There’s just a hint or two that there may be more than just friendship on the horizon, which is both realistic and lovely at the same time. Instead, it’s more about how Kell and Lila gradually come to trust one another, and how their initially antagonistic relationship develops into something stronger through their mutual desire to put things right and save the world(s). A romance storyline between the two could easily have taken centre stage, and yet this particular element is remarkably downplayed and subtle. However, their relationship is not the sole focus of the story – much to the author’s credit. The relationship between Kell and Lila is an integral part of the story much of the novel’s humour arises from their interactions and the dry way in which they antagonise one another. An unlikely pairing, but one which works together well, travelling between Londons to thwart the villains trying to bring doom upon both their worlds.
Each of these Londons (not all of which are actually called London) is vastly different from the others: Red London is a magic-infused paradise, Grey London is akin to early 19th century England, White London is dangerous and filled with half-starved cannibals, and the less said about Black London the better.Ī Darker Shade of Magic focuses on two incredibly likeable characters: Kell, a powerful magician and adopted member of the Red London royal family and Lila, a dirt-poor thief from Grey London who dreams of adventure. Each of the four worlds – closed off from one another after terrible past events – are completely different, yet all have a single common point: the city of London. Or I should say worlds, of which there are four.
A Darker Shade of Magic is filled with beautiful settings and bloody magic, cross-dressing thieves and nefarious villains, magical utopias and fearsome dystopias – not to mention fun adventures and several heroic attempts to save the world.
Luckily, there’s an equally gorgeous story lying behind it. That’s what covers are for, isn’t it? And this is one seriously gorgeous cover! I mean, look at that bad boy: I’m a little bit embarrassed to admit that I bought this book solely because of its cover.Īctually, no.
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