V. E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic weaves a captivating tale of magical Londons, earning praise for its imaginative world-building and engaging characters. Critics highlight the gripping plot and rich setting, but some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a must-read for fantasy lovers, though it may not captivate those seeking faster action.

Readers who enjoy immersive fantasy worlds and charismatic characters will love A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and Lev Grossman’s The Magicians will find a similarly engaging blend of magic, adventure, and richly crafted alternate Londons in this fast-paced novel.

In A Darker Shade of Magic, Kell Maresh, one of the last Antari magicians capable of traveling between parallel worlds, inadvertently acquires a dangerous artifact from the fallen world of Black London. Joined by a daring thief named Lila Bard, Kell embarks on a perilous adventure to prevent the artifact from causing catastrophic destruction. The novel contains depictions of self-injury, sexual assault, torture, and homicide.

Mysterious / Adventurous / Fantastical / Dark / Suspenseful

- A Darker Shade of Magic is the first book in the Shades of Magic trilogy, set in a universe where parallel Londons exist, each with varying degrees of magical influence.
- The author, V. E. Schwab, has described this series as a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with inspiration drawn from her time spent living in England.
- Kell, one of the main characters, is an Antari, meaning he belongs to a rare group of magicians with the power to travel between parallel Londons, each with its own unique characteristics and rules regarding magic.

**Kell Maresh**  
A tall and slim 21-year-old protagonist with one blue eye and one black eye, marking him as an Antari magician with the ability to travel between parallel Londons. Known for his self-sacrificing nature and his struggles with feelings of loneliness and duty.

**Delilah "Lila" Bard**  
A 19-year-old thief and adventurer with a boyish frame and different-colored brown eyes, demonstrating her resourcefulness and yearning for freedom and adventure. She navigates a life shaped by hardship and dreams of becoming a pirate.

**Rhy Maresh**  
The handsome and charming prince of Red London and Kell’s adoptive brother, who worries about being perceived as weak and shows deep empathy and mercy. His bond with Kell highlights themes of family loyalty and protection.

**Barron**  
The steadfast and bearded owner of the Stone’s Throw inn, serving as Lila’s protective father figure. He offers her stability and care in a life otherwise defined by betrayal and self-reliance.

**Holland Vosijk**  
An Antari from White London with one greyish green eye and one black eye, serving as Kell’s foil and an antagonist bound to enforce the will of White London's rulers. He is a strategic and bitter character facing his own lack of freedom.

**Astrid and Athos Dane**  
The twin rulers of White London with colorless features and dark veins, obsessed with power and control. They are sadistic and conniving, employing dark magic and intimidation to maintain their rule.

V. E. Schwab

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Shades of Magic

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