A Darker Shade of Magic (July 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Alex & Jacob, Kristina, Cat, Jen K

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the A Darker Shade of Magic Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/01
July 01: Pages (1-50)
July 02: Pages (50-100)
July 03: Pages (100-150)
July 04: Pages (150-200)

Week of 07/05
July 05: Pages )200-250)
July 06: Pages (250-300)
July 07: Pages (300-350)
July 08: Pages (350-end)

PARTICIPANTS
~ Alex
~ Jacob
~ Kristina
~ Cat
~Jen K

[aikaterine]

Hey guys, started this right after midnight and read the first ~48 pages!

So far so good. (view spoiler)[Something weird is already going on with Holland and the prince, hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Jen K]

My copy is still "in transit" at the library. Hope it arrives soon. Excited to read this one!

[Jacob]

I just started, and I’m really liking it so far!

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Page 48

(view spoiler)[I'm enjoying it too! I knew I would, as I've loved all of Victoria's other novels, but I'm happy it's going well.

I really like Kell! He's not afraid to get on people's nerves (i.e. the candle thing and the Enthusiast) and I'm perfectly happy to be following him as our protagonist. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristina]

I am on page 85. The premise is really interesting. I do like Kell as our protagonist. I am intrigued by our pickpocket gal Lila. I have only read one other Schwab book, but her female characters seem to have the same strong willed, don't make me cut you kind of vibe. It's refreshing.

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Page 200

(view spoiler)[I'm still loving this. I love the way V. E. Schwab writes and I love this cast of characters!

I would love to know more about Holland. I definitely don't like him, but he's a bit of an intriguing character. I'd love to know how much of what he does is himself and how much is his orders. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Page 300

(view spoiler)[I was enjoying it before, but now it's really starting to get good. It sounds like the whole family is possessed, for lack of a better word, but Astrid/maybe her brother. I'm loving Kell and Lila as MCs and it's hard to put this book down! (hide spoiler)]

[Jen K]

I'm so behind but should be able to pick up my book tomorrow. Hopefully I can read over the weekend.

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Just finished! I'll post my review once I finish writing it.

(view spoiler)[Lila has a fake eye? Antari confirmed. (hide spoiler)]

[Jen K]

I finally started yesterday after picking up my book. I only managed Part 1, about 40 pages?. It's a bit confusing but interesting so far. I'm intrigued to learn more about this world/s.

[Jen K]

Just finished Part 4, page 109, and those White London twins are nasty. I have a feeling that the lady who found Kell is going to be the start of trouble.

[Ryan]

A couple questions:

(Chapter 10) A royal guard, under Astrid's influence, kills Fletcher just after they take Kell from the shop. Why? I can't see any obvious reason for it.

(Chapter 13) Athos summons a snake with the stone, which strikes the king after he fails to dispel it. Why does it fail for him here? Before, it worked flawlessly for him.

[Kristina]

This book was interesting. I enjoyed some parts more than others. Overall, glad to have read it.

[Jen K]

Me too. I was intrigued by the story but not as engaged as I expected to be. It just seemed a bit too non-stop with everything. I hope to read more to see where it goes though.

[aikaterine]

Hey guys, so finally finished this a couple days ago, haha, and I've got to say it was good. It didn't blow my mind, but I certainly enjoyed it.

However, I can't see (view spoiler)[Kell and Lila (hide spoiler)] together no matter how much I try. No spark there, for me!