A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) by V.E. Schwab is a spellbinding fantasy that weaves together parallel worlds, treacherous magic, and unforgettable characters. The story unfolds across four distinct versions of London—each defined by its relationship to magic: Grey London (drab and mundane, ruled by George III), Red London (vibrant and balanced, where magic flows like a river), White London (brutal and starving, where power is clawed from the weak), and the forbidden Black London (a cautionary ruin lost to greed).
At the heart of the tale is Kell, one of the last Antari, rare magicians who can traverse these worlds. A smuggler of curiosities, Kell’s life unravels when he stumbles upon a relic from Black London—a sentient artifact with deadly hunger. Forced into exile, he allies with Lila Bard, a razor-sharp thief who dreams of piracy and chases danger like a drug. Together, they flee from the tyrannical twins of White London, the suspicions of Red London’s crown, and the creeping corruption of the artifact itself.
Schwab’s prose is as sharp as Lila’s knives, blending swashbuckling action with intimate character studies. The novel explores power’s duality—how magic can nourish or destroy, how ambition can elevate or rot the soul—while delivering a gorgeously gritty world. With its morally grey heroes, inventive magic system, and a cliffhanger that thrums with tension, A Darker Shade of Magic is the first act in a trilogy (A Gathering of Shadows, A Conjuring of Light) that redefines portal fantasy.
Perfect for fans of Six of Crows or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
