travel.
That’s what I did with this book. I traveled so much, I left my life, my city and went in London. I was in Red London with Rhy and Kell, on a pirate ship with Lila and Alucard and dreading in White London, watching a frightening darkness.

I absolutely loved everything about this book.
The plot twists are amazing and the ending nearly killed me. I need to know what will happen next !

I know where you sleep, Bard.” She smirked. “Then you know I sleep with knives.

I loved reading about the tournament, seeing different kind of magic, and also learning about different kingdoms.

Characters :
– Lila is even more reckless than in the previous book. She is such an amazing character. She is able to do things she isn’t supposed to, coming from Grey London. Probably because she thinks nothing can resist her !
– Rhy is slowly getting mad because he doesn’t think he should have been resurrected. He doesn’t want to be a burden for Kell.
In this book we learn about his past love life, and how fragile he can be.
– Kell is now super cautious. He feels like an expensive prisoner inside the palace; he lost the king and queen’s trust.
I loved reading how deeply attached to Lila he had grown.
– Alucard oh Alucard ! He is such a swoon-worthy character. He is mysterious yet opened and really interested by Lila’s life. I think he truly cares for her.
He is funny and you can’t help but care for him. And he is way stronger than I gave him credit for.

To put it in a nutshell I LOVED this book ! It’s one of my 2016 top 5 and I know it will stay that way !

About the author

Victoria has stated that books published under V.E. Schwab are adult releases and those under Victoria Schwab are YA.