Shades of Magic Book 4, also known as "A Conjuring of Light," is the final installment in the Shades of Magic trilogy written by V.E. Schwab. This fantasy novel continues the story of Kell, a powerful magician with the ability to travel between parallel worlds, and Lila, a cunning thief with a knack for survival. The book starts immediately after the events of book 3, where the worlds of Red London, White London, and Black London collide, threatening to destroy everything in their wake. Kell and Lila, along with their allies, must find a way to save their homes and put an end to the dangerous magic that is spreading.
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones s contemporary fantasy crown. com to order a customized version of this set or to start the process of commissioning a custom book set, book collection, or library of any size with us.
Kell and Lila, along with their allies, must find a way to save their homes and put an end to the dangerous magic that is spreading. Throughout the story, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with enchanting magic, intense battles, and complex characters. The author deftly explores the themes of power, sacrifice, and the darkness that resides within all of us.
A Darker Shade of Magic - (Shades of Magic) by V E Schwab
Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons--where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.
Book Synopsis
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
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
Review Quotes
Entertainment Weekly's 27 Female Authors Who Rule Sci-Fi and Fantasy Right Now
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Its plot is gripping. Its characters are memorable. Its setting in four parallel, powerful Londons is otherworldly yet believable. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure." --Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of The All Souls Trilogy
"Compulsively readable. her characters make the book. Just as Kell has layers, Lila is a satisfyingly rich invention. With so many worlds on the map, there's plenty left to discover." --NPR
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
"Schwab (Vicious) creates an ingenious set of nesting alternate Londons in this imaginative, well-crafted fantasy. Confident prose and marvelous touches-a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine-bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A Darker Shade of Magic is smart, funny and sexy . Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones's contemporary fantasy crown." --The Independent
"Fantasy fans will love this fast-paced adventure, with its complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine." --Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
VICTORIA "V.E." SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet and Vicious. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post and more, translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she splits her time between Nashville, TN and Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
One of the significant aspects of the book is the development of the relationship between Kell and Lila. As their bond grows stronger, they must confront their feelings for each other amidst the chaos that surrounds them. Their respective character arcs are brought to satisfying conclusions, as they learn to accept themselves and their flaws. The world-building in "A Conjuring of Light" is another highlight of the book. Schwab paints vivid and immersive pictures of the different Londons, each with its unique characteristics and dangers. From the vibrant streets of Red London to the desolate wasteland of Black London, readers are transported to these fantastical worlds. The action sequences in the book are gripping and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Schwab masterfully weaves together suspense, danger, and emotion, creating an intense reading experience. Overall, "Shades of Magic Book 4: A Conjuring of Light" is a thrilling conclusion to the Shades of Magic series. It offers a satisfying end to the story while leaving room for the imagination to wander. V.E. Schwab's writing shines once again, making this book a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure..
Reviews for "An Epic Conclusion to the Shades of Magic Series in Book 4"
- John Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Shades of magic book 4." The story felt dragged out and the pacing was incredibly slow. The characters that I had grown to love in the previous books seemed like mere shadows of themselves in this installment. The plot twists were predictable and the overall resolution felt underwhelming. I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
- Emily Johnson - 3/5 stars - As a fan of the previous books in the series, I was eagerly awaiting "Shades of magic book 4." However, I found myself feeling let down. The writing style seemed to have changed, and not for the better. It felt disjointed and at times, unnecessarily complicated. The character development also took a step back, with some of the main characters making questionable decisions that were out of character. While there were still some enjoyable moments, overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations.
- Sarah Thompson - 2/5 stars - I struggled to finish "Shades of magic book 4." The plot felt convoluted and hard to follow, with too many subplots that didn't seem to add much to the overall story. The pacing was off, with long stretches of mundane events followed by rushed action sequences. Additionally, the romantic relationships that were central to the previous books felt forced and lacked depth in this installment. Overall, this book didn't captivate me like the earlier ones in the series, and I was left disappointed.