A Conjuring of Light
A Conjuring of Light, (Shades of Magic Trilogy, Book 3), by V.E. Schwab 
Blurb:The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise. Kell begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown and a fallen hero is desperate to save a decaying world…My Review I really really wanted to love this book - and the two before it - and I'm not entirely sure why I didn't... I mean, I liked them, I enjoyed reading them, but they didn't grip me and I didn't fall in love with them like I'm wanted to.A conjuring of Light is well written and the world building is brilliant. It's action packed and I loved all the characters - especially Lila (kick-ass), Alucard (funny and charming) and Holland (misunderstood hero). Also, the way the characters interact really makes the story. The bond between Rhy and Kell shines through and I loved the friendship between Alucard and Lila, also, the way the three Antari interacted toward the end of the book was great. There are so many threads between characters, which was what kept me reading during the first half of this book when my attention drifted. However, I think part of the reason I didn't love this story as much as everyone else seems to is because, while I loved all the characters separately and also when they interacted together for the most part, I just didn't feel any chemistry between the characters who were supposed to have a romantic connection - Alucard/Rhy, Lila/Kell. Personally, I felt like Lila and Holland had more of a connection than her and Kell, but then that's probably because I love his character and I felt like he deserved so much more than the ending he got. :-( Seriously, I will actually mourn the loss of this characters and I really, really hope he manages to cheat death once again and gets his own book, because (even counting Lila) he was my favourite character and I thought he was the character in this book with the most potential.Also, although a lot happens in this book, and I mean a lot, and although it is beautifully written, I think the authors style of writing slowed the pacing at times, which I believe is another reason it didn't really hook me. This book was so long and unfortunately, I only really got into it once it had hit the half way mark and they were on the boat, but from then I really enjoyed it, so I'm finding it hard to decide on a rating. I'd say the first half was 3 stars, but I couldn't give the second half any less than a 4, maybe 4.5. There are so many parts to this story and they all weave together, to make a story that is interesting and complex, and I can understand why so many people absolutely love this trilogy. Also, I just have to say that I liked how not everything was answered at the end of the book - how Kell's relationship with the king and queen wasn't truly mended and he never found out about his real parents - because the not knowing made it very poignant and made it feel more real. I'll definitely read more from this author though, despite the fact I didn't click with this trilogy for all that it had everything I usually love... 
My favourite quotes from 'A Conjuring of Light': 'How could a city fall when so many were still fighting?' 'You wanted him to kill for me, die for me, protect me at all costs. Well, Mother, you got your wish. You simply failed to realise that that kind of love, that bond, it goes both ways.' 'It doesn't matter what someone is. Only what they think they are.' 'I've never cared for liars, Luc, and I care even less for fools, so don't make me feel like more of one.' ' "Do you ever get tired of running, Bard?" She cocked her head. "No."Alucard's gaze went to the horizon. "Then you haven't left enough behind." ' ' "Only you would mourn the vessel instead of the sailors.""Well," she said matter-of-factly, "the ship certainly didn't do anything wrong. The people might have deserved it." ' 'But there's a difference between killing for purpose and killing for sport, and wise men know that some must fall so others can rise.' '... you can sit around waiting for a storybook ending, or you can help me write a real one.'
Blurb:The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise. Kell begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown and a fallen hero is desperate to save a decaying world…My Review I really really wanted to love this book - and the two before it - and I'm not entirely sure why I didn't... I mean, I liked them, I enjoyed reading them, but they didn't grip me and I didn't fall in love with them like I'm wanted to.A conjuring of Light is well written and the world building is brilliant. It's action packed and I loved all the characters - especially Lila (kick-ass), Alucard (funny and charming) and Holland (misunderstood hero). Also, the way the characters interact really makes the story. The bond between Rhy and Kell shines through and I loved the friendship between Alucard and Lila, also, the way the three Antari interacted toward the end of the book was great. There are so many threads between characters, which was what kept me reading during the first half of this book when my attention drifted. However, I think part of the reason I didn't love this story as much as everyone else seems to is because, while I loved all the characters separately and also when they interacted together for the most part, I just didn't feel any chemistry between the characters who were supposed to have a romantic connection - Alucard/Rhy, Lila/Kell. Personally, I felt like Lila and Holland had more of a connection than her and Kell, but then that's probably because I love his character and I felt like he deserved so much more than the ending he got. :-( Seriously, I will actually mourn the loss of this characters and I really, really hope he manages to cheat death once again and gets his own book, because (even counting Lila) he was my favourite character and I thought he was the character in this book with the most potential.Also, although a lot happens in this book, and I mean a lot, and although it is beautifully written, I think the authors style of writing slowed the pacing at times, which I believe is another reason it didn't really hook me. This book was so long and unfortunately, I only really got into it once it had hit the half way mark and they were on the boat, but from then I really enjoyed it, so I'm finding it hard to decide on a rating. I'd say the first half was 3 stars, but I couldn't give the second half any less than a 4, maybe 4.5. There are so many parts to this story and they all weave together, to make a story that is interesting and complex, and I can understand why so many people absolutely love this trilogy. Also, I just have to say that I liked how not everything was answered at the end of the book - how Kell's relationship with the king and queen wasn't truly mended and he never found out about his real parents - because the not knowing made it very poignant and made it feel more real. I'll definitely read more from this author though, despite the fact I didn't click with this trilogy for all that it had everything I usually love... My favourite quotes from 'A Conjuring of Light': 'How could a city fall when so many were still fighting?' 'You wanted him to kill for me, die for me, protect me at all costs. Well, Mother, you got your wish. You simply failed to realise that that kind of love, that bond, it goes both ways.' 'It doesn't matter what someone is. Only what they think they are.' 'I've never cared for liars, Luc, and I care even less for fools, so don't make me feel like more of one.' ' "Do you ever get tired of running, Bard?" She cocked her head. "No."Alucard's gaze went to the horizon. "Then you haven't left enough behind." ' ' "Only you would mourn the vessel instead of the sailors.""Well," she said matter-of-factly, "the ship certainly didn't do anything wrong. The people might have deserved it." ' 'But there's a difference between killing for purpose and killing for sport, and wise men know that some must fall so others can rise.' '... you can sit around waiting for a storybook ending, or you can help me write a real one.'
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