BLOG TOUR: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Published by: Tor Books on 24th February 2015
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
My Copy Source: Pinoy Book Tours

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

Multi-designed coat

A thief aspiring to be a pirate

Kings and Queens

Elemental Magic

Dark Magic

Blood Magic

and 

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC

Okay, what? It's my second time to read another novel with parallel universes! And the fact that they are still completely different and there's so much more to parallel universes that I have never known before is so amazing.

Let me start this by telling you about this new world that I have discovered when the key has been handed to me by Dianne of oopsireadagain. The door lead me to these four Londons:

Grey London: London without magic

White London: Magic hungry London

Red London: vibrant and full of magic

Black London: the fallen London

This is my first ever V.E. Schwab novel and I can say  that I was really impressed at this adventurous tale that it made me love her even though I haven't had any of her past novels before. I've also been reading a lot of positive reviews for Vicious so maybe I am going to try that when I have the money. :D

Let me start this review by enumerating some characters that I loved and the characters that reminded me of someone from somewhere.

Of course there are two characters that became dear to me as it was obvious that they will also be dear to you because they are the main characters in this novel. Here they are:

Kell

OF COURSE KELL! Kell is like super handsome in his quirky own way. He actually reminded me of Howl in the Howl's Moving Castle(HMC). If you haven't watched that one yet, I insist that you do. If you loved Spirited Away, then you'll definitely love HMC, they are both from the same maker.

I am pretty much in love with Howl and I see most of Kell in him.

Kell is pretty damn hot. He's badass and easy to love. Who doesn't want badass?! Certainly not me, I'm drawn to those guys. Oh how I miss Kell right now. 

Here's a photo of Howl for you wormiees. He's kind of the face I've been putting on Kell all this time. Even the coat is fitting. OMG.

Lila

Delilah Bard, the thief. Everyone who don't pay attention knows her as a HIM. She's a cross-dressing thief and she's wanted. Lila is a strong and stubborn citizen of Grey London who wants nothing more in life than to escape and have an epic adventure of a lifetime.

Another fun fact, she dreams to be a pirate, and I love pirates. I dressed once as a pirate (you can find one photo here)and I absolutely love it. I love books that have hot pirates in it then pair it with mermaids... *stop* I'm straying too far.

Here's another photo that can pass as Kell and Lila from HMC again. Aren't they the cutest? 

Some other characters that reminded me of someone from another world.

Fletcher

Do you watch Once Upon a Time? If you do, then you are familiar with Mr. Gold. Fletcher reminded me of him not because he was described like Mr. Gold, but because he owns a shop that resembles Mr. Gold's. If I'm not mistaken, it's called a pawnshop? I don't remember but it's full of trinkets and valuable stuff.

Lila hitting Kell with a book

It actually reminded me of Rapunzel hitting Flynn with a pan. HAHA, in ADSoM, Lila hit Kell with a book! That was so funny.

I love one of the Danes Twins ruler of White London. Now I actually forgot her name. I like her character description, she's like a snake and even though I hate her she has interesting characteristics that made her stood out to me somehow, I just don't have someone in mind for her.

Okay, so now back to the review? All in all, I recommend this book for everyone to read! And read it.... RIGHT NOW! HAHA . The sad part is, the next book is not out yet, and it won't be out til Feb2016:(. I really want to get back to that world again and I am getting impatient but I can't do anything about it. For the mean time though, I found the cover reveal for the next book, I'll post it below, huhu, trying to distract myself for the long wait. UGH.

I love the world built and it made me happy that the fantasy books I've read lately gave me a fantastic and vivid world to step in for a moment. Plus, the characters are easy to love, despite their flaws and imperfection, the dialogue just seems to make you want to fall in love with the characters. We all want that in a book right? To fall in love with one or two of the characters at some point, and somewhere at the beginning, I just fell magically (pun intended) in love with Kell and his aura and somewhere out there, I fell in love with Lila and Kell and I can't wait for their love story to begin! Next book, where are you???

I can't think of anymore to say, I already blabbed too much about the characters and now I am out of words. I can't thank Dianne enough for sending a wrong book to me, because if she got it right, I wouldn't have met Kell and Lila ♡


On to you guys, I expect you to read this and let's discuss if you like it or not. But I'm sure you'll love it! =) Here' the cover of A Gathering of Shadows:

Credits to tor.com

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