BOOKS | Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

 Name: Ruin and Rising

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Square Fish

Date published: June 2017

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance, adventure

Pages: 417

Rating: 4/5

This review contains major spoilers.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for. 

- From Goodreads.

The continued worldbuilding in Ruin and Rising was inventive and I was always fascinated to learn more about the world. The descriptions of setting and places and the technology and architecture was always interesting to read. I thought the author was very creative when inventing new parts of her world.

I loved the power struggle between Alina and the Darkling, how their interactions played out and built up in tension. Their relationship was written so well and was so engaging to read. The build up over the three books of the war between them really came to a point in this book and was very satisfying to read.

Something else I liked was that Alina made firm friends and made herself a sort of found family within her allies. It was something more light within the darker moments of the book, and I enjoyed reading about it.

However, I still did not really enjoy Alina's relationship with Mal, although he had improved from the last book, I still did not feel the desire for them to be together and thought they might have been better as friends. I did not like that Mal often seemed to make decisions for her, Alina should have been able to make more decisions for herself. Often it felt like she was pulled and pushed around when she should have had more opportunities to make her own choices. The emphasis on their relationship made it feel like Alina deciding what she would do after everything was over depended on who she would end up with, which cheapened the grander story and themes slightly, and I think it would have been better if the decision was more about what she wanted to be after the war and what kind of life she might make for herself. I would not have minded if she did end up with someone romantically, but with Mal it just felt a little forced. 

I also did not like that Alina was still made to feel like her power was bad, even when it meant so much to her. I liked that she had great power, and although I knew it was important that she did not go too far with it, I did not like the black and white nature of the implication that she would either become a villain like the Darkling or become powerless, there did not seem to be much chance for her to find a place somewhere in between.

It did not make sense to me that Mal was the third amplifier. The other amplifiers were great mythical creatures, so the fact that a person was one just felt strange and out of place. Although it was explained, it still felt like a circle had not been completed properly. Perhaps he could have had the ability to amplify, like how one of the Darkling's skills was to amplify other people's power, but it just did not fit for me that Mal was supposed to be an amplifier like the other creatures. Maybe I am biased because I am not fond of Mal as a character or love interest, but it still just seemed like it should have been the firebird to me. I did not really enjoy the way the story focused on the amplifiers generally in the book, as I found the other aspects of the story more interesting. Aspects like the dynamic between Alina and the Darkling, Alina developing as a character, resisting the pull towards the dark and learning to use her power, coming into her own, learning from people like the Darkling and Nikolai, but learning to make the most of her own strengths too, to become a wise, powerful and good person on her own, and I wish Leigh Bardugo had focused more on those. The story should have been about Alina, and I felt like towards the end it focused too much on Mal when it did not feel like it was meant to be his story.

While I did not like everything that happened and was not satisfied with every part of the ending, it was still enjoyable to read, the writing style was exciting, the plot made for a very addictive story, and I would probably happily read the book and series as a whole again. The ending was well-plotted and while I was not completely happy with how everything wrapped up, did not like everything that happened and would have liked some things to be done differently, it was clearly planned out well and well written. 

BOOKS | Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Name: Siege and Storm

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Square Fish

Date published: June 2017

Genre: Fiction, young adult, romance, fantasy, adventure

Pages: 435

Rating: 4/5

This review contains mild spoilers.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

- From Goodreads.

Siege and Storm was a great continuation of the story started in Shadow and Bone. The worldbuilding continued to be fascinating to read, the world felt very real and it was easy to become immersed in it. I think Leigh Bardugo has done a great job of creating a world that I will continue to be excited to read stories about.

One thing I did not enjoy about the story was Alina and Mal's relationship. Alina often felt inadequate when she was with Mal, and seemed to believe she was not good enough for him. I could not really understand or root for their relationship when I felt like Alina always felt worse about herself when she was with him, and when he often slipped into bad behaviour and got angry with her for things that were not her fault, or were out of her control. He did have some good qualities and of course he was not a truly evil person, but I just could not enjoy their relationship when it seemed like she would be happier by herself or with someone else. 

