SNEAK PEEK: A Darker Shade of Magic SAMPLE by V.E. SchwabMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary from GoodReads
From V.E. Schwab, the critically acclaimed author of Vicious, comes a new universe of daring adventure, thrilling power, and parallel Londons, beginning with A Darker Shade of Magic.
Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands.
There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there’s Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London...but no one speaks of that now.
Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, who first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.
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An incredible mix of fantasy, world travel and adventure. Even as I got the sneak peak, it kept me focused on the story and on the unfolding mystery of Kell and his power. I have to admit that both covers were the first parts I noticed and when I first read the descriptions of the cape, it felt even better than the invisibility Cloak.
"A darker shade of Magic" has a detailed world building which is NOT confusing, since the author spends great deal on explaining it even from the first pages. The Book will be on my shelf when it will be published. I was delighted to be gifted with an EARC from NetGalley!
In exchange for an honest review.
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The Novice by Taran MatharuMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Summary from GoodReads
When blacksmith apprentice Fletcher discovers that he has the ability to summon demons from another world, he travels to Adept Military Academy. There the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. Fletcher is put through grueling training as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs. He must tread carefully while training alongside children of powerful nobles. The power hungry, those seeking alliances, and the fear of betrayal surround him. Fletcher finds himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with only his demon Ignatius for help.
As the pieces on the board maneuver for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands. The Novice is the first in a trilogy about Fletcher, his demon Ignatius, and the war against the Orcs.
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I recieved an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
When I learnt that the author had come from Wattpad, I was surprised and thrilled. It's rare to see authors becoming known through the online writting community.
The Novice takes place in a world where high fantasy rules and a boy discovers a deadly power. When I first began reading the book I got a deja vu sense of Lord of the Rings. Orcs for example. There is a great deal of conspiracy in it, which at some point gor confusing and tiring for me. I believe that the author will try and explain the world of the book better on the next sequel but still I had one objection.
To the spirit of relationships, there was no romance and the demon sometimes got my nerves. But Fletcher learns basic skills and become more independent and strong. For now and for an author at the beginning of his journey it was a good read.
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