Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Tor, a Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2018, c2017.
Pages
624
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: Londons fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire, and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes struggle. The direct sequel to A Gathering of Shadows, and the final audiobook in the Shades of Magic epic fantasy series, A Conjuring of Light sees the newly minted New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab reach a thrilling conclusion concerning the fate of beloved protagonists�??and old foes. Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-02-21
Physical description
624 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
9780765387479
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Charliwriter
This is the third (and possibly not the final?) book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. What a way to end this! I feel everything wrapped up nicely and left room for more if wanted or left alone. I will definitely read this trilogy again. This book picks right up where the last one left us, as if you
Our characters Kell, Lila, Rhy, Holland and Alucard continue to grow in this book. The continued trials they face either for themselves and or the group and or kingdom. King Maxim and Queen Emira have taken a bigger and important role in this novel for both their kingdom and son (s). There are other secondary characters who also help with the growth of Rhy specifically. The antagonist (villain) of the trilogy, Osaron, also grew in this book. His power and curious mind turned him dangerous. Osaron is a character who you question on how they will stop him. You know there is a weakness, you as a reader can feel it and see it, with the clues given, but how would the characters use it against him. I believe the characters who grew the most were Rhy and Osaron. I feel as this book shifted and focused on Rhy and Osaron.
This time we head more to sea and explore a pirate’s black market, the Farase Stras. Black markets are not new, but this one was interesting and a neat idea on how it was function. I enjoyed the market always moving and to find the coordinates you needed a certain map. I would have loved to explore this market more, but given what was going on, we could not. The way you had to arrive by either being excepted or denied and the way you leave with only one item, made this market also intriguing. I can see why it would be hard for a thief.
I would recommend this book and trilogy to anyone who loves fantasy.
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never picked up another book. The excitement never wavered. The tempo of this book starts quick and continues with few slow parts for a breather. This helps if you are reading this back to back. Our characters Kell, Lila, Rhy, Holland and Alucard continue to grow in this book. The continued trials they face either for themselves and or the group and or kingdom. King Maxim and Queen Emira have taken a bigger and important role in this novel for both their kingdom and son (s). There are other secondary characters who also help with the growth of Rhy specifically. The antagonist (villain) of the trilogy, Osaron, also grew in this book. His power and curious mind turned him dangerous. Osaron is a character who you question on how they will stop him. You know there is a weakness, you as a reader can feel it and see it, with the clues given, but how would the characters use it against him. I believe the characters who grew the most were Rhy and Osaron. I feel as this book shifted and focused on Rhy and Osaron.
This time we head more to sea and explore a pirate’s black market, the Farase Stras. Black markets are not new, but this one was interesting and a neat idea on how it was function. I enjoyed the market always moving and to find the coordinates you needed a certain map. I would have loved to explore this market more, but given what was going on, we could not. The way you had to arrive by either being excepted or denied and the way you leave with only one item, made this market also intriguing. I can see why it would be hard for a thief.
I would recommend this book and trilogy to anyone who loves fantasy.
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LibraryThing member jdifelice
I can't believe it's over. When I read the last word, I closed the book and then just hugged it. I feel like I just lost my best friends.
Enough being dramatic..
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! This whole series is AMAZING. V.E. Schwab is a magnificent writer. The way this story unfolded was just lovely. I
I really enjoyed where the story went in this novel. I liked how Osaron was not an easy foe, and even though he was very powerful, he still had realistic flaws and his defeat was a good one. I liked how Kell, Holland, and Lila had to work together and become a team. I actually really enjoyed Holland's point of view. It was really interesting to see where he came from and what he went through.
Also, Schwab did not pull any punches. From the get go, my heart was just feeling all the things. I had to keep reading, but at the same time, I didn't want to because I didn't want bad things to happen. It was just really good - which I've said so many times, but I just can't say it enough.
EPIC CONCLUSION to one of my all time favourite series.
ALL OF THE STARS, I loved everything about this book. I liked how we got to see Red London, little snippets of Grey London and White London, and we even got to sail again :) All of the elements I liked about the first two books were in this one and so much more.
READ THIS SERIES
Enough being dramatic..
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! This whole series is AMAZING. V.E. Schwab is a magnificent writer. The way this story unfolded was just lovely. I
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loved seeing new sides to characters and really getting to know them more, I loved the trials and struggles they went through to get to who they are. I just really felt like I was friends with them. SO GOOD.I really enjoyed where the story went in this novel. I liked how Osaron was not an easy foe, and even though he was very powerful, he still had realistic flaws and his defeat was a good one. I liked how Kell, Holland, and Lila had to work together and become a team. I actually really enjoyed Holland's point of view. It was really interesting to see where he came from and what he went through.
Also, Schwab did not pull any punches. From the get go, my heart was just feeling all the things. I had to keep reading, but at the same time, I didn't want to because I didn't want bad things to happen. It was just really good - which I've said so many times, but I just can't say it enough.
EPIC CONCLUSION to one of my all time favourite series.
ALL OF THE STARS, I loved everything about this book. I liked how we got to see Red London, little snippets of Grey London and White London, and we even got to sail again :) All of the elements I liked about the first two books were in this one and so much more.
READ THIS SERIES
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LibraryThing member pennma05
Epic conclusion to a fantastic trilogy! I love these characters so much! Couldn't have asked for a better, more thrilling finale.
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy a lot. I found the first book enjoyable but nothing special but I felt that book 2 and 3 were much better.
LibraryThing member Banoczi_Henrietta
i have been waiting for so long, but, and it pains me to say this, i was quite disappointed in this book. it was way too long, which i normally don't have an issue with but it just felt drawn out and there was a bunch of unnecessary happenings that did nothing for the story.
i never understood why
i liked the fact that we got chapters from other characters' perspectives, some that we hadn't seen before. i especially liked emira's chapters. but there were also a lot that i found boring and/or just didn't care for.
to be fair, it did make me cry a few times, but, again, even the more emotional scenes felt unnecessary, or predictable, which wasn't very satisfying.
rhy is still my favourite character. and he deserved better. and ultimately holland is the real hero of the story ahhaahah. but the rest of the characters, apart from kell and alucard, i just didn't really care for.
in the end, i definitely did not love this book as much as i had the previous two, i found it quite unsatisfying and predictable, and it somehow didn't even have the same feeling/atmosphere of the previous two, apart from the first around 25%.
i never understood why
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so often authors end trilogies with just killing everyone. and i definitely do not understand why Schwab decided to do the same thing. it's a shame, i was seriously expecting a better ending.i liked the fact that we got chapters from other characters' perspectives, some that we hadn't seen before. i especially liked emira's chapters. but there were also a lot that i found boring and/or just didn't care for.
to be fair, it did make me cry a few times, but, again, even the more emotional scenes felt unnecessary, or predictable, which wasn't very satisfying.
rhy is still my favourite character. and he deserved better. and ultimately holland is the real hero of the story ahhaahah. but the rest of the characters, apart from kell and alucard, i just didn't really care for.
in the end, i definitely did not love this book as much as i had the previous two, i found it quite unsatisfying and predictable, and it somehow didn't even have the same feeling/atmosphere of the previous two, apart from the first around 25%.
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LibraryThing member MickyFine
And this is how you give an awesome fantasy trilogy an ending entirely worthy of the series. There's epic battles, quiet character development, and all of the major threads are given satisfying conclusions. I loved this book from the opening page and I sighed happily when I finished the last one.
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An obvious must if you've read the first two books. And if you haven't started this trilogy yet, get on it friend. Show Less
LibraryThing member Iira
Best of the series so far. The characters are more mature and less annoying. This one mainly concentrates on one of the worlds, so not too much jumping around.
LibraryThing member foggidawn
This book is the conclusion of a fantastic fantasy series, and I can't possibly review it in a spoiler-free manner. I'll just say that I enjoyed it very much, and would recommend this series to all fans of the genre.
