A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by V. E. Schwab - Restarting February 10th 2023

[Heather]

Hey everybody!!

[Melanie]

Hi everyone! Excited to join in on this book!

[Heather]

Are you starting today Melanie?

[Melanie]

Heather wrote: "Are you starting today Melanie?"

Yes! Does that work for you?

[Heather]

Yes! How much are you reading?

[Melanie]

Not sure yet but I just finished part 1

End of part 1

(view spoiler)[ I don't normally comment after only the first chapter but I felt like I had to make an exception for this book just because. In the last book, I was either annoyed by Lila's character or indifferent to her but towards the end, she definitely became more tolerable and I didn't mind her so much which leads me to the first part of this book. I thought I was going to have to just endure it until I got to Rhy and Kell but WOW I loved this first part!! I loved the whole backstory of her becoming a part of the crew and her character didn't seem annoying? Also, I LOVE ALUCARD SO MUCH!! Like about as much as I love Rhy and I think that if they ever cross paths in this book they would get along like a house on fire and I AM HERE FOR IT!! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I forgot to mention earlier... (view spoiler)[ I love the scenes with Rhy and Kell! Their words and comments to each other cracks me up, and I’m really enjoying their characters! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Katie wrote: "I forgot to mention earlier... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I LOVE KELL AND RHY TOO!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Parts 2-5

(view spoiler)[ So much is happening. Wow, first off I love this book so much more than the first book! Second, Holland is alive?!?!?!!. Third, I would give just about anything to know Rhy, Kell, and Alucard's backstory right now. I low key ship Alucard and Rhy which is a little crazy because we still don't know much about Alucard but Kell pretty much hates the guy and Rhy is all on edge because Alucard is coming back for the games and so my mind right now is thinking Alucard and Rhy used to be a thing but he left to explore and broke Rhy's heart?? I HONESTLY DONT KNOW (and maybe it's far fetched) BUT I AM HERE FOR IT AND I WANT IT NOW!! (I'm also not really a fan of Lila and Kell as a couple so I'm reaching for Rhy and Alucard LOL) (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Part 6 chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ OMG RHY AND ALUCARD ARE A THING!! YESS!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Part 6

(view spoiler)[ So Lila and Kell still haven’t met up even though it’s been over 60 pages since they were both in the same location.... I was kind of expecting they would have met up in this last section. I liked seeing more of Alucard’s history with his family. And Lila stole a spot into the tournament... I’m liking it, but I guess I thought more would happen in this last section. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Is anyone here interested in buddy reading the third book? I'm hoping to start it this weekend!

[Katie]

@ Melanie - I might be able to read it with you! Let me see how much I get done this weekend!

Up to part 9

(view spoiler)[ Both Kell and Lila have advanced past the first round, and now Kell has been asked to stay in his room for the duration of the tournament. I just want him and Lila to finally meet up, whether it's in a match, or in passing, but I'm ready for them to meet. It's been like 400 pages.... :) (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

@Katie we can start next week if that works better for you! Let me know and we can request the thread!

Part 6-9

(view spoiler)[ Gosh this book is SOO GOOD!! Okay, so Lila is secretly probably the most powerful magician ever?? Will she end up going up against Kell?? Who knows but I would love to see it! I'm so annoyed with the king by this point. I 100% agreed with Tieren when he said that the king and queen were mad for blaming one son above the other. It's definitely not fair and I feel really bad for Kell. But onto Alucard and Rhy, I NEED MORE! PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON TOP! UHGGG I love that Rhy showed up to watch Alucard's match. I need more of them and possibly more backstory and explanations on why Alucard left Rhy!? ALSO, I THINK THAT COLLAR THAT TAKES AWAY MAGIC THAT HOLLAND HAS IS FOR KELL!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Part 9 chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ Both Kell and Lila advanced their next round, and Lila knows it’s Kell!!!!!! I bet the’ll have to pair up!! Agh!! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

End of Part 4
(view spoiler)[Do Rhy and Alucard have some kind of history together? I am VERY interested in this!

This whole Holland situation is just getting more and more weird, I wonder if whatever he's scheming is going to interfere with the Games.

Can't wait to see Lila and Kell reunite! I'm betting that they'll get to fight each other and it's gonna be super big and dramatic :D (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ I am speechless. I think this might be the best book I have ever read. It was an absolute masterpiece! From start to finish this book had me enthralled. I love Kell, I love Rhy, I love Alucard, and I can even say I love Lila. The ending broke my heart but Alucard, Lila, and Rhy was a trio I never knew I needed in my life!!!! AND I WANT MORE!! I desperately need Rhy and Kell to be okay. I hate what the king and queen did because Kell honestly deserved so much better than how they treated him in this book. I think Rhy is going to make a fantastic king one day with Kell and Alucard by his side and I just need them all to be alright!! I am both excited and dreading this last book. It is probably going to break my heart resulting in me being an emotional crying disaster but I guess I love the pain. I have a feeling that the ending of this trilogy is going to leave me in a spiraling book hole for the next months to come due to the gaping hole it will leave in my heart. Bring on the third book! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[

I LOVED this ending!! AGHHHH!! So much!! However, I didn't LOVE this book until the last 20%. I enjoyed the entire book, VERY much, but there were parts that just felt like not much was happening.

