A Darker Shade of Magic

This book has a pretty cool concept, but I just never connected with the delivery. The idea of parallel Londons, each one with different degrees of magical content is a interesting, but I think at the end of the book, that's about all I took away. The main characters are pretty flat and occasionally make such obviously bad choices as to be frustrating and neither of them stand out enough from the slew of mages and rogues before them to really make an impact. The villains are villainous, the heroes are heroic, and if that's about all there is to it.

It does have a couple of elements I really enjoyed: openly bisexual characters whose sexuality isn't a plot point, women characters choosing and being allowed to choose traditionally male dress, and a multi-sided coat for all occasions. I have a coat fetish, okay? However, the actual plot felt really contrived with characters being invented just to save the day all the time and an ending that just sort of happens.

I guess in the end I give the book a solid ok. If you're looking for simple, straightforward fantasy, it's a quick read though I think it'll be pretty forgettable on my shelf.