A Darker Shade of Magic

[Erika, Dream Thief]

What did you think of it? Favorite or least favorite characters? Favorite or least favorite part? Will you read the next one?

[R.E.]

I thought it was definitely worth the time. It was interesting for sure and had great characters, but was a bit hard to follow at first about all of the Londons. Somewhere in the middle of the book it all just finally fell into place. Like the previous two mentioned, it was a bit slow in pace, but was good enough a story to keep looking on to the next page. I liked it, but not certain if I'm sold enough to read the next one. My favorite part would have to be when Kell said he knew it wasn't Lila because Astrin (I think that's how it was spelled) said please. Pretty funny. However, my least favorite part was how Kell simply warded off Vitari. Seriously. All the dark talk about how strong and evil and powerful the black talisman was and how bleak the future looked for Kell and then....POOF!! Abra Ka Dabra! Kell simply wills the magic away. Grrrrrrrrr.

[Alison]

I read this a few months ago and absolutely loved it. I think it's great how the author created three very different versions of London. The descriptions were excellent and you almost felt like you were there.

My favourite character was Lila. I love how reckless she is and how she tries to steal pretty much anything that isn't nailed down. The dynamic between her and Kel is fantastic.

[Lisa]

I picked it up knowing nothing about it because I liked the premise, and I liked the first page, and I liked the coat. It reminded me of the door in Howl's Moving Castle, the cape, and was generally Diana Wynne Jonesesque. I agree that the beginning was a bit slow, and it took me a while to get into it, but while the pacing was off I liked the tone of the book. I think maybe I didn't find it as funny or amusing as other people did, and as it was trying to be, but the tone of the prose was very self-aware and tongue-in-cheek, a rare quality for fantasy books which I particularly appreciate. Again, very Diana Wynne Jones. The city descriptions were incredibly Ghibli-esque - I especially liked the very vivid yet fairy-tale-esque descriptions of markets by colour, smell, taste, etc. It reminded me a bit of Spirited Away.

I found the plot to be rather predictable, and the section titles giving away upcoming content were infuriating, but altogether I'm intrigued enough by the world to want to revisit it, so I'll be reading the sequel.

[ℓуηη_σƒ_νєℓαяιѕ]

I really liked this book, although I couldn't get into it right away. But once I didn't I couldn't put it down for long. My favorite character is Kell, love him to pieces! And I really liked Lila too. The right amount of spunk and grit to survive wherever she may be. Also I thought she really helped balance Kell's character. As for least favorite part of the book, was once they were in Red London and the darkness was spreading and I was like "oh no! his London is all going to go to hell and he doesn't even know!" However, it made me turn the pages faster to see if everything go t worked out :) One other part I didn't like was what happened to Barron :( I have such a weak spot for secondary characters. So that hurt. And my favorite part is when Lila comes back to save Kell from Holland back in Gray London. That's when I first started liking her character. She has a heart! Can't wait to read the next one!

[Madeleine]

Like others here, I loved the different Londons and got engulfed in the world-building. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. It's out, isn't it? I get confused - too many books, not enough time.

[ℓуηη_σƒ_νєℓαяιѕ]

Madeleine wrote: "Like others here, I loved the different Londons and got engulfed in the world-building. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. It's out, isn't it? I get confused - too many books, not enough ..."

Yup it's out . I really need to start it myself. Oh and the 3rd one is listed to come out late next February.

[Sarah]

Loved this one! It definitely took a little bit longer to get into as the first hundred pages or so were really used as set up to get the characters where they needed to be, but once it got going I couldn't put it down!

I also read the except for the final book and I am literally biting my nails at how nervous I am!