A Darker Shade of Magic - V. E. Schwab - 4 stars

[Robin P]

I have had this ebook since 2016, when it was getting a lot of attention. But I kept putting off reading it, maybe because of the YA designation. Then I had a challenge in another group to read the book on my TBR with the most GR ratings. I found it surprisingly good.

The magic system is original and there are some very evocative descriptions. There is a conflicted hero and a kick-ass heroine, and there isn't a lot of gooey romance. However, there is quite a lot of violence, and deliberately inflicted pain and cruelty. The underlying story of a talisman that gives power but corrupts its owner and must be returned/destroyed seems awfully familiar from LOTR, though they are probably all based on older tales and myths. It is clear at the end that the story isn't finished and I will probably read the sequels before too long.

[Joanne]

I enjoyed this series, 4 stars for all three. However, the last book was a challenge for me to get through. I am glad I finished it, though as everything got wrapped up nicely.