It also did not sit right with me that Mal did not like Alina's power. While it was good he did not want her to lose control or to become too greedy, it seemed like her power was just as much a part of her as any other part, and if he did not like it then he did not really love her. Using her power made her healthier and happier, and when he acted like it was a bad thing that she used it and enjoyed using it, it just made him seem envious and unsupportive and it did not help me like him. It made Alina physically unwell to deny that part of her, her powers, and when she accepted that part of herself and loved it, all Mal wanted was for it to be gone. He wanted her to go back to being the girl she was at the start, but she was not happy back then. She was good at being a leader and using her powers, but he wanted to take that away from her. I understood that he was struggling to find his place, but he could not seem to feel happy for her when she was happy, and it just made him seem too selfish. Alina often felt bad for how Mal felt at the palace, but she had gone to the palace to try and fix things and do good by leading the Grisha, and it seemed like he had never felt bad whenever she had felt out of place or like she did not belong. It just never seemed like their relationship was balanced or equal.

It just kept feeling like Mal and Alina were meant to go on different paths in life and like they were not meant to end up together. They argued so much and never seemed to come to an understanding. Ultimately, all this meant that I just could not love Mal like Alina apparently did, so I could not root for their relationship, and that was really the one thing in the book that fell flat for me. 

However, I did enjoy reading Alina's relationships with other characters, the interactions and dialogue were written well, and I especially enjoyed the moments between her and Genya, her and Sturmhond, and her dynamic with the Darkling continued to be engaging and thrilling.

I enjoyed the way Alina's struggle with the dark was written, how she was sometimes overcome by her powers, how it was shown that she was affected by what had happened between her and the Darkling and what had happened on the Fold. I think it felt very real that she was not completely fine after everything that had happened to her so far and Leigh Bardugo wrote that in a very compelling way that made Alina feel very relatable and strong to get through everything that she did. I really think the author played well with the idea of Alina struggling with a slippery slope into darkness, how she could easily go the same way as the Darkling, descending slowly into the desire for power. But her struggle with that and her determination to fight against it was what showed her strength and good heart.

I really enjoyed the middle of the book, the political manoeuvres, Alina learning how to lead and work with people, and her discussions with Nikolai. I thought it was all very intriguing and very enjoyable to read. The ending was also very thrilling, incredible and epic, and left me eager to read Ruin and Rising. 

BOOKS | Review: The Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos

 Name: The Missing of Clairdelune

Author: Christelle Dabos (translated from French to English by Hildegarde Serle)

Publisher: Europa Editions

Date published: 2020

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance, steampunk

Pages: 512

Rating: 5/5

When Ophelia is promoted to Vice-storyteller by Farouk, the ancestral Spirit of Pole, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the public spotlight. Her gift - the ability to read the secret history of objects - is now known by all, and there can be no greater threat to the nefarious denizens of her icy adopted home than this.

Beneath the golden rafters of Pole's capitol, she discovers that the only person she may be able to trust is Thorn, her enigmatic and emotionally distant fiancé. As one influential courtier after another disappears, Ophelia again finds herself unintentionally implicated in an investigation that will lead her to see beyond Pole's many illusions to the heart of a formidable truth.

- From Goodreads.

I enjoyed how The Missing of Clairdelune continued to build on the world that had been introduced in A Winter's Promise, the first book in The Mirror Visitor series. It added detail to what we already knew whilst also introducing us to new places and people.

The plot was once again exciting and intriguing, with a fascinating mystery to solve that had a satisfying resolution while also leaving open some plot lines for the next book. 

I loved how this book continued to develop the relationship between Ophelia and Thorn, how they slowly began to know and understand each other a little better, especially towards the end when Ophelia began to show how she was starting to know Thorn better than anyone else did, recognising his mannerisms, understanding his habits, and realising his motives, even if she did not always realise how well she was beginning to know him.

I also enjoyed how Ophelia's relationships with other people continued to develop, how she strengthened her friendships and even some familial relationships. She also continued to develop as a character, becoming more sure of herself and bring out the best parts of herself. She is a very loveable, kind-hearted character and I was glad she began to not let herself be underestimated.

The book had a thrilling climax and ending, which was completely unpredictable and had me invested with every moment. It has me really excited to read the next book to see what happens after that ending and how the story continues for Ophelia and Thorn.

BOOKS | Review: A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos

 Name: A Winter's Promise

Author: Christelle Dabos (translated from French to English by Hildegard Serle)

Publisher: Europa Editions

Date published: 2019

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance, steampunk

Pages: 492

Rating: 5/5

Long ago, following a cataclysm called “The Rupture,” the world was shattered into many floating celestial islands. Known now as Arks, each has developed in distinct ways; each seems to possess its own unique relationship to time, such that nowadays vastly different worlds exist, together but apart. And over all of the Arks the spirit of an omnipotent ancestor abides.

Ophelia lives on Anima, an ark where objects have souls. Beneath her worn scarf and thick glasses, the young girl hides the ability to read and communicate with the souls of objects, and the power to travel through mirrors. Her peaceful existence on the Ark of Anima is disrupted when she is promised in marriage to Thorn, from the powerful Dragon clan. Ophelia must leave her family and follow her fiancée to the floating capital on the distant Ark of the Pole. Why has she been chosen? Why must she hide her true identity? Though she doesn’t know it yet, she has become a pawn in a deadly plot.

- From Goodreads.

A Winter's Promise was a wonderfully unique story with so much to be intrigued and delighted by. The world was so expansive and well developed and I am already excited to discover more about it in the next books in the series. The arks were so interesting to learn about and the cultural differences between them were fascinating.

The characters were also wonderful, each of them distinct in their personalities, some of them absolutely awful people while still being thrilling to read about, some of them immediately loveable and I adored every moment with them on the page.

The dynamic between Ophelia and Thorn was so interesting and I am really curious to see how their relationship develops over the series. I had no idea what to expect from each interaction between them but I enjoyed every one and enjoyed seeing them learn more about each other. Ophelia was such an endearing character who I really adored, even when she was making mistakes or doing something I would not do. Thorn was unpredictable and mysterious, and while a lot of characters hated him, and Ophelia was confused by her feelings towards him, I liked him a lot and I am excited to see more of him in the rest of the series.

Overall, this was a really delightful book. Very funny at some moments, very emotional at others, with an exciting plot and intriguing characters. If you like the Studio Ghibli movies, you will definitely like this as it has the same beautiful worldbuilding and immersive atmosphere. It is also a great book for anyone who enjoys political drama and court intrigues. 

BOOKS | Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

 Name: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Publisher: Vintage

Date published: May 2012

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, historical

Pages: 502

Rating: 5/5

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breath-taking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

- From Goodreads.

The Night Circus was definitely a unique book, different to anything else I have ever read. It was a very marvellous reading experience and the story was incredibly compelling.

The writing style was so whimsical and flowed wonderfully. Both the descriptions and dialogue were enjoyable to read and really helped create a delightful atmosphere.

The romance between Celia and Marco was so beautiful and they were both such endearing and fascinating characters. The other characters and relationships were also so well written and intriguing. I especially loved Bailey and Poppet's relationship, and the friendship between the two of them and Widget, it was so lovely and heart-warming how the siblings took Bailey in and stopped him from feeling like an outsider. Friedrick Thiessen was also such a loveable character.

The circus was such a brilliant setting, so inventive, a whole world of its own. It was so fun to read about such a magical and captivating place. 

I enjoyed the slow moving plot and how all the small events gradually built up to the climax, the different timelines eventually all catching up and reaching the same point in time. It really allowed you the time to become immersed in the world and feel a part of it all.

Overall, this was an fantastically enchanting book and I was thoroughly impressed by the author's ability to create such a magical story. I would definitely recommend it if you love romance in an imaginative setting that feels cosy but has dark undertones.