LibraryThing member Elysianfield
The book starts soon after where the previous book A Gathering of Shadows ended. A powerful enemy from another London moves to Red London. Kell, Lila, Alucard and Holland team up to beat this magical thing that thinks it’s a god.
We learn more about Holland and Alucard through flash backs and I
I don’t know what more to say. I can’t believe the series ends here! I thought this was a good ending but there were some loose ends that I keep hoping that someday there will be more books.
We learn more about Holland and Alucard through flash backs and I
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loved learning how Holland came to be who he is. Alucard started slowly growing on me. As did Lila, kind of at least. She’s still too arrogant and reckless but bit less than before. I didn’t want to hit her all the time so that’s progress… Rhy has grown up and become more ready to be a king. Kell has learned that he still has a lot to learn about magic. I was hoping we would have learned more about his past and it was so close.I don’t know what more to say. I can’t believe the series ends here! I thought this was a good ending but there were some loose ends that I keep hoping that someday there will be more books.
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LibraryThing member lissabeth21
I really like that this series continually surprised me, most especially this last book. The author never took the easy way out, but kept building complexity and layering emotion. Really well done.
LibraryThing member BethYacoub
what an amazing rollercoaster of feels....Mrs. Schwab is a Master!! I am such a jumble of emotions right now that I find it hard to collect my thoughts BUT I'll try because this book's praises need to be heard.
“Are you strong enough to win?” she asked. Was he? This wasn’t a tournament
I must be a fool because I am certain, certain you'll fall in love with this book. This book...oh..this book was everything a person could hope for in a final installment!! The prose were beautiful, evocative and poignant to the point where I found myself taking breaks to appreciate what I had just read. I highlighted so much I had trouble picking which to add here and which should be left as nestled jewels to be discovered at the author's behest. The world building was mind blowing and the character development too perfect for mere words. There was a CRAZY amount of action starring one of the most badass, impossible to kill female heroines I have encountered to date. Did I mention there was action galore? The romance was perfectly meted as to not overpower the awesomeness that was the solid plot. This plot was a thing of beauty BUT it did fizzle out a bit in the middle, picking up again when they all got on the pirate boat...YAY more Pirating!
It seemed like A Darker Shade of Magic was Kell's story, A Gathering of Shadows was Lila's and A Conjuring Of Light was Holland's time to shine/redeem/explain his backstory. I'm a sucker for a good "Bad- Guy turns out to be a misunderstood, morally ambivalent demi-hero" tale and I'm telling you now that Holland's story will give you the feels whether you want them to or not. Lila and Kell stoically fell in love and plucked my heart strings as I am sure they will with you.
"she’d already taken two Londons as her own. She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician. She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying. She was still a mystery. And he loved her."
This might have been Holland's time to shine but each character had their time in the limelight, showcasing their abilities as well as having their stories wrapped up tightly. I LOVED the push and pull of Rhy & Alucard's Love tug-of-war just as much as Kell & Lila's quiet adoration. I even relished the sarcastic bickering between Kell and Alucard and the undeniable love they both had for Rhy. Oh Rhy...That is all I'll say about him, his story still a shard in my heart.
The ending was amazingly inclusive though...usually a bonus. Every character met their fate with dignity, poise, snark and a touch of sadness for all that had been lost... for not every ending is a happy one.
"What are we drinking to?” “The living,” said Rhy. “The dead,” said Alucard and Lila at the same time. “We’re being thorough,” added Rhy.
The feels this book will coax from you will be intense, you have been warned! It has been days since I closed this book and tried to move on but its hold is still firm still loving.
"Myths do not happen all at once. They do not spring forth whole into the world. They form slowly, rolled between the hands of time until their edges smooth, until the saying of the story gives enough weight to the words—to the memories—to keep them rolling on their own."
This might not be the birth of a myth but it IS a story you'll not soon forget. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have.
Anoshe!