I loved the character development in this book and the back stories with the characters! And maybe that's what made it feel a bit slower for me, but I did enjoy learning more about the characters. Especially Alucard, Rhy, and Lila!

The ending made up for the slow parts for me! :)

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Part 7-I
(view spoiler)[YOOOOOOOOOOOOO 👀👀👀

Okay so I was lowkey shipping Lila and Alucard for a while there but Rhy and Alucard are the only ship the matters now!

Of course I'm also excited to see Lila vs Alucard vs Kell but that feels like the slightly less exciting thing right now 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

End of Part 8
(view spoiler)[Wow, it really sucks to be Kell right now, like even more than usual.

And lol of COURSE the final round of the Essen Tasch will consist of 3 competitors. I wonder who they will be? HmMmMmMmMmMmmmmmMMMm nope, can't think of anyone in particular :D (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Part 10 - III
(view spoiler)[Wow my predictions suck 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[That cliffhanger though! 😭

So I was genuinely surprised that Kell refused to give himself over to the creepy evil guy, it was definitely the right choice, even though I'm having a hard time seeing how Rhy is going to survive this (I absolutely don't believe that he's actually going to die though)

I totally believe that Rhy and Alucard are going to end up together, so those two better work through that happened in their past and Alucard better shape the heck up! I need this to happen <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Katie wrote: "[spoiler removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I had some trouble getting through the 2/3 of the book because it felt rather slow for me, even though I did enjoy it and think it was important. (hide spoiler)]

Melanie wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Ugh I know right??? I'm glad that the king quickly got over his tantrum and released Kell but it was still a dick move to have him arrested in the first place >_> (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

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Date changed. Restarting May 15th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Pragya]

Till Part 1 (view spoiler)[ Delilah has an interesting journey getting aboard the ship. She is even learning magic. I have a theory that she is a Antari too. (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Till Part 2 (view spoiler)[ Where Delilah has adjusted so well, Kell and Rhys are struggling after the events of Book 1.
How did Holland came back from Black London?? How did he survived?? (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Till Part 3 (view spoiler)[ I think Delilah will take part in the games. (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Till Part 4 (view spoiler)[ Finally, a glimpse at the Black London. (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Till Part 5 (view spoiler)[ I want Kell and Lila to meet soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Till Part 8 (view spoiler)[ I am disliking King more and more. Rhys is right this will only push Kell away. (hide spoiler)]

[Pragya]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I can't believe King had Kell arrested. The ending left me hanging!!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

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Date changed. Restarting December 5th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Lucija]

Haiiii..

[Lucija]

How far you plan on reading today?

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Ahhh, sorry, I haven't started yet, I'm going to tomorrow!
Do you want to do by pages, or on your own pace?

[Lucija]

Hahahha I javen't stared as well...I mean... I have nothing against doing it by pages.. depends on you :)

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

I'll be for doing at my own pace, if that's okay with you :)

[Lucija]

Yeah... works with me :)

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Starting in a while!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

5%
(view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying the badassery of Lila, but I'm just not able to concentrate so I'm reading a bit of another book. Hope you're enjoying it! (hide spoiler)]

[Lucija]

I had a bit of a spree last two nights hahah I'm currentlly at 66%. I am loving the dynamics even more than the first book. Lila is such a badass but we alredy know that hahah

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Wow! Glad you're liking it! I'll continue with this after I finish Cruel beauty

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

18%
(view spoiler)[What the hell!?!? Holland is alive?!?!? But I thought he was in Black London!?!? How is he in White London!!?!??
Also, I'm both liking and not liking Kell's cruelty? And I want more of Lila!! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

34%
(view spoiler)[I think Rhy and Alucrd might have been in a relationship earlier? It's pretty farfetched, but it seems possible somehow....we know Rhy dates men, and we have seen Alucard having like zero interest in Lila, so I don't know, maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

75%
(view spoiler)[I'm disappointed that this book took so long to get to what I came here for; the tournament.
I'm loving that both Kell and Lila are competing in it, and under false identities!! There are so many things that can go wrong, and I can't wait to read all of them!!
I was kinda right about Alucard and Rhy, and I want to see more of them. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

100%
Finished it 2 days back, but was stuck with school work(view spoiler)[I was slightly disappointed. Actually scratch that, I was really disappointed.
This book took a completely different direction from what I thought it would take. I hated that we had so little of Lila and Kell. I hated that there was a cliff hanger. I hated that the tournament took so long.
The main problem was that this was a pretty good book, but a horrible sequel. (hide spoiler)]All in all, this was just meh, and I hope you like it more than I did!

[Evelyn]

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Date changed. Restarting February 10th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Evelyn]

I'm reading this super slow, but I have started and am just under 100 pages now! (view spoiler)[I am in love with Kell and Rhy's dynamic, they're just too adorable. Which is why I'm hoping Rhy will be playing a bigger role in the rest of the series cause I seriously love him. None of the main plot seems to have taken place yet so I'm hoping that comes soon! (hide spoiler)]