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

by V.E. Schwab

Such is the quandary when it comes to magic, that it is not an issue of strength but of balance. For too little power, and we become weak. Too much, and we become something else entirely.

Kell wore a very peculiar coat.

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.

men who waded into waters claiming they could swim should not need a raft.

Lila Bard lived by a simple rule: if a thing was worth having, it was worth taking.

“The bodies in my floor all trusted someone. Now I walk on them to tea.”

“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”

He’d learned long ago never to walk into a world exactly where you wanted to be. If trouble were waiting, you’d land right on top of it.

He smiled, and Lila smiled back, resisting the urge to break his nose.

“Love doesn’t keep us from freezing to death, Kell,” she continued, “or starving, or being knifed for the coins in our pocket. Love doesn’t buy us anything, so be glad for what you have and who you have because you may want for things but you need for nothing.”

He would flirt with a nicely upholstered chair,

Rhy laughed silently. “I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.” “I apologize for shooting you in the leg,” said Lila. “I was myself entirely.”