“Are you strong enough to win?” she asked. Was he? This wasn’t a tournament
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magician. Wasn’t even a sliver of magic like Vitari. Osaron had destroyed an entire world. Changed another on a whim. “I don’t know,” he said honestly. Lila flashed a glimmer of a smile, sharp as glass. “Good,” she answered, pushing open the door. “Only fools are certain.”I must be a fool because I am certain, certain you'll fall in love with this book. This book...oh..this book was everything a person could hope for in a final installment!! The prose were beautiful, evocative and poignant to the point where I found myself taking breaks to appreciate what I had just read. I highlighted so much I had trouble picking which to add here and which should be left as nestled jewels to be discovered at the author's behest. The world building was mind blowing and the character development too perfect for mere words. There was a CRAZY amount of action starring one of the most badass, impossible to kill female heroines I have encountered to date. Did I mention there was action galore? The romance was perfectly meted as to not overpower the awesomeness that was the solid plot. This plot was a thing of beauty BUT it did fizzle out a bit in the middle, picking up again when they all got on the pirate boat...YAY more Pirating!
It seemed like A Darker Shade of Magic was Kell's story, A Gathering of Shadows was Lila's and A Conjuring Of Light was Holland's time to shine/redeem/explain his backstory. I'm a sucker for a good "Bad- Guy turns out to be a misunderstood, morally ambivalent demi-hero" tale and I'm telling you now that Holland's story will give you the feels whether you want them to or not. Lila and Kell stoically fell in love and plucked my heart strings as I am sure they will with you.
"she’d already taken two Londons as her own. She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician. She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying. She was still a mystery. And he loved her."
This might have been Holland's time to shine but each character had their time in the limelight, showcasing their abilities as well as having their stories wrapped up tightly. I LOVED the push and pull of Rhy & Alucard's Love tug-of-war just as much as Kell & Lila's quiet adoration. I even relished the sarcastic bickering between Kell and Alucard and the undeniable love they both had for Rhy. Oh Rhy...That is all I'll say about him, his story still a shard in my heart.
The ending was amazingly inclusive though...usually a bonus. Every character met their fate with dignity, poise, snark and a touch of sadness for all that had been lost... for not every ending is a happy one.
"What are we drinking to?” “The living,” said Rhy. “The dead,” said Alucard and Lila at the same time. “We’re being thorough,” added Rhy.
The feels this book will coax from you will be intense, you have been warned! It has been days since I closed this book and tried to move on but its hold is still firm still loving.
"Myths do not happen all at once. They do not spring forth whole into the world. They form slowly, rolled between the hands of time until their edges smooth, until the saying of the story gives enough weight to the words—to the memories—to keep them rolling on their own."
This might not be the birth of a myth but it IS a story you'll not soon forget. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have.
Anoshe!
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LibraryThing member AmalieTurner
Oh My Gosh... This series is EVERYTHING. I don't think I have ever read a series that had me this hooked. The writing is incredible, the plot is fast-paced, the characters are so fleshed out. I wanted to read everything as fast as possible but didn't want it to end. This is how all book series
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should be. I love the way Schwab introduced relationships but didn't make them happen right away. They emerged slowly and felt so real because of it. I was even begging for them to progress more quickly because I wanted these characters to be happy. Even once the relationships were defined, the characters still maintained their own identities. I can't say enough good things. This series is incredible. I loved everything about it!!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: Spoilers for the previous two books in this trilogy.
This is the third book in the historical fiction/fantasy series that began with A Darker Shade of Magic and continued with A Gathering of Shadows. In those books, set in 1819, we learned there were four Londons in four separate worlds that
This book begins at the end of the Essen Tasch, or Element Games, which is a yearly competition in Red London among magicians. Lila has no time to celebrate with the victor; she races to White London because in Red London, Prince Rhy was dying, which meant that somewhere, presumably White London, Kell was dying. In the way Lila typically responded, “There was no time to think, no time to be afraid, and certainly no time to wait.” It helps that Lila figures out she, like Kell, is an Antari, or magician who has dominion not only over the elements, but over blood, giving them the ability to move across worlds.
When Lila arrives at the White London palace, she finds Kell is being attacked by Holland, the Antari from White London, who is now possessed by the Shadow King, named Osaron, of Black London. Holland thought he could control Osaron, but he was losing hold: the shadow king always wanted more, grew stronger every day, and craved chaos and unlimited power and control.
