RoseBane (Jess)'s Reviews > A Darker Shade of Magic

"Death comes for everyone. I'm not afraid of dying. But I am afraid of dying here. I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

And it indeed WAS a great adventure. I’m so glad I picked up this book. Should have done this long ago.

Kell is a magician named Antari. He has the ability to travel between Londons. Kell works for Red London royalty. Or should I say- was adopted by the royalties. But, he has always felt as a possession and not as a family member. Well, except for the relationship with Rhy- who he claims to be his brother.

There are 4 Londons- Red (Kell’s London), White London (ruled by the Danes), Black London (long gone), and Grey London (which is our London).

The setting, the world that Schwab built, is so brilliant and fascinating. The different ways of which London lives, how Kell found names to each London, by the way they function. I especially love the story behind Black London- which is sealed because it was consumed by magic.

Kell meets Lila, a pickpocket in grey London- strong and spunky- a girl who desires to be a pirate, and longs for adventure. She finds the opportunity by sticking to Kell’s mission- to return the black stone to Black London- where it belongs.

I loved both Kell and Lila, and I really loved how they worked together as a team. I loved the fact that at first they didn’t really care about each other. In fact, the reason they met was because Lila stole the dangerous artifact from Kell. And then- how they found themselves willing to be in a dangerous position just to help each other. There’s no love story- just a great partnership that grows stronger. Which is amazing, because if you know me, you'll know that I appreciate love that comes from acquaintance. And who said there would be romance between them? Even if that seems to happen. And that's the kind of excitement I like- to wait and see what happens between these two.

Kell was likable from the very beginning. I love how vulnerable he seemed to be at the beginning, because he wasn’t really in any real danger. Then he realized how strong he really was, and so were we.

I also liked Rhy, and I was sad that I didn't get the chance to really know him as a character.

Holland is another Antari, who belongs to the dangerous, magic-lusting White London.
To be honest, I didn’t like him at first. I knew he was bad only because he couldn’t resist the Danes, and that’s why I understand his motives. But I was angry with him because he tried to kill Kell, and I fucking love Kell. I do hope Holland will be in the sequels because I want to know more about him.
Another thing I liked about White London are Athos and Astrid, who were really great villains. They were strong, smart, sadistic and ruthless. It made me excited about the way they behave, and I was curious how Kell would deal with them.

The downside that made me give this book only 4 stars is because it wasn’t a book I couldn’t put it down. The beginning was mostly a back story, and it took me a while to get into the vibe of the plot. After the shit started happening- I got hooked (finally) and couldn’t put the book down.

By the way- Kell has a mysterious coat that has a different look for every place he visits (and there are so many- some coats he has never seen, or seen once, and then never again). How amazing is that? I want this coat.