Shades of Magic book 4 is the fourth installment in the Shades of Magic series written by V.E. Schwab. It continues the story of Kell Maresh, a powerful magician with the ability to travel between parallel worlds. In this book, Kell finds himself facing a new threat that could potentially destroy everything he holds dear. The Shadows, a dangerous group of magical beings, have emerged from the darkness and are seeking to claim power over all the worlds.
“Schwab (Vicious) creates an ingenious set of nesting alternate Londons in this imaginative, well-crafted fantasy. Confident prose and marvelous touches-a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine-bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
When she s not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters. Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones s contemporary fantasy crown.
The Shadows, a dangerous group of magical beings, have emerged from the darkness and are seeking to claim power over all the worlds. As Kell and his allies race against time to stop the Shadows, they encounter new dangers and uncover hidden secrets that could change the fate of their worlds forever. Along the way, Kell also confronts his own personal demons and struggles to reconcile his past actions with the present danger.
A Darker Shade of Magic: A Novel (Shades of Magic #1) (Hardcover)
This is book number 1 in the Shades of Magic series.
- #2: A Gathering of Shadows: A Novel (Shades of Magic #2) (Hardcover): $28.99
- #3: A Conjuring of Light: A Novel (Shades of Magic #3) (Hardcover): $25.99
Description
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."—Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
About the Author
VICTORIA “V.E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the Shades of Magic series, Villains series, and the Monsters of Verity duology. Her work has received critical acclaim; been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post and more; been translated into more than a dozen languages; and been optioned for television and film. When she’s not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
Praise For…
Entertainment Weekly's 27 Female Authors Who Rule Sci-Fi and Fantasy Right Now
“A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Its plot is gripping. Its characters are memorable. Its setting in four parallel, powerful Londons is otherworldly yet believable. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure.” —Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of The All Souls Trilogy
“Compulsively readable. her characters make the book. Just as Kell has layers, Lila is a satisfyingly rich invention. With so many worlds on the map, there's plenty left to discover.” —NPR
“A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books.” —io9
“Schwab (Vicious) creates an ingenious set of nesting alternate Londons in this imaginative, well-crafted fantasy. Confident prose and marvelous touches-a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine-bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A Darker Shade of Magic is smart, funny and sexy . Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones's contemporary fantasy crown.” —The Independent
“Fantasy fans will love this fast-paced adventure, with its complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine.” —Kirkus Reviews
- Fiction / Fantasy / Gaslamp
- Fiction / Fantasy / Historical
- Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
- Paperback (May 16th, 2023): $17.99
- Hardcover (May 14th, 2024): $29.99
- Paperback (January 19th, 2016): $17.99
- MP3 CD (April 21st, 2015): $41.99
- Compact Disc (April 21st, 2015): $44.99
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
The main theme of this book revolves around the idea of power and the lengths people will go to obtain it. Kell is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and make difficult choices that could have far-reaching implications. The plot is fast-paced and filled with intricate world-building and vivid descriptions. Schwab's writing style is engaging and keeps the reader captivated from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with complex motivations and relationships. Overall, Shades of Magic book 4 offers an intense and satisfying conclusion to the series. It explores themes of power, sacrifice, and redemption, while delivering exciting action and compelling character arcs. It is a must-read for fans of the series and a great addition to the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "The Complex Worldbuilding in Shades of Magic Book 4"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was a big fan of the previous books in the "Shades of Magic" series, but I was sorely disappointed with book 4. The pacing felt off, dragging in some parts and rushing through important plot points in others. The characters, who I had grown to love, seemed to undergo drastic personality changes that didn't feel true to their established arcs. Overall, the story felt disjointed and lacking the magic and excitement that made the earlier books so captivating.
2. Alex - 2/5
As someone who eagerly anticipated the release of "Shades of Magic" book 4, I was left feeling let down. The plot felt convoluted and overly complicated, making it difficult to truly immerse myself in the story. The new characters introduced in this installment were not as engaging or well-developed as the original ones, and their actions often seemed arbitrary and confusing. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying and lacking closure. It's a shame because I loved the previous books, but this one just didn't hit the mark for me.
3. Sarah - 1/5
I absolutely loved the first three books in the "Shades of Magic" series, but book 4 was a major disappointment. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of action that felt rushed and underdeveloped. The character development that was so well-executed in the previous books seemed to have been tossed aside, with characters making reckless decisions that were out of line with their established personalities. I simply couldn't connect with the story or the characters in the same way as before, and it left me feeling frustrated and let down.
4. Mark - 3/5
While I enjoyed revisiting the world of the "Shades of Magic" series in book 4, I couldn't help but feel that it fell short of the high expectations set by its predecessors. The plot felt scattered and at times confusing, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, some of the new characters introduced in this book were not as compelling or well-developed as I had hoped. However, the writing style and world-building still retained the charm that initially drew me to the series, and there were moments of brilliance scattered throughout. While not my favorite in the series, it was still an enjoyable read overall.