Lila manages to rescue Kell but they are far from out of danger. Using Holland’s body, Osaron goes to Red London, wanting to feed off this London full of magic and life. Osaron starts siphoning energy from everyone he touches and infecting their minds so that they become his puppets. As he takes over more and more bodies, Red London's King Maxim orders the palace closed and warded by magic to keep those inside safe. But he knows it will not stop Osaron for long.
Outside the palace, the city is decaying, because nature is being overwhelmed by magic. Meanwhile, Rhy shows his noble character by insisting on leaving the safety of the palace to bring back those not yet affected by Osaron; Rhy is immune because of his ties to Kell. A few others discover they are naturally immune as well; they are called “silvers” because of the silver scars that cover them after fighting off Osaron’s influence.
Those inside the palace struggle over ideas to stop Osaron, to contain him in someone or something that can be isolated and confined forever. Tieren, the chief priest, tells them there is a magic device called an Inheritor that absorbs all magic, if they could only find one. But time is running out.
The very prospect of the chance that none of them will make it out alive, and/or intact, gives them all the impetus to confess their feelings.
Kell tells Lila what he thinks of her, and Alucard shares the truth with Rhy about why he ran from him three years before.
As for Lila, she finds that Kell makes her feel safe, but she struggles against caring for people:
“Because caring was a thing with claws. It sank them in, and didn’t let go. Caring hurt more than a knife to the leg, more than a few broken ribs, more than anything that bled or broke and healed again. . . . It was better not to care - Lila tried not to care - but sometimes, people got in.”
It all might not matter however. Even the Antari banded together may not be a match for Osaron. But Lila knows that “the trick to winning a fight isn’t strength, but strategy.” And she will never give up if she can help it.
Discussion: In this book, we learn more about the charming and resourceful Alucard, and what the nature of his magical power is.
We also find out the backstory of what happened to Holland, and what happened between Rhy and Alucard. We learn more about the king and queen of Red London, and what Kell's place with them has been. And we see Lila blossom and grow and take charge of her fate, and the fate of those around her. As Kell said of Lila:
“She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician.
She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying.
She was a still a mystery.”
The ending is perfection.
Evaluation: It’s so sad to come to the end of a great fantasy series. Not only do you miss the characters you have come to love, but you despair of ever feeling that love toward another series. Thankfully, new ones do come along, as in fact this one did for me, after mourning the end of the Robin Hobbs "Farseer Trilogy."
What a heroine the author created in Lila Bard. She is absolutely unforgettable. And there is nothing but a bare outline anywhere about her looks, but rather, the focus is on who she is as a person. Moreover, the others in the book seem to be of all races and gender preferences, but this is entirely unremarkable in the book aside from a way of identifying different characters.
This trilogy is highly recommended for fantasy fans!
This is the third book in the historical fiction/fantasy series that began with A Darker Shade of Magic and continued with A Gathering of Shadows. In those books, set in 1819, we learned there were four Londons in four separate worlds that
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could be traversed by magic only available to a few.This book begins at the end of the Essen Tasch, or Element Games, which is a yearly competition in Red London among magicians. Lila has no time to celebrate with the victor; she races to White London because in Red London, Prince Rhy was dying, which meant that somewhere, presumably White London, Kell was dying. In the way Lila typically responded, “There was no time to think, no time to be afraid, and certainly no time to wait.” It helps that Lila figures out she, like Kell, is an Antari, or magician who has dominion not only over the elements, but over blood, giving them the ability to move across worlds.
When Lila arrives at the White London palace, she finds Kell is being attacked by Holland, the Antari from White London, who is now possessed by the Shadow King, named Osaron, of Black London. Holland thought he could control Osaron, but he was losing hold: the shadow king always wanted more, grew stronger every day, and craved chaos and unlimited power and control.
