Review: A Conjuring of Light (SHADES OF MAGIC #3)

REVIEW: 

A CONJURING OF LIGHT BY V.E.SCHWAB (SHADES OF MAGIC #3)

  THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED...
The precarious equilibrium among 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.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell - once assumed to be the last surviving Antari - begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
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 of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

(spoilers are in white)

Conjuring of Light was a fast paced and heart-wrenching emotional roller-coaster.
Also a blood bath...

Because I feel I have said everything there was to say about Schwab's writing and because I'm basically an emotional wreckage...I'll just say that Kell & Lila together were amazing (and hot), the banter between Alucard & Kell epic, Rhy's relationship with his brother touching and the new ship ( Alucard x Rhy ) fantastic. After spending two books hating Holland, in the end my heart went out for him.
Throughout the book my poor heart broke several times: for Calla, for Hastra (I was infinitely pleased when Kell's cut Jasta's throat...), for Holland and for Kell's loss

The final chapter and scene had me crying and laughing at the same time...

Said this, I now need to rant about the loose ends. Yes because I'm hoping and longing with all my heart that those loose treads were left loose for a reason. Plus all the lines saying that this wasn't the end but a new beginning...well...well...

Dear Victoria, 
And I quote:

"(...)now every time he summoned fire, or willed water or conjured anything from blood, it pained him. Every single time it hurt, a wound at the very center of his being. But unlike a wound, it refused to heal. Magic had always been a part of Kell, as natural as breathing. Now he couldn't catch is breath. The simplest acts took not only strength, but will. The will to suffer, to be hurt. (hide spoiler)] (I was so heartbroken to read this, it felt like being punched in the gut..."
- You need to fix Kell. Seriously...what will he do now? how will he manage?
- I need to know what happens in White London now...
- The favour Maris required of Lila...
There is enough for a sequel (or an additional trilogy) and I refuse to be left hanging like this...*cries*

Yes I'm fervently hoping that everything Victoria Schwab left open, she did so intentionally. Until then...Anoshe...

Rating: 5 blossoms  

 
Rating for the overall series: 5++ would not suffice!

Review: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E.Schwab (Shades of Magic #2)

Title: A Gathering of Shadows
Author: V.E.Schwab
Blurb: It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift--back into Black London.
Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games--an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries--a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

Attention please: spoilers are in white and conveniently hidden :)

Wow!
This book....this book....was such a ride! My head is still spinning!

Please note: this review is going to be brief not because I did not like the book but because I'm reading A Conjuring of Light and I cannot stay away from it for far too long xD
Now...
 

The writing:
 I don't believe in perfection but Schwab's writing is the closest thing to it that I have read so far. She has such a wonderful way with words,the images so vivid that it feels like watching a movie and better yet like you're breathing and living in the world she has built. (And YES I'd totally live in the Shades of Magic's multilayered world...if only to steal Kell's coat ha ha ha!).
 
The ships: 
Oh there are so many lovely ships around here...*smirks*(and I'd like to steal the Night Spire from under Alucard's nose lol).
One of which ( Alucard x Rhys)  I didn't see coming...not at all! So I was left pleasantly stunned.
The other one  ( Which one? Kell x Lila, obviously!)  I was insanely happy to see finally sailing! FINALLY!!  Dear Victoria, thank you for having suffer until the almost very end for a kiss....and oh boy what a kiss!! The whole ballroom & balcony scene was a masterpiece that had my heart singing of joy...which is an exceptional feat. Of course, things went fast downhill from there...*cries*  

The characters:
I read the book two times, the first one I got to half of it and then read the end (I know....I'm such a terrible reader) and the second...the second I finally found enough time to read this book properly. Now during the first sitting Lila scraped on my nerves a lot, especially at the beginning but on the second sitting I was totally fine with that. Still I rejoiced when finally Alucard tells her to mind the consequences of her actions (*pats Alucard on the shoulder...*)
Similarly, at first  when Kell goes willingly with Oijka  felt slightly "off" (I'm nitpicking!) but the second time around it actually made sense  with Kell in an emotional turmoil after being imprisoned,the constant torment of his guilt and so on ... (I know from experience that yes when you're angry and emotionally stressed you do tend to make crappy choices and take even shittier decisions....)
But let's back to more lighter topic...for example the Alucard Vs Kell, I mean those two....I had so many laughs thanks to their "squabbles". And let's not talk about the constant banter between Lila and Alucard...*snickers*
I also loved the ever deep relationship between Kell & Rhy....it melted my heart. *My babbieees!*
And talking of relationships... even I don't know how but Kell & Lila, by the end of A Gathering of Shadows managed to become one of my few favorite OTP ever. I mean how? When? was it real magic or what?...but it is okay!! No worries, I'm happy this way!!!

Last but not least ...I loved Hasta (though I do miss Kell's guards from book one----poor boys---Hastra is very cute!)and adored Jinnar! Besieds, I oh-so-wanted to throttle the King & Queen---

And I'll leave the review at this since ACOL is currently calling my name ha ha ha...sorry, not so sorry!!

Rating:

5 Blossoms