BOOKS | Review: Between by L.L. Starling

 Name: Between

Author: L.L. Starling

Publisher: Wicked Fable Press

Date published: October 2020

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, adventure, romance

Pages: 737

Rating: 5/5

A bewitching, fiendishly funny cautionary tale about the perils of gatecrashing fairy tale kingdoms - particularly ones with drunken unicorns, bored dragons, and sorcerers in tight, leather pants.

Sasha Pierce hasn’t had a single dream since she was a child…

... until she accepts a substitute teaching position in the charmingly witchy village of Old Middleton. Her first dream in twenty-five years ought to be enchanting, but her wonder quickly turns to shock when she realizes that it’s not a dream at all, but an entirely different sort of magic. Catapulted into the fairy tale kingdom of Between through an ancient portal, Sasha’s astonishment is swiftly upgraded to panic when she accidentally performs a supposedly impossible feat and is declared the True Queen of Between… and betrothed to its infuriatingly handsome sorcerer-king.

Lorn, Shadow King of Between, is desperate to break free from Between’s clutches. Magically tethered to the ramshackle kingdom, he wages a daily battle to save his disreputable subjects from rampaging magical creatures, sinkholes, and catastrophes of the distressingly lethal variety. To avoid an early grave, he needs an escape plan, not a wife... until he learns that this magicless mortal holds the key to his freedom.

Unwilling to leave her world to accept the crown - or the husband - Sasha must race against the clock to disentangle herself from this fairy tale. But her empty throne leaves a dangerous rift between their worlds. As dark forces descend upon Old Middleton, the two must make a choice: work together or unleash fairytale chaos upon their realms.

Between is the spellbinding first novel in The Chronicles of Between fantasy series. Filled with feisty, fairytale-savvy heroines, swoon-worthy sorcerers, slow burn romance, morose minotaurs, and bawdy witches it’s a laugh-out-loud fairy tale romp.

- From Goodreads.

I completely adored this book. The sense of humour was just wonderful, the adventure and magic in the story were just brilliant, and the characters were immediately loveable. I was so excited to keep reading and sad when it was over because I just wanted more of this story and the characters, even though the book was already over 700 pages. Between was just fantastic and I smiled the whole time I was reading it.

I enjoyed both of the two perspectives. The first half is from Sasha's perspective and the second half is from the Shadow King's perspective, and since Sasha is from the human world and her perspective is first, it makes it easier to learn about the world and to understand what is happening because you as the reader are learning along with Sasha. That means that by the time you reach the king's perspective you already have a basic understanding of the events so reading what happens from his viewpoint is not overwhelming or confusing.

The illustrations were magnificent, drawn in such a unique style, and were a brilliant addition to the story. They really brought the scenes to life and made each moment they illustrated even more delightful.

I really loved each moment between Sasha and the Shadow King. They had such a fun dynamic and the two of them beginning to grow to care for each other was so compelling to read about. I am really looking forward to reading about the development of their relationship and their continuing journey together in the next book.

This was just a truly brilliant book that just made me so happy. If you liked the movie Labyrinth or Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, then I think you will really love this too. It has humour, whimsy, and heartfelt emotion and I think it has easily become a favourite of mine.

BOOKS | Review: A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

 Name: A Conjuring of Light

Author: V.E. Schwab

Publisher: Titan Books

Date published: February 2017

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, adventure

Pages: 666

Rating: 5/5

The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise. Kell - once assumed to be the last surviving Antari - begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Lila Bard, once a commonplace - but never common - thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry.

Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery and the Night Spire crew are attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible, as an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown and a fallen hero is desperate to save a decaying world...

- From Goodreads.

A Conjuring of Light was an incredible conclusion to a fantastic series. I was emotional and enthralled for the whole book and sad for it to end because I loved the characters and world so much. 

I loved every moment between Kell and Lila, I adored their relationship and I think V.E. Schwab wrote their romance very well. I also enjoyed reading the relationship between Rhy and Alucard, especially towards the end of the book. 

Schwab continued to add more to the world and the magic system in an inventive and unique way. The world felt so real and there were so many wonderful details. I very much enjoyed exploring the world throughout the book.

