A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

by V.E. Schwab

He could smell Grey London (smoke) and White London (blood), but to him, Red London simply smelled like home.

Grey for the magic-less city. Red, for the healthy empire.

White, for the starving world.

The people fed on the magic and the magic fed on them until it ate their bodies and their minds and then their souls.”

“As Travars,” he said. Travel.

Priste ir Essen. Essen ir Priste. “Power in Balance. Balance in Power.”

“Death comes for everyone,” she said simply. “I’m not afraid of dying. But I am afraid of dying here.” She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city. “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”