A Darker Shade of Magic is an audiobook narrated by Steven Crossley. This fantasy novel, written by V.E. Schwab, takes listeners to multiple versions of London in different dimensions. The story follows Kell, a rare and powerful magician known as an Antari, who has the ability to travel between these parallel versions of the city. In this world, there are four Londons: Grey London, where magic is only a myth; Red London, where magic is revered and flows freely; White London, where magic is a constant struggle for power; and Black London, a city consumed by magic and closed off from the other worlds.
The writing is incredible. No joke, I was completely lost in this world from the beginning. Schwab is fabulous at keeping my mind engaged, which isn’t all that easy when ADHD is usually running my brain every which way.
Kell was raised in Arnes Red London and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see. At first, some of the different points of view felt a little random, but I kept my hopes up in that they would all somehow connect before the story was over.
In this world, there are four Londons: Grey London, where magic is only a myth; Red London, where magic is revered and flows freely; White London, where magic is a constant struggle for power; and Black London, a city consumed by magic and closed off from the other worlds. Kell serves as an ambassador for Red London, carrying messages between the rulers of each London. However, Kell's smuggling activities inadvertently lead him into a dangerous situation when he comes into possession of a forbidden artifact from Black London.
A Darker Shade of Magic
Kell is one of the last Antari magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes Red London and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
This artifact holds immense power and threatens to unravel the delicate balance between the different Londons. Alongside Delilah Bard, a cunning thief from Grey London, Kell must embark on a perilous journey to save all the worlds from destruction. The audiobook brings this captivating story to life, enhancing the vivid descriptions of the various Londons and the magical elements. Crossley's narration skillfully portrays the different characters, capturing their unique personalities and emotions. His pacing and intonation help to build tension and make the action-packed scenes even more thrilling. Schwab's writing evokes a sense of wonder and adventure, and the audio format adds an extra layer of immersion. Whether listening to A Darker Shade of Magic during a commute, while doing chores, or simply relaxing, the audiobook allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the magical world created by Schwab. The combination of Schwab's captivating storytelling and Crossley's engaging narration makes A Darker Shade of Magic an excellent choice for fans of fantasy, adventure, and audiobooks. This audiobook is a perfect escape into a world of magic, danger, and unexpected alliances..
Reviews for "The Mesmerizing Narration of 'A Darker Shade of Magic' on Audible"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "A Darker Shade of Magic" on Audible. The narration felt dull and monotonous, making it hard for me to connect with the story and characters. I found myself losing interest and zoning out frequently. Additionally, the pacing felt slow and dragged on, making it difficult for the plot to captivate me. Overall, I was disappointed with this audiobook and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 3 stars - While the concept of "A Darker Shade of Magic" intrigued me, I found the execution on Audible to be lacking. The narrator's performance was average at best, lacking the energy and enthusiasm needed to bring the story to life. This made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the world and connect with the characters. Additionally, the narrative felt disjointed at times, making it hard to follow the events and fully understand the storyline. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this audiobook.
3. Emma - 1 star - I did not enjoy "A Darker Shade of Magic" on Audible. The narrator's voice grated on my nerves and I found it distracting throughout the entire audiobook. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The plot felt predictable and lacked the excitement and twists I was hoping for. I struggled to maintain interest in the story and ended up feeling disappointed by the overall experience. I would not recommend this audiobook to others.
4. Jason - 2 stars - "A Darker Shade of Magic" fell flat for me on Audible. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story early on. The characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional, making it hard for me to invest in their journey. Additionally, the world-building felt lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied by this audiobook.