The Shades of Magic fantasies, written by V.E. Schwab, are a series of books that transport readers to a world where magic is not only real but has different shades. The trilogy consists of A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, and A Conjuring of Light, each building upon the events and characters introduced in the previous novels. The series follows the adventures of Kell, a powerful magician known as an Antari, who has the ability to travel between different parallel universes. In this magical world, there are four Londons: Grey London, a mundane city without magic; Red London, a vibrant and flourishing place where magic thrives; White London, a brutal and power-hungry city; and Black London, a realm consumed by darkness and forbidden magic.
Our brains have been shown to link a certain piece of music to a place or person. A great example of this happens in the movie 50 First Dates. The female protagonist, Lucy Whitmore is involved in a car crash, which leads to amnesia. So, she forgets her date with male protagonist Henry Roth. This inspires him to win her over anew each day they meet. The question is how will Lucy remember her times with and feelings for Henry?
Music can help the regeneration of neurons in the brain, known as neurogenesis, ultimately leading to cerebral plasticity, in turn enhancing focus and cognition. Music can help the regeneration of neurons in the brain, known as neurogenesis, ultimately leading to cerebral plasticity, in turn enhancing focus and cognition.
In this magical world, there are four Londons: Grey London, a mundane city without magic; Red London, a vibrant and flourishing place where magic thrives; White London, a brutal and power-hungry city; and Black London, a realm consumed by darkness and forbidden magic. Kell's journey begins when he accidentally smuggles a dangerous artifact from Black London into his world, setting off a chain of events that threaten to unravel the delicate balance between the different Londons. Along the way, he crosses paths with Lila Bard, a feisty and cunning thief who becomes his unlikely ally and companion.
Culture > The magic of music: its power to stimulate change
Music: we listen to it when waking up, while travelling, on our own and with friends. It is a powerful form of entertainment. It can bring us joy and motivate us, accompany us through difficult times and cuts across all cultures. But this is just scratching the surface. Music has the potential to provide so much more.
I appreciate music massively, it improves quality of my life. Recently, sitting in my bedroom in London with music blaring, a track came on that literally teleported me back to my childhood in Colombia. I was overwhelmed by the sweet smell of hot chocolate accompanied by the fresh Tamale, with the sounds of laughter, my family having a good time. There was a sense of nostalgia in the air as the music magically took me back in time.
I’m one of those people that listens to music while I’m exercising or dancing. I play songs with a deep and punchy bass line and lots of movement. It helps increase my heart rate and gives me a final push to complete my routine.
Music is medicine. It can stimulate the brain, ease our fears, and calm our hearts. In fact, from mental health issues to Alzheimer’s and heart disease, research shows that music can be as powerful as some medications to help heal what troubles us.
Our brains have been shown to link a certain piece of music to a place or personWhen we are exposed to music that has a fast beat a part of our brain is stimulated. This leads to an increased heart rate. When we listen to music with a slow beat the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and our heart rate decreases. New research by Medical News Today has found that listening to 30 minutes of music a day significantly reduces the risk of heart health problems.
The part of the brain that controls our long-term and short-term memory is called the hippocampus. If the hippocampus has been damaged through an accident or illness this can affect our memory or the ability to make new memories.
However, in some cases our past memories, before the accident or illness, may still be intact. Here is where music comes into play. Music can help the regeneration of neurons in the brain, known as neurogenesis, ultimately leading to cerebral plasticity, in turn enhancing focus and cognition.
Our brains have been shown to link a certain piece of music to a place or person. A great example of this happens in the movie 50 First Dates. The female protagonist, Lucy Whitmore is involved in a car crash, which leads to amnesia. So, she forgets her date with male protagonist Henry Roth. This inspires him to win her over anew each day they meet. The question is how will Lucy remember her times with and feelings for Henry?
There are so many reasons to be grateful for the positive properties of musicThe answer is music. Somehow, she associates the song Wouldn’t It be Nice by the Beach Boys with him. She sings this song at the top of her lungs every time she sees him… and so the story unfolds.
Music improves health and well being, mood, and emotion through the engagement of the neurochemical systems responsible for the neurotransmitter dopamine. Music can trigger parts of the brain, the nucleus accumbens and the amygdala, both linked to seeking pleasure and emotional expression.
When we listen to music dopamine is released and it brings our emotions to the surface: happiness, love, sadness, fear or being ready for a fight. It can motivate you to achieve your goals or bring you to your senses.
Music can be like a drug for some people because it increases the amount of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, in the same way cocaine acts on the brain.
There are so many reasons to be grateful for the positive properties of music. It’s completely amazing realising the impact it can have on our mood, health and wellbeing, as well as motivating us to exercise and dance to the beat.
All of these emotions we feel and express are awakened by sounds working together in harmony.
Why are you thankful for music?
Roberto José Quintero Stella Other articles by Roberto José Quintero StellaRoberto is a student at The Compton sixth form studying Chemistry, Physics and Spanish. He loves listening to music, skateboarding and the sense of freedom it brings.
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However, in some cases our past memories, before the accident or illness, may still be intact. Here is where music comes into play. Music can help the regeneration of neurons in the brain, known as neurogenesis, ultimately leading to cerebral plasticity, in turn enhancing focus and cognition.
Throughout the series, readers are immersed in a richly imagined world filled with complex characters, political intrigue, and a deep exploration of the nature and consequences of magic. Schwab masterfully weaves together elements of adventure, suspense, and romance, keeping readers hooked until the very end. One of the main strengths of The Shades of Magic fantasies is Schwab's skill at creating vivid and compelling characters. Kell and Lila, the two main protagonists, are both flawed and sympathetic, with their own personal demons and motivations. Their dynamic and complex relationship forms the heart of the story and drives much of the action. Moreover, the series tackles larger themes such as power, identity, and the nature of good and evil. Schwab expertly navigates these weighty subjects, crafting a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Overall, The Shades of Magic fantasies are a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre. Schwab combines imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and expert storytelling to create a series that is both unique and captivating. Whether you want to explore different shades of magic or get lost in a thrilling adventure, these books are sure to leave a lasting impression..
Reviews for "Breaking Barriers: LGBT+ Representation in the Shades of Magic Fantasies"
1. Sofia - 2/5 - I was extremely disappointed with "The Shades of Magic" fantasy series. The concept of parallel universes fascinated me, but I found the execution lacking. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing of the plot felt off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. Overall, I felt like this series had so much potential, but it fell short in almost every aspect.
2. Max - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "The Shades of Magic" fantasies. I found the writing style to be convoluted and overly descriptive, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The world-building was also incredibly confusing, with too many unnecessary details and constant jumping between parallel universes. The characters were uninteresting and lacked depth, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates. I found this series to be a tedious and frustrating read, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Shades of Magic" fantasies, but unfortunately, they fell short for me. While the concept of multiple parallel universes was intriguing, I felt that the execution was confusing and poorly explained. The magic system, in particular, left me feeling unsatisfied and confused. Additionally, the characters lacked development and had little personality beyond their basic traits. The pacing of the plot was also uneven, with moments of action abruptly interrupted by long periods of dull and slow-moving scenes. Overall, I found this series to be lackluster and underwhelming.
4. James - 3/5 - I had mixed feelings about "The Shades of Magic" fantasy series. While I appreciated the world-building and the concept of parallel universes, I found the plot to be predictable and lacking in originality. The characters, although likeable, felt stereotypical and didn't offer much depth. The writing style was average, and I often found myself losing interest in the story. I think this series has its moments, but it didn't live up to the hype for me personally.