Lila manages to rescue Kell but they are far from out of danger. Using Holland’s body, Osaron goes to Red London, wanting to feed off this London full of magic and life. Osaron starts siphoning energy from everyone he touches and infecting their minds so that they become his puppets. As he takes over more and more bodies, Red London's King Maxim orders the palace closed and warded by magic to keep those inside safe. But he knows it will not stop Osaron for long.
Outside the palace, the city is decaying, because nature is being overwhelmed by magic. Meanwhile, Rhy shows his noble character by insisting on leaving the safety of the palace to bring back those not yet affected by Osaron; Rhy is immune because of his ties to Kell. A few others discover they are naturally immune as well; they are called “silvers” because of the silver scars that cover them after fighting off Osaron’s influence.
Those inside the palace struggle over ideas to stop Osaron, to contain him in someone or something that can be isolated and confined forever. Tieren, the chief priest, tells them there is a magic device called an Inheritor that absorbs all magic, if they could only find one. But time is running out.
The very prospect of the chance that none of them will make it out alive, and/or intact, gives them all the impetus to confess their feelings.
Kell tells Lila what he thinks of her, and Alucard shares the truth with Rhy about why he ran from him three years before.
As for Lila, she finds that Kell makes her feel safe, but she struggles against caring for people:
“Because caring was a thing with claws. It sank them in, and didn’t let go. Caring hurt more than a knife to the leg, more than a few broken ribs, more than anything that bled or broke and healed again. . . . It was better not to care - Lila tried not to care - but sometimes, people got in.”
It all might not matter however. Even the Antari banded together may not be a match for Osaron. But Lila knows that “the trick to winning a fight isn’t strength, but strategy.” And she will never give up if she can help it.
Discussion: In this book, we learn more about the charming and resourceful Alucard, and what the nature of his magical power is.
We also find out the backstory of what happened to Holland, and what happened between Rhy and Alucard. We learn more about the king and queen of Red London, and what Kell's place with them has been. And we see Lila blossom and grow and take charge of her fate, and the fate of those around her. As Kell said of Lila:
“She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician.
She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying.
She was a still a mystery.”
The ending is perfection.
Evaluation: It’s so sad to come to the end of a great fantasy series. Not only do you miss the characters you have come to love, but you despair of ever feeling that love toward another series. Thankfully, new ones do come along, as in fact this one did for me, after mourning the end of the Robin Hobbs "Farseer Trilogy."
What a heroine the author created in Lila Bard. She is absolutely unforgettable. And there is nothing but a bare outline anywhere about her looks, but rather, the focus is on who she is as a person. Moreover, the others in the book seem to be of all races and gender preferences, but this is entirely unremarkable in the book aside from a way of identifying different characters.
This trilogy is highly recommended for fantasy fans!
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LibraryThing member ssimon2000
Not as good as the second book, but a good ending for the series.
And all I could think about during the final battle was, "Phenomenal cosmic powers, itty-bitty living space!" from Aladdin. :D
And all I could think about during the final battle was, "Phenomenal cosmic powers, itty-bitty living space!" from Aladdin. :D
LibraryThing member bell7
The third book in the trilogy picks up right where book 2 left off, with Kell imprisoned and his magic drained from him, Rhy dying (again), and Lila running pell-mell to save Kell. Holland has allowed a being called Osaron, really magic incarnate from the dead Black London, into his world to try to
I cannot say enough good things about this trilogy. The world-building is tremendous, the characters are great, there's a bit of humor thrown in. It's just wonderful. The way this book ended left me completely satisfied and with a smile on my face.
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save it, but what Osaron really wants is more - Red London, and all its magic to be precise. Kell, Rhy, Lila and their friends will have to pull out all the stops in their bid to save their land from him.I cannot say enough good things about this trilogy. The world-building is tremendous, the characters are great, there's a bit of humor thrown in. It's just wonderful. The way this book ended left me completely satisfied and with a smile on my face.