Overall this was a really wonderful book that wrapped everything up well and really made my heart ache for all the characters and everything they had been through. I really loved Kell and Lila and I was so happy that they had a good ending together, even though I was sad for the things that they lost along the way. I definitely recommend this series if you are looking for an epic adventure that will give you plenty of emotional reactions.

BOOKS | Review: A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

 Name: A Deal with the Elf King

Author: Elise Kova 

Publisher: Silver Wing Press

Date published: November 2020

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance, retellings

Pages: 388

Rating: 5/5

 The elves come for two things: war and wives. In both cases, they come for death.
Three-thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella's village to be their Human Queen.
To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark nineteen-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she's dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town's only healer.
That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives... for her.
Everything Luella had thought she'd known about her life, and herself, was a lie. Taken to a land filled with wild magic, Luella is forced to be the new queen to a cold yet blisteringly handsome Elf King. Once there, she learns about a dying world that only she can save.
The magical land of Midscape pulls on one corner of her heart, her home and people tug on another... but what will truly break her is a passion she never wanted.

- From Goodreads.

The characters in A Deal with the Elf King were very loveable. I quickly became attached to Luella and Eldas, and the minor characters were well written too. Willow, Rinni and Harrow were really enjoyable to read and I would love to read more about all of them, especially Harrow who I thought had a very engaging character arc throughout the story.

The descriptions were beautiful, the world seemed very vivid and immersive, and the ideas behind the world building were so unique. It was a retelling, clearly inspired by stories like Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone, but the author put so many inventive and new ideas and twists into it that it really felt like an individual story and world on its own. I am looking forward to reading more of this world and seeing what more ideas Elise Kova has for it.

The romance was written in a very addictive way. I had to keep reading to know what would happen between Luella and Eldas and I thought the tension and romantic moments were written very well. The ending was very satisfying and I was very happy with where the characters ended up after the journeys they had been on.

Overall this book was a really enjoyable one to escape into and I had so much fun reading it. There was not a moment that I did not like what I was reading and it just had everything I was looking for from a fairy tale romance.

BOOKS | Review: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black and Rovina Cai

 Name: How the King of Elhame Learned to Hate Stories

Author: Holly Black and Rovina Cai

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Date published: November 2020

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5

Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue...
Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar but pivotal moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.
This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humour and drama that enchanted readers everywhere. Each chapter is paired with lavish and luminous full-colour art, making this the perfect collector's item to be enjoyed by audiences both new and old.
An irresistible return to the captivating world of Elfhame from bestselling Folk of the Air author Holly Black, with stunning full-colour illustrations by Rovina Cai. 

- From Goodreads. 

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories was a perfect addition to The Folk of the Air series and I adored every moment of reading it.

It was wonderful to read from Cardan's viewpoint and get his perspective on moments we previously saw from Jude's perspective, as well as moments that had only previously been alluded to, and learn about moments we did not know had happened at all. Although Cardan was already a very well developed character, it was great to get even more depth to his character and seem more of his backstory. His feelings were so understandable, and it was clear to see how he ended up the way that he did. I loved seeing him grow and change and learn, and I thought the way Holly Black weaved other stories into Cardan's was so clever. It was very tight and well-plotted, and I enjoyed how all the threads tied together at the end.

The illustrations fitted the atmosphere of the stories so perfectly and really added an extra dimension to the reading experience. They were so beautiful and had marvellous details that were lovely to look at. They really made it feel like an old book of fairy tales.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who enjoyed The Folk of the Air series and it was obviously made with love for the trilogy. It really adds to the original books in a fantastic way and it made me so happy to read.

UNBOXING | FairyLoot: Blood & Honey Collector's Edition

 

I really enjoyed reading Serpent & Dove after I received it in a FairyLoot box last year, so I was delighted to get the sequel in this incredible collector's edition box also by FairyLoot. The two books will look so wonderful together, and all the items that came with the book will be amazing to own too!

