Week 53 Review: A Gathering of Shadows

From Goodreads:

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift--back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games--an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries--a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I really enjoy her writing, and I loved the first book, so I was excited to see where things would go in this one! And I really loved the magical games, and learning more about Kell's Red London! 

This book is much slower then the first one, and that makes sense, given that the plot threads of the first book mainly wrapped up there. So we get some down time with these characters, and I enjoyed seeing Lelia as a sailor, learning about her magic, and Kell, preparing for the games! 

This book delves into the ramifications of Kell saving Rhy's life by binding it to his own. Given that Rhy is the prince, the future king, well, it sucks for him the measures taken to keep him safe. Some of which are absolutely infuriating. But we also got to see it from Rhy's side, and while it is a good thing that he's alive, well, maybe it's not in the best way, even if it was in the only way. 

I just have to say, that ending was absolutely evil! Of course it would end on a cliffhanger! But also, there's the possibility that my wonderings about possible red herrings and that Lelia is an Antari might come to fruition! I mean, it's the absolute last chapter, so it's 50/50 on whether or not it it's true or not. So excited to find out! 

This was a fantastic read, and I need to read the final one (at least in this original trilogy) as soon as possible! 

Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: A Darker Shadow of Magic #2
Read: December 31st, 2020
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing and the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2020 Book!
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: February 23rd 2016

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars