A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) in Overdue Podcast

Aug 28, 2020 Beth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Trying to find a fantasy that I absolutely can fall in love with so the search must go on. I did enjoy Schwab's writing this is my first novel from her and will try some more. ...more

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Nov 27, 2016 Jenny rated it it was ok

The first third was a bit of a slog, though I kept going hoping that things would get a little more interesting. Eventually the action did kick in, and it was interesting enough to keep reading, but I figured out several of the important plot points pretty early on in the book, and the storytelling started feeling painfully formulaic by the halfway point.

Characters felt a little flat and I spent as much time rolling my eyes at them as I did rooting for their success. Also there was no obvious r ...more

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Dec 10, 2016 Camille24 (camilleisreading) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-and-ya-fantasy

This was fun fantasy novel. In this book there are 4 worlds which sit atop one another like pages in a novel. They are connected by London, which is the only common geographic point existing in all four. All four worlds used to be connected by magic doorways through which citizens could travel, but now Kell is one of only two people with the power to pass between worlds.

Gray London is our world--devoid of magic; Red London is where Kell lives and magic is all around; in White London, those with ...more

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Sep 22, 2017 Nicole rated it it was amazing

I put this book off for a long time. I don’t know why though, the premise was interesting enough. Cool smuggling magician who can travel between alternate realities? Check. An ambitious female thief with a penchant for witty banter and every pretty knife she can get her hands on? Check. Adventure? Unique magic systems? A complex and fascinating villain? The best world-building I’ve seen since I last read a Sanderson novel? Che- you know what? I honestly don’t know why I didn’t read this book soo I put this book off for a long time. I don’t know why though, the premise was interesting enough. Cool smuggling magician who can travel between alternate realities? Check. An ambitious female thief with a penchant for witty banter and every pretty knife she can get her hands on? Check. Adventure? Unique magic systems? A complex and fascinating villain? The best world-building I’ve seen since I last read a Sanderson novel? Che- you know what? I honestly don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner. It was absolutely fantastic!

The characters were likeable and 3 dimensional. The suspense and tension was heart pounding. Every little detail seemed immensely important and not to mention the absolutely fantastic way she portrayed each London. It was almost as if you could smell and hear the bustle and sweet scents of red London. And see the dull, almost muted elegance of grey London. White London was my favourite because you got such a clear sense of how dangerous it was, how bad off the people were, and how desperate they were for magic and power. It was an absolutely enjoyable read.

Now I’m stressing on the word “read” here. I decided to buy the audiobook version of this story first because it was on sale and I love hearing books through the mouth of a skilled narrator. Unfortunately, they picked the wrong narrator for this book. Steven Crossley sounded like he hated some of the characters. In particular, Delila Bard. His voice for her sounded almost like he was mocking her in how obnoxious he sounded. I know she is supposed to be somewhat of a sarcastic character who doesn’t take crap from anybody but I could not listen to her voice when he spoke her words. Even during her more vulnerable moments, he made her sound like all her troubles were happening to someone else, and she was making fun of them. Some of the other characters also came across as unapologetically sardonic, even when the context leaned to a more serious attitude than obnoxious sarcasm. I hated it.

So if you plan to read this, I completely suggest going for this book, but don’t bother with the audiobook. This is an absolute treasure of a book, and I highly recommend it! (just not the audio for the love of God). ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Molly rated it really liked it

Love the world building and the characters, they are both larger than life. I'm very happy with the end, not sure if I want to read the rest of the series or leave it as is. ...more

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