A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab -- Restarting December 11th 2023

[✨Skye✨]

51% (view spoiler)[ Really liking the fast pace and action. Holland's attack and Lila's rescue was such an amazing scene, and I'm glad that Kell isn't invulnerable and the strongest of his kind like most YA heroes are. I don't know if I pity or hate Holland and I'm hoping heu can redeem himself in some way and escape the Dane's control. I'm really intrigued to see what they find in Black London. Also, if Barron is dead, I'm going to cry. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Alright there's a decent amount to read :D Yay thanks Skye haha.

[Maddie]

I mean, I do need to read Matilda, but I'm pleased there's more of this book XD Probably too much but oh well.

[Maddie]

I'm actually going to put this on pause... :p I am still super keen to read it but I do need to have priorities (challenge *cough cough*) so I'll pick this back up in a few days, if not tomorrow.

[✨Skye✨]

76% (trying to finish today as I'm behind buddy read schedule)
(view spoiler)[ So the main threat is either White London or the ghost magic of Black London. I can anticipate White London dying too, maybe later in the series. Still going well. I'm also waiting to see if there's a romance. I'm super sad about Barron :( and also hoping Rhy survives! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Oh wow XD You're really speeding through. I'll focus back on this later on. Hope you're enjoying it?

[✨Skye✨]

Yep, I should have already started 2 other books xD luckily I am enjoying it!

[Fuzaila]

Part 4. (view spoiler)[Lila was a bad-ass and I'm pretty sure there would be a collision to Kell soon. Astrid and Athos are Antaris? Or just that they can do magic? And Holland seems a bit distant, reserved almost. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Just finished :) Really liked it and would like to carry on with the series soon.

[Fuzaila]

Part 5. (view spoiler)[Lila steals from Kell! And whats with the stone? Why and who are trying to attack Kell? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Fuzaila wrote: "Part 4. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[They aren't Antaris. They just have magic. Everyone can do magic, but only Antari can deal with bone magic. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm not sure if I've read Part 5 yet so I'm not going to read that spoiler yet XD

[Ananya]

I'm back to reading this! Part 7 (view spoiler)[ I didn't view Holland as the bad guy till now tbh. I pitied him, having to put up with the twins - but not anymore. But I was a little glad for the stone to be out of Kell's hands into Holland, but in the end, Kell got it back. Also, seems like Lila has a... skill? for magic. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Awesome! Not sure when I'll pick it up.

[Fuzaila]

Part 10 (view spoiler)[ OMG whatever that stone helds, it isnt good. And Kell is kidnapped! Hope it isnt Holland's plan. Come on Lila, stay away from trouble.
Wonder how Rhy would feel if he knew. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Part 11 (view spoiler)[OMG the trio is in so much trouble. I didnt realise Astrid was this powerful. And still dont realise the extent of Kell's magic.
Despite everything, I cant sympathise with Holland. Where is he, hiding amidst all this chaos? I cant believe he is doing all the bidding for the twins. Ugh 😤 (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Part 12 (view spoiler)[Holland is as good as dead now. I really feel bad for him, but I still need time to forgive him completely. The stone seems to be consuming Kell and Lila is the only one who is still totally in her senses. Hope Rhy wakes up soon. And white London is super creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Part 8 (view spoiler)[ NOOOOOOOO I LOVED BARRON :( Honestly, I don't get Holland. Is he evil and acting under orders or just plain evil? I guess it doesn't make much of a difference ;-; AHH and that kiss between Lila and Kell? SO unexpected but so sweet :") (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I should get to this one in a few days. Going to try finish it before the end of the month.

[Ananya]

Part 9 (view spoiler)[ My first thought when Rhy looked at Lila was - THE COAT!! HE RECOGNISES THE COAT!! agh. And I hope Kell knows theres no way in hell Lila's going to let him leave her in Red London. Holland is freaking heartless - burning down the whole building?? And I don't feel good whenever Kell uses the stone - seeing that he also yearns for the stone when he isn't touching it. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Maddison wrote: "I should get to this one in a few days. Going to try finish it before the end of the month."

Yay!

[Maddie]

Yeah XD

[Fuzaila]

Maddison wrote: "I should get to this one in a few days. Going to try finish it before the end of the month."

