Four Londons? A magician prince smuggler? A street urchin who longs to be a pirate? Yes please. On those points alone, A Darker Shade of Magic had me hooked from early on. Sometimes a book comes along that I’ve heard the name of plenty but have somehow managed to avoid hearing anything else. Mostly to my own detriment, but I find it only makes heightens the experience when it starts off like this.
“No,” he said. “That’s not magic, Lila. That’s just murder.”
What are the different Londons?
This isn’t really a spoiler since right off the first page we get introduced to the idea that there are four Londons stacked essentially on top of each other. In reality, it’s four entire worlds but whether London is the focus because it’s the linchpin between them, or just to keep the scope of the story small is yet to be seen (and probably soemthing that will be touched upon in the rest of the series). Each of these London’s has a colour assigned to it by half of our protagonist duo, Kell:
Grey London: Our London just after the turn of the 1800’s. A world without magic, and home to our other protagonist, Lila Bard (the wannabe pirate).
Red London: Kell’s home and a world in a golden age full of magic.
White London: A dangerous London where a diminishing amount of magic has left the rulers and populous brutal and uncaring.
Black London: A world that destroyed itself through magic and had to be forever sealed off.
The fact that each London is so quickly distinguished from each other is one of the book’s greatest strengths, rivalled by the fact this distinction is tied intrinsically to the magic and subsequently the plot of the book. This helps offset the inherent issue so many fantasy books face. We’re introduced to whole worlds that the scope of one book just can’t cover. Even the Stormlight Archive or Wheel of Time with their abundance of words never truly explore just one world let alone the promise of three others.
The fact we’re constantly told about four ‘Londons’ instead of four ‘worlds’ feels weird and slightly triggering to a northern englishman such as myself (who is used to London pretending like england ends once you reach the M25), but it’s a necessary trade off for this book to feel focused. Plus, it does open us up for sequel potential…
“There’s Dull London, Kell London, Creepy London, and Dead London,”
But what is the plot of a Darker Shade of Magic?
Normally, the plot of a book can be fairly easily described, albeit briefly, without spoilers. Even if the true plot doesn’t get revealed until later on, you have a fake plot or subplot that pulls the reader along until they can understand the full scope of the story.
I can’t do that here. The first third to a half just lacks one. I’m serious. We start by following the royal prince and magician, Kell, running errands for the royal families slinking around each London as the world’s most overpaid postman. Then we get introduced to our other viewpoint, Delilah Bard, who’s stuck in a rut whilst seeking adventure but can’t escape a pub in Grey London.
Then we get more of that. Then some more. It takes us far too long into the book before we discover even the purpose of the story. It’s so far in that describing this quest feels like I would be giving a spoiler, even though so much of the book revolves around it. The best way I can describe it is that the two protagonists cross paths and are forced to travel from Grey London through all the other London’s one at a time, where hijinks naturally throw them off course. (As a side note, they way V. E. Schwab does this is by having them always split up when they jump worlds. This is used with great effect throughout the book and creates fun apprehension each time they go to a new London.)
I can’t help but feel that this is just a learnt habit from the author’s past, writing primarily romance novels where the premise of the type of story is much more set by the genre. Instead of a clear inciting incident, we get to see each character as they are, and what they’re missing. In a romance, we know they’re going to meet and fall in love. Whilst here, I know the characters now but I don’t know what sort of adventure it will be, or if there will be an adventure. The saving grace in all this is that very early on we see Kell visit the pub that Delilah ends up at which at least sets the promise that they will meet.
“Lila knew what it felt like to want something, knew the way it whispered and sang and screamed in your bones.”
But is Darker Shade of Magic spicy?
There is a love story, but it takes a real back seat to the rest of the events. So much that the use of the word love feels extreme. We get a few hints at romance, but I feel like the low level promises are met. The first meeting between the characters could definitely be pulled from a saucy romance (the quote at the end of this section hints at as much…) but short of Lilah using her first experience of the magic to create the start of a striptease, the book never gets more PG than that. In fact, by the end, the romance elements feel a little forced. Though, whether that’s forced by the author or by the characters themselves, I am unsure.
That being said, the interactions between Kell and Lilah are stars of the book for me. Both of these characters are introduced as lone wolf types and they insist that to still be the case for the most part. It’s a joy watching them soften and break through the other’s defences. When they finally relent and don’t actively see the other as an impedance it feels natural and well earned.
Reading other reviews is always interesting, but especially so for this book. The characters really divide people’s opinions. So many love one and hate the other, and in truth I can see why. Both are heavily flawed characters, but in such a way that I can relate. They are well developed characters but unless you relate to them, you can’t help but focus on their flaws. For me this was a refreshing break from the usual style of fantasy protagonists. Sure, I love the clearly a good guy character, but watching Kell forced by duty and Lilah driven by selfish desire was a fun break.
Her smile only sharpened. “What are you really?”
“Tied to your bed,” said Kell matter-of-factly.
“And?”
His brow furrowed. “And in trouble.”
Who else?
Alongside our core duo, the book shines in the characterisations of the eclectic side cast. From Kell’s overly charismatic brother to the longsuffering innkeeper of the pub in grey london, we quickly get a feel for these supporting characters, their ties and their motivations. Each one is brought to life well and don’t get lost amongst the not-insubstantial cast.
A special mention has to go to the king and queen of White London. Astrid and Athos Dane are characters that will live with me for a long time. It feels rare that characters with dramatic introductions such as theirs ever live up to the impression given, and I feel like the book is worth reading just for them.
“Yes. Because unless you plan to wed me yourself—and don’t get me wrong, I think we’d make a dashing pair—I must try and find a mate.”
Overall Opinion
I really enjoyed this book. Despite the slow first half, the worldbuilding is fresh and focused and kept me reading. By the time we did hit the plot, it became clear how efficiently the story had been set up. Each domino that had been painstakingly set upright fell to great effect. Every promise was paid off and done so with a quick pace. We bounce from London to London in a rush and don’t need to slow for exposition. This helps keep the urgency high and me reading until the end.
“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still”
Is there a sequel to a Darker Shade of Magic?
This book was definitely written in the tried and tested style of standalone with series potential. The worldbuilding is interesting and explored enough for me to be satisfied, but I am left with just enough questions that I’m keen to read the next in the trilogy, which for me is the best place to leave off.
“For the ones who dream of stranger worlds.”
Beyond The Spine Reviews 