First of all, let’s get the most pressing question out of the way: How did I wait so long to start reading this series?!?

This was my first introduction to V.E. Schwab, and I have to say I completely enjoyed it. This book, among so many other things, was masterful. I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and it skyrocketed to near the top of my favorites shelf. It’s a fast-paced dark fantasy adventure that is entertaining on every page.

V.E. Schwab did an incredible job creating an inventive and imaginative world filled with stunning characters. The idea of parallel Londons with varying degrees and attitudes towards magic was plausible, and the world building seemed effortless. Every time I picked up the book I found myself in a world that I wanted to learn more about and did not want to leave.

Like many of the other reviews, I was blown away by the characters in this book. I found each of the characters to be complex and full of both good attributes as well as flaws. V.E. Schwab was able to show throughout the story how none of the characters were perfect, and while some were undeniably more wicked than others, I was able to feel emotion towards all of them.

I was also pleasantly surprised that while this book was indeed violent and dark, it was not overly gory, which is something you can’t always find. I’ve steadily become a fan of dark fiction over the last year, and V.E. Schwab did an excellent job with A Darker Shade of Magic. But, because of the dark themes woven throughout, this book is definitely from more mature YA or adult audiences.

A Darker Shade of Magic left me wanting to read more, and since I am not currently in possession of the other two books in this trilogy, I’m off to go buy them.