A Darker Shade of Magic

[Sofia, duckish things]

What were your thoughts on this series?

[Sofia, duckish things]

This was the first V.E. Schwab book I've read, and unfortunately, I thought it was rather bland.

[[deleted user]]

I haven't read this but most of my friends seem to hate this, oop.

[Elizabeth]

I'm currently reading it. It's okay so far.

[Kris]

I was bored it when I started, but got into it fast once Lila was introduced. Then I probably liked book 2 even more since there was more Lila and I loved the tournament stuff. Book 3 was still really engaging while I was reading it, but I didn't love the conclusion to the story.

[Sofia, duckish things]

I didn't really like Lila, just because she fell into the not-like-other-girls trope. The romance was also terrible, and the pacing was off for some reason.

[Kris]

She didn't feel like a "not like other girls" character to me since she was focused on herself, and there wasn't an overall tone of judging girls for liking girl things. I liked that she was just upfront a cutthroat out for herself. The romance wasn't the draw for me since it didn't get much focus. It was kind of an afterthought. They got to know each other throughout the book, then at the end it seems like Kell has feelings for her. It was a very aloof, offhanded sort of "relationship"

[Amelie]

I’ve only read the first book, but I plan on continuing the series. The magic system and idea of parallel Londons was really cool.

[Salma19 (And I Darken stan)]

I read the first one, liked it fine. I DNF’ed the second one 100 pages in because I was not invested in the characters. It was not terrible or anything. There are other series that interest me way more, so I prefer to move on quick.

[Elizabeth]

I finished it recently. It didn’t feel unique or new to me, and the characters were sorta bland.

[Kris]

Are there actually a plethora of stories taking places across multiple parallel dimensional versions of the same space that became divergent at a point in history? Would love recommendation, please! I haven't come across them and I'm definitely up for some more of this type fantasy (or sci-fi)

[Elizabeth]

When I said it didn't feel unique didn't mean the concept of the multiple Londons (I should have clarified). It was the plot structure and magic that felt less new to me. As for a book that does tackle the concept of divergent parallel universes, the book that comes to mind is Chosen Ones.

[Kris]

Ah, I see. Yeah, I read Chosen Ones because I was interested in it's subversion of the "chosen one" trope. It had promise when it focused on that, but the parallel worlds thing was actually the weaker part of that story for me. I guess I'll continue to keep an eye out.

[Sophia]

ok i just finished reading it (I posted a rant) but can we talk about how (view spoiler)[kell just throws Holland into Dark London like I was very confused of why he decided to do that (hide spoiler)]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Isabel ♡]

Lila is the worst character ever created. I hate her so much.

[B]

I finished this recently. Here’s my review- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[krista ☽✧]

i finished the first one recently and i personally did love the dynamic between Lia and Kel but i do need some more depht too the charracters , i also enjoy the different londonds and magic system. the lot started slow and i had too come in too it but like arround 50 % it picked up and i did enjoy it. i will be starting the second one probably in a few days. i am definitly curious because i feel the second does have too be better then the sequel for it too be a good series