Yeah, do try. Right now I am wishing I had finished this one sooner because its just that kindof book

[Fuzaila]

Ananya wrote: "Part 9 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Aha, I didnt catch that! Ofcoz he recognised the coat. I was wondering all around why would he have been staring at her. 😅
And yeah I was worried about the stone too. But also sure that as long as he resists, it can't consume him completely.
I really wanted to love Holland but it is difficult to forgive everything he has done. Still I guess Kell is right. It is just luck that it was Holland and not him chosen to stay in White London. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Finished. (view spoiler)[ The twins are dead and the stone has lost its power. I wonder though, if all it took to dispel its power was a simple spell, why didnt Kell do it sooner? Was it just because he didnt think it would work? Or because it hadn't consumed him as much as it had in the last moment.?
And Holland is gone with the stone too. I worry how that would turn out. Kell also said that Vitari hasnt 'died', just dispelled. So wouldnt it return? Take another shape?
So many questions! Excited to read the next book 😁 (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yeah I really enjoy what I've read too! Just need to finish off some simpler reads first.

[Ananya]

Part 10 (view spoiler)[ I feel like all the new characters introduced so far are only introduced so that they can be killed off later :") But I kind of love it. So it seems like the ones possessed by the black magic are trying to... spread it? Creepy and horrifying. (hide spoiler)]

[Tavia]

I about to start this and hope I finish before 11:59pm my time XD

[Ananya]

Part 11 (view spoiler)[ I did not see that coming - Astrid coming to possess Rhy?? AND NOW we finally know what Holland had given Rhy in the first scene with Parrish. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Part 12 (view spoiler)[ As much as I love Rhy, I really wish Kell had left him dead. Now as a result of this, they have a soul bind?? And the black stone is stuck to Kells hand?? And who knows if Rhy will wake up with two black eyes. And even though the scene with Holland made me a little sad, I'm not sad he's dead - but then again he apparently still has a heartbeat? So I don't know what to expect with him (hide spoiler)]

[Monika]

Okay ... Finally M getting better & better. Finished 2 books which I had to hold due to my health.

Now i am So EXCITED to start this series .... ❤❤❤❤
Will start tonight.
YIPPPPIIIEEEEEEeeeeee........😍😍😍

[Ananya]

Part 13 (view spoiler)[ YAY! LELL IS FREE OF THE STONE! But what does this mean for Rhy though... And I wonder what consequences will the introduction of black magic in Red London result in. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ AHHH RHY IS ALIVE!!! IM SO HAPPY. AND no cliffhanger??? I don't know what to expect for the next book then D: (hide spoiler)] I NEED THE NEXT BOOK!!

[Monika]

Book 1 : Part 1 (view spoiler)[Now Kell is the main character who has capability of travelling through Londons : 3 are existing now whereas there was another one ealier Black London. Although it seems painful since he has to cut himself and draw his blood to pass through Londons. Now Plz tell me who is Rhy ? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Hey Monika :D

[Monika]

Hey Maddie, i finally started :)

[Maddie]

Awesome! You could have saved it till next month XD

[Monika]

Maddison wrote: "Awesome! You could have saved it till next month XD"

I can do it now as well ... what say 😉

[Maddie]

It'd give us a good lot of points next month :p ;)

[Monika]

You are right ... I will hold this one then and i will read the whole series next month only :)

[Maddie]

XD Just an option! You can do what you wish. Just planning on getting the most out of next month haha. We gonna win this!

[Monika]

Of course we are gonna win this !
I have tons of TBR and in hand books ... will pick up something else to read for now till 31st July .... cant live without reading everyday! 😍

[Maddie]

Haha I know that feeling. Thanks for putting this one on pause :) I just like having someone to discuss with.

Are you reading all 3 next month?

[Monika]

Its my pleasure Maddie :)

Well Yes ... i generally read a series in one shot ... as in one book after the other. How do you do it?

[Maddie]

Ah right, go you!

I tend to leave massive gaps :p As all of the books I read are buddy reads, I generally don't leave enough time in my schedule to read series in a row XD So typically one a month or so. But next month I'll try get through the first 2 of this. I just have so much to read.

[Maddie]

We can talk over on Viennetta if you like.

[Monika]

Maddison wrote: "We can talk over on Viennetta if you like."

Sure!

[Maddie]

Awesome :)

[Maddie]

Ananya wrote: "Part 5 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I'm pleased that they met now too :D Just a little frustrated for Kell haha.

And if there was a tracking spell on the fabric around the cloth, couldn't he just get rid of the cloth? Or was the rune on the actual stone? (hide spoiler)]

Just picked it up again for a little bit. Stopping again.

[Monika]

I will be restarting this series in a day or two ... anyone still reading?