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LibraryThing member donnijo
I loved this book, this series. I am sad that I listened to the first 2 books as audio books. I started this one as an audio book then had to go to the library to get the book because I felt like I was missing so much. As soon as I had the book in my hand I was take over by it. I loved it. Every
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moment. Would read this again! Show Less
LibraryThing member renbedell
The last installment of the Shades of Magic series continues to follow Kell and Lila in the aftermath of the last book. The second book did a great set up, making A Conjuring of Light to have a different tone then the previous books. This book follows the supporting characters almost as much as the
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main protagonists, which is nice at times but I always found Kell and Lila to be the most captivating. It is a very good book and a very satisfying conclusion to the series. The only negative about it is that there is a lot more filler then needed, especially with the urgency that the book starts with. Show Less
LibraryThing member passion4reading
In this final volume of the Darker Shade of Magic series, all the plot threads come together and end in an edge-of-your-seat finale. There's a lot of darkness and death in this book, but also relief and hope.
While A Darker Shade of Magic was Kell's book, and A Gathering of Shadows Lila's, this wasRhy's and Holland's book. I was surprised quite how much my perception of the latter changed within the course of the novel.
An affecting and fitting ending. Anoshe.
While A Darker Shade of Magic was Kell's book, and A Gathering of Shadows Lila's, this was
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An affecting and fitting ending. Anoshe.
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LibraryThing member purpledog
The third installment of Shades of Magic was just as good as the first two. I especially loved that we learned more about Holland. The plot moved along quickly and the twists kept me listening when I really should have been doing other things.
The ending was a little predictable but the story was
I have this book in hard cover but decided to listen to it on Audible and the narrator gets 5 stars for the emotional portrayal the characters.
The ending was a little predictable but the story was
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just so good I didn't care. I highly recommend this series to all lovers of Fantasy. I have this book in hard cover but decided to listen to it on Audible and the narrator gets 5 stars for the emotional portrayal the characters.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
Picking up where A Gathering of Shadows left off, Lila Bard takes off after Kell who was lured to White London by Holland whose body is now controlled by Osaron, the shadow king. Kell is imprisoned and losing strength and power, causing Prince Rhy to struggle for his life back in Red London,
Schwab keeps the pages turning with action, adventure, schemes and magic, as Kell and company desperately seek a way to defeat Osaron. Secondary characters receive the most development which may be a disappointment to some readers but the relationships between main characters also have satisfying storylines. Unfortunately, Osaron becomes almost cartoonish in his desire to make everyone kneel to his power without ever conveying exactly what he hopes to accomplish. "Oh, he would do such wondrous things." Okay... but what? What would ever satisfy this abhorrent creature's desire for power?
Some of the world-building is convenient for the story to progress but it's also fun for characters other than Lila to learn about the potential - and limits - of the kind of magic that has not been necessary for a long time. If this is the finale of the trilogy, the author leaves a few dangling strands. But if it's not the end...
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effectively cutting short Alucard Emery's celebration after winning the magicians' tournament. Meanwhile, Osaron uses Holland's body to infiltrate Red London and begin spreading his formidable, possibly unbeatable, dark magic.Schwab keeps the pages turning with action, adventure, schemes and magic, as Kell and company desperately seek a way to defeat Osaron. Secondary characters receive the most development which may be a disappointment to some readers but the relationships between main characters also have satisfying storylines. Unfortunately, Osaron becomes almost cartoonish in his desire to make everyone kneel to his power without ever conveying exactly what he hopes to accomplish. "Oh, he would do such wondrous things." Okay... but what? What would ever satisfy this abhorrent creature's desire for power?
Some of the world-building is convenient for the story to progress but it's also fun for characters other than Lila to learn about the potential - and limits - of the kind of magic that has not been necessary for a long time. If this is the finale of the trilogy, the author leaves a few dangling strands. But if it's not the end...
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LibraryThing member justagirlwithabook
I finally finished the third and final book of the Shades of Magic trilogy, and it was every bit as good as I hoped it would be. This one had all the elements in a final book that you would want as a reader: plenty of action and suspense, continued character development, flashbacks and backstories
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to characters that help to fill in the gaps, and a fair share of heartbreaks but also joyful triumphs. If you aren't afraid of fantasy and some world building, you enjoy a fair dose of magical elements in your books and a bit of traveling between worlds, and you can appreciate well-rounded characters whose stories are complex and authentic ... this trilogy is for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ray_
My thoughts are a jumbled mess right now.
