A Darker Shade of Magic takes place in London, four kinds of London. You have Gray, Red, White and Black. Gray London's knowledge of magic is summed up in legend and folklore. Red London is the thriving magical kingdom, where magic is seen as equal and balanced to its practitioners. White London sees magic as something to be commanded and dominated. Black London is overtaken and in dark ruin. The monarchs of each London wielded magic to assist in their reign. Black London's magic is seeping through the cracks and White London was left to fend off for the rest of London. Politically, the four Londons are closed off and only speak to each other through the Antari to keep it that way. Kell is an Antari or Blood Magician. The Antari are the only ambassadors to these Londons. Kell is thrown into a political plot to stop magic from Black London. With surprising friends he makes on the way we see how his journey unfolds.
The narrative style takes you on an adventure. If you can imagine yourself reading a book and screaming at it to teleport you into that setting, this is one of those books. The narrative also attaches a descriptive style. Each London, despite their different colors, has their similarities. And within those similarities, differences enliven each London with a kind of culture, vivid characteristics, and locales. For example, while you have the River Thames in Gray London, they're called the Isles in Red London and the Sijlt in White London. But, still that ever-flowing river is indicative of London. All these descriptions simply embellish the adventurous narrative and I'm just sucked into another world.
This book plays off on courage and heroism, some aspects of survival, looming war, and maybe a dash of love. Our main character Kell is quite the modest hero. Sure, he might do a naughty thing or two between the Londons but when a loved one is near death, he goes on and saves them. Lila is quite a strong woman. I've read some reviews that spoke of her as annoying, but I can't help but root for her. She is my favorite character. There were chapters that made you wonder what is in store for the ambitious and aspiring sea-faring pirate. She at times was the voice of reason and spunk. Both displayed copious amounts of courage as they confronted the dangers around them. Lila has also survived such a hard life. It's only fitting she chooses her destiny. I recommend this book in three ways. If you read the physical book, not only will you enjoy the story, but you'll partake in that book page smell. Unless it was tainted with cigarette smoke or other unpleasant smells, that book page smell can be rather invigorating as you read. Now, the physical copy is rather thick, so if you're in a position that lacks self-space, the eBook is just as great. I read my copy with the free Kindle app for Android. Watching the animated pages while swiping has always been a delight. Lastly, I recommend the audiobook as well, because Steven Crossly's narration adds life to the characters with his accent and various intonations. If you're like me, and easily distracted by outside sounds while reading, listening to the audiobook while reading my eBook helped me immerse and comprehend the story immensely.
I love this book. So much, so that I am fan-casting. Overall, I look forward to reading the next chapters of this story. V.E Schwab has built an engrossing world. It is a trilogy. I feel the story is resolute but still ambiguous enough to want to read the next installment.
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