A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by V.E. Schwab
As always, V.E. Schwab has a wonderful way of creating complex characters and compelling fantasy worlds that are so real you feel like you could step through the pages and walk right alongside them. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors as she writes these worlds with a fantastic balance of descriptive, action and emotional scenes. You begin to love the world she created while also loving her twisted characters.
Once again, I found myself cheering for these characters even as they lie, disobey or cheat. The Essen Tasch, a tournament of the best magic wielders added a thrilling competition and backdrop to the rest of the story. It brings our favorite characters from the first book together while also adding some new chaos to the mix. Although the majority of the book focuses on the tournament, there is a dark threat looming that you get snippets of until it crashes down at the very end of the book with a wonderful, albeit annoying, cliffhanger.
This book in the series goes deeper into this world and developing the characters and their relationships. I love Lila's give no shits attitude but am also frustrated by her I'll think about everything later plan. In a mostly good way as her antics cause for some thrilling and entertaining scenes. Some great developments happen such as Kell starting to come to terms with certain things that occurred in the first book. But it also promises some new horror in the final book that I can't wait for.
Synopsis: 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.