Review: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Published February 23rd 2016

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as 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.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

This is one of the best series’ I’ve ever read. The writing, the world building, the characters, everything is so amazing.

I love how Kell started as the main focus of this series but Lila just jumped in there and stole the show. She’s such an outstanding character. Lila is what other writers should model their characters after because she’s everything a fictional person should be.
The character development is amazing! I loved how much the characters have evolved and grown in these two books and I can’t wait to see what happens in the 3rd book.

If you haven’t pick up the Shades of Magic series yet, I highly recommend that you do. It’s perfect in so many ways and the characters are magnificent.