This book screwed with my head!!!!
RTC
This book screwed with my head!!!!
RTC
LibraryThing member Jayeless
This novel had me seriously questioning my recollection of the first two novels. I remember thinking that they were so good, and then this one was just… somewhat mediocre.
Perhaps it was a terrible mistake to let so much time pass between reading the second and third books? By the time I started
Then, from about that 60% mark, things started picking up. I wouldn't say I loved the book from that point on, but at least I felt engaged. I'd give this book 2.5 stars if Goodreads let me, but it doesn't really deserve a mere 2, so I'll round up.
I mean, there are good things about this book. The prose is high-quality. The system of magic is still interesting, although (and this might be because it's been two and a half years since I read the last instalment) I was never fully clear on what the actual limits were on what the main characters could do. You have a bit of ordinary, non-magical conflict between rival kingdoms in the world of Red London, which seemed a bit more interesting than the magical conflict, and exposed more interesting world-building. As I said before, Rhy goes through some interesting character development (considering he was never exactly my favourite character in this series), while Holland is just consistently this book's best character, from beginning to end. Lots of depth to him, darkness but also softness.
Overall, though, I feel relieved to have finally made it to the end of this book, and glad to have finished the series. (Jan 2019)
Perhaps it was a terrible mistake to let so much time pass between reading the second and third books? By the time I started
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this one, I'd entirely forgotten that the previous book had ended on a cliffhanger, and I spent the first few chapters trying to remember what was going on. The characters didn't seem as compelling as I remembered them being. Other reviews have said that with the exceptions of Rhy and Holland, not a lot of character development goes on here, and that is true. Then between about 10%–60% of the way through the book, the plot progresses so slowly and it takes seemingly forever for the characters to decide what to do about the major problem facing them. Once they finally get an idea, they take detour after detour on their way to pursuing that idea. There are random chapters from the POV of minor characters who aren't even in the same London where the bulk of the action is happening, but a parallel one where nothing much is happening. It all just dragged so much, and it was hard to motivate myself to keep reading.Then, from about that 60% mark, things started picking up. I wouldn't say I loved the book from that point on, but at least I felt engaged. I'd give this book 2.5 stars if Goodreads let me, but it doesn't really deserve a mere 2, so I'll round up.
I mean, there are good things about this book. The prose is high-quality. The system of magic is still interesting, although (and this might be because it's been two and a half years since I read the last instalment) I was never fully clear on what the actual limits were on what the main characters could do. You have a bit of ordinary, non-magical conflict between rival kingdoms in the world of Red London, which seemed a bit more interesting than the magical conflict, and exposed more interesting world-building. As I said before, Rhy goes through some interesting character development (considering he was never exactly my favourite character in this series), while Holland is just consistently this book's best character, from beginning to end. Lots of depth to him, darkness but also softness.
Overall, though, I feel relieved to have finally made it to the end of this book, and glad to have finished the series. (Jan 2019)
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LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
The first two books in this series both made my Top 5 reads of the year in 2015 and 2016 respectively so I had high hopes for this one. All I can say is it was everything I hoped for and more! V.E. Schwab took me through the whole range of emotions as all the threads came together into one of the
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best series I have read in years. Kell and Lila will forever be two of my favorite characters. I could go on but I don't want to give away any spoilers. All I can say is if you have not started this series yet do it now. Show Less
LibraryThing member GennaC
I survived the finale! It was a bittersweet, but mostly sweet, ending. I have little plot commentary to offer, being the third in a series, but I made it through this without losing my mind (although there were a few close calls). A Conjuring of Light was thick, with so much more development than
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one can typically expect from a single book. The middle slogged a bit, but we were rewarded with character backstory and pivotal growth. I'll miss these characters, but I no longer have to stress over their antics and sacrifices. And gosh, this trilogy will go down as one of my all-time favorite collections of covers. Stunning! Show Less