Blanket, with artwork designed by Noverantale.

La Fôret Des Yeux candle, poured by Bookish Burns, with label designed by Blanca Montiel.

Storage tin, designed by Chatty Nora.

Enamel pin set, designed by Jezhawk Designs.

Gilded tarot deck, designed with oblivionsdream.

Art print, created by Katherine Britt.

Bonus chapter of Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin.

Signed edition of Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin, with sprayed edges and art by arz28 on the inside of the dust jacket.

I really am impressed with this box and every item in it, I am not sure I could even choose a favourite! They are all such high quality and designed so well, with lots of beautiful details. I really am amazed by the tarot deck with each of its unique designs.

I will be sure to post a review of Blood & Honey once I have read it, if you already have then let me know in the comments what you thought! Also let me know if you got this box, what you thought and which item was your favourite.

If you would like to find out more about FairyLoot, you can find their website here.

BOOKS | Review: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

 Name: A Gathering of Shadows

Author: V.E. Schwab

Publisher: Titan Books

Date published: February 2016

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, adventure, romance

Pages: 512

Rating: 5/5

Kell is one of the last magicians with the ability to travel between parallel universes, linked by the magical city of London. It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into his possession and he met Delilah Bard. Four months since the Dane twins of White London fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's dying body back into Black London.

Now Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila. And as Red London prepares for the Element Games--an international competition of magic - a certain pirate ship draws closer. But another London is coming back to life. The balance of magic is perilous, and for one city to flourish, another must fall...

- From Goodreads. 

A Gathering of Shadows had a wonderful sense of adventure that I really loved. The magic, the travelling, the new countries and characters that were introduced, they were all such enjoyable things to read about. 

The plot was unpredictable, I had no idea what was going to happen in the story. There were plenty of twists and turns that I did not see coming, it was very exciting to read. The well-written action scenes added to the enjoyment, especially the magic battles. They were very thrilling and creative in the way they used magic. 

I grew to love Kell and Lila even more, they both have such heart, they are such good people, with flaws that only make them more real and only make me feel for them more, and they try their best to do good in the end, even if they make a few mistakes along the way, and even when they have to make sacrifices to do good. I think they have definitely become favourite characters of mine. I would have liked more time and interaction between Kell and Lila in this book, but the tension between them because of the fact that they could not interact was fun to read and it was exciting to look forward to the point when they would meet again and recognise each other.

Overall, this was an incredible sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic that really set up for what should be an amazing third and final book in the trilogy, which I hope to read soon. I think it really developed the world and characters and deepened the story, and I am looking forward to seeing how that continues in A Conjuring of Light.

UNBOXING | Illumicrate Collections: A Darker Shade of Magic

 

When I first read A Darker Shade of Magic a few years ago, I loved it immediately, so when Illumicrate announced they were releasing a special box for the book, I knew I would love to get one, and when it arrived it certainly exceeded all of my expectations! Everything in the box was beautiful and so creative, I was very happy with it and felt it was well worth the price.

Four Londons blanket, designed by Yoshi Yoshitani.

Dust jackets, designed by rosiethorns88.

Pin, designed by Stacey McEvoy-Caunt.

Cloth, designed by Victoria Ying.

Book sleeve, with artwork by Laia López and lettering by Chatty Nora.

The Essen Tasch banner, designed by Sylvia Bi.

Acrylic character figures, designed by Monolime.

 Special signed edition of A Darker Shade of Magic, with sprayed edges and artwork by Em Allen on the endpapers.

Everything in this box was so unique and inventive, opening it was such a delight. I have never seen acrylic figures in a book box before, and I thought the banner was such a brilliant idea too, those were both such fun items to include. I also love how beautiful the book sleeve, the pin, and the dust jackets are, they are really gorgeous, and the blanket is so soft! The cloth is such a cute little item too, I am sure it will come in handy for cleaning my glasses. The book itself is such a beautiful edition, I am very happy to add it to my shelf.

Did you get this box? What did you think? Let me know in the comments! If you would like to find out more about Illumicrate, their website is here.