"Shades of Magic Book 4" is the final installment in the "Shades of Magic" series written by V.E. Schwab. Published in 2019, this book continues the thrilling and magical journey of the main characters, Kell and Lila. The series is set in a world divided into four parallel Londons: Red London, Grey London, White London, and Black London. Each London has its own level of magic, with Red London being the most prosperous and filled with magic, while Black London is sealed off due to its dark and dangerous magic.
Each London has its own level of magic, with Red London being the most prosperous and filled with magic, while Black London is sealed off due to its dark and dangerous magic. In "Shades of Magic Book 4", readers are taken on a high-stakes quest as Kell and Lila face new challenges and dangers. Kell, a powerful magician known as an Antari, and Lila, a cross-dressing thief, continue to navigate their complicated relationship while battling enemies and uncovering the intricacies of their magical world.
Bear necessity: Designing a mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics
Olympic Mishka, the mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, welcomes visitors of Gorky Central Park. Moscow, USSR.
July 19, 1980 saw the opening of the Olympic Games in Moscow. The mascot for the event – a charming teddy bear with a belt of Olympic symbols – is still popular in many countries around the world. Its author, artist Viktor Chizhikov, tells the story of its creation.
Rossiyskaya Gazeta: How did the story of the Olympic mascot begin?
Viktor Chizhikov: I then worked at a children's publisher and knew nothing about the competition for the Olympic mascot. It all happened by chance. My friend was met by one of the leaders of the Russian Union of Artists, who told him about the competition, that the Olympic Committee had already received 40,000 versions of bears, but the jury could not find a suitable one.
And he suggested that children's artists also take part. The time limit was one month. In about a week, we drew pencil sketches – more than 100 bears – and took them to the Olympic Committee. After some time, my wife met my friend in the street and asked him: "Why are you so sad?" He answered: "I just found out that Vitka's [a diminutive of Viktor] bear passed, and mine didn't."
Viktor Chizhikov. Source: Vyacheslav Un Da-sin/TASS
RG: So they chose your sketch. And were there any special instructions afterward from the Communist Party to adjust the image?
V. C.: I had to draw a bear that was unlike any other bear drawn by thousands of artists. This is a difficult task, the one that was facing me. Our country should not have been in any case accused of plagiarism. And Mishka, thank God, passed the exam.
RG: Your Mishka is very different from those represented by the foreign press.
V. C.: A Russian bear was often used in political cartoons. It was an obscene, boorish bear. But I wanted to make an optimistic image, for it to appeal to the best human feelings. It took me long to convey the "Olympic" quality of Mishka. At first I thought of putting a multicolored cap on it – with each wedge of the color of the flag of the Olympics participating countries. But because of the cap, you could not see the ears. Hang medals around the neck? But they hang them on all mascots. The beaver in Canada also had medals.
They said I copied Mishka from my housemate, composer Valery Zubkov. I didn’t argue, a good man. In reality, I saw Mishka with an Olympic belt in a dream. It happened many times when I was working on an image. The main thing is to instantly wake up and draw it, or you forget it.
In August 1977, there was an exhibition in Moscow, where 64 bears were presented. The president of the IOC, Lord Michael Killanin, came. He looked and looked and suddenly stopped right by my work and said: "This is it!" I was told this by one journalist.
I got a call from the Olympic Committee only after a month, probably they were waiting for the party's approval: "Congratulations, your bear has been approved." That's the whole biography of the bear. However, it cost me a lot of nerves.
Olympic Mishka flying away from the Lenin Central Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 22nd Summer Olympic Games. Source: Semyon Maisterman and Nikolai Naumenkov/TASS
RG: You mean the copyright registration process?
V. C.: Nothing was legally formalized. I was asked to sign documents affirming that I had carried out the work under the title of "Funny Little Bear."
They gave me 1,300 rubles in the Olympic Committee's accounts department and some more money came to my bank account. In total, I received about 2,000 rubles [the average monthly salary in the USSR in 1980 was 120 rubles – RBTH].
The mascot shouldered over 90 percent of the Olympic propaganda. But that's not the main thing. After the 1980 Olympics, the world's attitude toward us significantly improved, and Mishka played a considerable role in this. I had an unusual mission, and I did a good job.
It was a rare stroke of luck. I love it like my own child. And I am very grateful to the director of the 1980 Olympics, Tumanov, for the great image of the bear in the stands. Remember when a tear rolls down its cheek? The likeness wasn’t distorted, which can't be said about the rubber Mishka that flew out of the stadium. I would set totally different proportions.
The image of Mishka was then replicated around the world. I wasn’t surprised when I saw it in a different guise: In the form of a bottle of perfume, for example, or on a box of matches. And in Prague, my Mishka promotes the Museum of Communism. It is depicted on a poster with a Kalashnikov assault rifle – although there is a hope for peace in the eyes of my Mishka.
Some merchant sailors told me that, when in Polynesia, they presented a poster with Mishka to a Papuan leader. Those were the places visited by [Russian explorer] Miklouho-Maclay. That's funny.
The article has been published in an abbreviated form. First published in Russian by Rossiyskay Gazeta.
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The book delves deeper into the history of the Londons and explores the consequences of magic falling into the wrong hands. It showcases complex characters, intricate world-building, and fast-paced action, captivating readers until the very end. V.E. Schwab's writing style is highly praised for its descriptive and atmospheric qualities. The magical elements of the series are vividly brought to life, immersing readers in a rich and enchanting world. Overall, "Shades of Magic Book 4" is a satisfying conclusion to the series. It ties up loose ends, answers lingering questions, and provides a thrilling and emotional conclusion to the story of Kell and Lila. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, magic, and adventure..
Reviews for "The Legacy of 'Shades of Magic' Book 4: How it Fits in the Series"
- John - 2/5 stars - I must say I was quite disappointed with "Shades of Magic book 4". The storyline felt convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots. Additionally, the character development felt lacking compared to the previous books. Overall, it felt like the book was trying too hard to include everything and ended up losing its focus. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
- Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Shades of Magic book 4" had its moments, I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. The pacing seemed off, with long stretches of monotony interrupted by sudden bursts of action. I also wasn't particularly fond of the new characters introduced in this installment, as they were underdeveloped and lacked depth. Overall, it was an average read for me, not as captivating as the previous books in the series.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the "Shades of Magic" series, I was anticipating the release of book 4 with excitement. However, I ultimately found it to be a letdown. The plot felt meandering and disjointed, and the resolution of certain storylines left much to be desired. Additionally, I felt that the author relied too heavily on certain tropes and clichés, making the book predictable and unoriginal. Overall, I found "Shades of Magic book 4" to be a lackluster addition to an otherwise enjoyable series.