About the Book: 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.
Shades of Magic #2
Fantasy
Tor Books | February 23, 2016
Whew, that was so good. It was good in the way where I didn’t want it to end. It was good in that, because I didn’t want it to end, I found myself hesitating to pick it up. I just knew those last chapters were going to be killer, and not only didn’t I want it to end, I also didn’t want anything to happen to either one of my darlings, Kell and Lila. I just knew it was going to be painful.
A Gathering of Shadows was structured very different from the first. It didn’t have a big villain they were fighting, or a adventure they were off on. It was more character building, I thought. It was about giving us a first hand glimpse of the life and relationships which built Kell into who he is. It was also about giving Rhy a voice, making us care for him, because he’s far more important to the story than you originally believed. And of course, it was also about strengthening our love for Lila. I didn’t think I could love her more, and then I did.
In addition, this second book gave us Alucard Emery. Captain Emery was definitely one of the best parts of A Gathering of Shadows. Not only was he an important character, one we weren’t even aware existed, but in his own right he was fearless and funny. He was the perfect person to befriend Lila, giving her that connection she lost in the first book. I’m seriously hoping he’s a strong presence in the last book, and please let him survive!
The very best part of A Gathering of Shadows was the development between Lila and Kell! I didn’t think this series would have much romance at all, so I was surprised and pleased when we were given something extra even if it was only a small part of the story. That was exactly what I needed to push the story over that much more. Honestly, I love fantasy but there’s really nothing I love more than a slowly drawn out love story. And this is beautiful.
I’m seriously scared about how everything will be resolved in A Conjuring of Light. I don’t want to lose any of these brilliant characters, and I have this really horrible feeling it’s going to shatter me into pieces.
If I don’t survive, remember me fondly.
They danced in silence for several long moments, spinning together and apart, a slower version of their cadence in the ring. And then, out of nowhere, Lila asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you ask me to dance?”
He almost smiled. A ghost. A trick of the light. “So you couldn’t run away again before I said hello.”
“Hello,” said Lila.
“Hello,” said Kell.
Birdie Bookworm 
A gathering of shadows is the best of the series
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It was really good. I loved it.
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Great review!! A Gathering of Shadows is my favorite in the series, and I love the point you made about the romance. I didn’t expect either after the first book, but I love how it slowly weaves its way in.
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That’s exactly what I loved about it too. Plus, it makes me more excited to read the last book. And more afraid. I’ll be crushed if we lose anyone!
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I adored this book as well! So glad you liked it. Great review! Have you read her This Savage Song series yet? I’m hopefully starting this week, so just wondering what your thoughts are on it. ☺️☺️☺️
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I haven’t yet. This was my first Victoria Schwab series ever. It won’t be my last though. I just can’t decide if I’ll read This Savage Song first, or Vicious.
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I read that series first as well! I absolutely love it. Her writing is so wonderful. And she’s such a great person on top of it. Let me know which one you read! I’ll watch for your reviews. 🙂
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Thanks! I’ll watch for yours too. 🙂
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Deal. 🙂
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Sooo good!!! I just finish this too and I’m so glad to hear you liked it as much as I did! I may pick up the third one sooner than I had originally intended – I have to see what happens!
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Haha! I couldn’t resist. I started it today!
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Wow. I’ve noticed reviews of the series all over the blogosphere and goodreads lately and it seems that number two seems to be a favorite! I finished The Night Circus a couple weeks ago and have had yet to find a new fantasy to meet my high expectations as a fantasy/sci-fi geek and I think this is just what I need to get me out of my recent reading slump!
Thanks for this excellent review!
Happy reading 🙂
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I haven’t read The Night Circus, but I definitely loved this entire trilogy. I just read the third one, and all of them were pretty perfect.
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