"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.
The Saturnalia was presided over by a king, chosen especially for the occasion, known as the Saturnalicius princeps or 'leader of the Saturnalia.' Sometimes he is referred to as the 'Lord of Misrule' as he was selected from the lowliest members of a household and given the right to conduct light-hearted mischief. It was a festive period when people gave gifts to one another. Slaves had the freedoms enjoyed by ordinary citizens and were now able to gamble, get drunk in public, and throw aside the cloak of decorum they were meant to present at any other time of the year. More informal clothes (synthesis) were worn by citizens instead of the usual toga, and there was a general round of feasts, partying, game playing, and merrymaking for all. These events made it the jolliest Roman festival in the calendar; a fact which led Catullus to famously describe it as 'the best of times.'
The Saturnalia enjoyed great longevity for it was famously described in the 5th century CE work of the same name by Macrobius, who selected it as the setting for his dialogue where the protagonists display a certain nostalgia for a time when Rome s pagan rituals were more prominent, before the growing influence of Christianity. The Temple of Saturn, the oldest temple recorded by the pontiffs, had been dedicated on the Saturnalia, and the woolen bonds which fettered the feet of the ivory cult statue within were loosened on that day to symbolize the liberation of the god.
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.
Saturnalia
The was an enduring Roman festival dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn which was held between the 17th and 23rd of December each year during the winter solstice. Originating from archaic agricultural rituals the Roman festivities came to include a general round of gift-giving, merrymaking, and role-reversals so that it became one of the most popular celebrations in the calendar and certainly the jolliest. The similarities of some of its features and the timing - pushed later into December over time - suggest a strong influence on the Christian celebration of Christmas.
Saturn
The focus of the Saturnalia and the god who gave his name to the festival was Saturn (or Saturnus), who is something of a mysterious figure in Roman religion. Depictions of the god in surviving art have him wearing a veil and brandishing either a sickle or a pruning knife suggesting a close relation with agriculture and especially seed-growing or seed-corn. With links to indigenous Italian deities and perhaps, too, a version of the Greek god Kronos, he was regarded as a primordial deity who had taught humanity important agricultural skills. He was thought to have ruled when the world enjoyed a Golden Age of prosperity and happiness, hence the general frivolity of his festival.
AdvertisementSaturnalia Festival
Despite Livy's claim that the festival began at the beginning of the 5th century BCE, there is evidence it began much earlier. The Saturnalia enjoyed great longevity for it was famously described in the 5th century CE work of the same name by Macrobius, who selected it as the setting for his dialogue where the protagonists display a certain nostalgia for a time when Rome's pagan rituals were more prominent, before the growing influence of Christianity.
During the Saturnalia there was a general round of feasts, partying, game playing & merrymaking for all.
Starting off as a one-day holiday the Saturnalia eventually expanded to cover a week by the Late Republic. Augustus reduced the festivities to a more modest three days, but his successor Caligula increased it to five days, and it seems that, in practice, ordinary people celebrated for the full seven days anyway, despite the official decrees.
AdvertisementThe Saturnalia was presided over by a king, chosen especially for the occasion, known as the Saturnalicius princeps or 'leader of the Saturnalia.' Sometimes he is referred to as the 'Lord of Misrule' as he was selected from the lowliest members of a household and given the right to conduct light-hearted mischief. It was a festive period when people gave gifts to one another. Slaves had the freedoms enjoyed by ordinary citizens and were now able to gamble, get drunk in public, and throw aside the cloak of decorum they were meant to present at any other time of the year. More informal clothes (synthesis) were worn by citizens instead of the usual toga, and there was a general round of feasts, partying, game playing, and merrymaking for all. These events made it the jolliest Roman festival in the calendar; a fact which led Catullus to famously describe it as 'the best of times.'
Saturn Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA)One peculiarity of the Saturnalia was not merely the relaxing but reversal of ordinary roles and social conventions, whereby, for example, masters would wear the freed-slave felt hat (pilleus) and wait on their slaves (or at least eat together in the same room) who were permitted to do as they wished and even display a touch of insolence. This element of the festival was perhaps a safety valve designed to release the social pressures built up over the year within Roman society's strict social conventions.
AdvertisementThe end of the celebrations was marked by the buying and giving of candles, such trifles as jellied figs, and especially the small terracotta figurines or sigilla which were on sale in the special market, the sigillaria. This fair gave its name to the last day of the festivities, and it was traditional for people to give money to their dependents so that they could buy the cheap goods on offer there.
Temple of Saturn, Roman Forum Leo-seta (CC BY)Temple of Saturn
The focal point of the Saturnalia festival was the temple dedicated to Saturn in the north-west corner of the Forum of Rome. The first shrine to the god was the Ara Saturni. This was replaced by a temple c. 497 BCE built by the dictator Titus Tatius. This structure was itself replaced in the 4th century CE by the Temple of Saturn, eight majestic columns of which still stand at the site today. Besides its religious function, during the Republic, the temple also housed the public treasury (aerarium), a role it kept, albeit in a more limited function, through the Imperial period.
Within the temple once stood a cult statue of Saturn which became the centre of attention during the Saturnalia when his feet were symbolically freed from the woollen bonds that tied him up for the rest of the year, another manifestation of the role-reversals of the celebrations. This act has led to Saturn being associated with liberation, certainly a prominent feature of the Saturnalia festival, when the stifling Roman social conventions, if only for a week, were thrown to the winter winds.
That said, there was of course a highly important religious component to the ancient Saturnalia celebrations. This took place at the Temple of Saturn, and involved unbinding the feet of a Saturn statue as a symbol of liberation. It is worth noting that the priest’s head was uncovered for this ritual—perhaps a nod to the holiday’s tradition of role reversal, as Roman priests typically covered their heads.
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 "Comparing 'Shades of Magic' Book 4 to the Previous Installments"
- 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.