A Gathering of Shadows
Ratings437
Average rating4
DNF - PG 52
Why?
Lila.
I mean, look, I hated her in the first book and thought Kell was so super boring, but this book starts with Lila, reminding me of just why I hate her so much and then I captured spoilers that my worst fears were confirmed: Lila and Kell fall in love. Ugh.
So, this book goes back to the library in two days, I cannot read 500 pages of this ... this in that time and .... (It took me 14 days to read 52 pages. Which I likely read all in one day and then didn't touch the book again for 13 days.)
Honestly, the only person I'm even halfway interested in is Holand and, truthfully, with the way he was handled in book one, I'll likely be unhappy with any resolution with his character. (Kell and Rhys are almost tolerable when they are together, but that hardly ever happens.)
I think I should just admit that Schwab's writing is not for me because I thought Vicious was filled with underdeveloped characters and a lack of emotion, as well.
After finishing A Darker Shade of Magic, the first book in Schwab’s Shades of Magic trilogy, I found myself wondering what she was going to do with a sequel. After all, Darker Shade is a very strong standalone novel that doesn’t really set things up for a trilogy. After reading A Gathering of Shadows, I am more convinced that Schwab didn’t exactly know what she was going to do either, but she still managed to write a mostly great book.
Something that Schwab nails throughout A Gathering of Shadows is vibes. Vibes can carry a book a long way for me and A Gathering of Shadows has fantastic vibes. It’s just a really fun read thanks to its sexy, adventurous atmosphere. From the moment the book starts it’s a damn good time. It’s such a good time that I managed to ignore some of the things I didn’t like about it. A Gathering of Shadows is a weird book in that I have a much easier time verbalizing what I didn’t like about it as opposed to what I did like about it despite me being mostly positive on it overall. Sometimes a writer just knows how to construct a really fun reading experience without necessarily being technically perfect and that’s totally ok. I honestly think A Gathering of Shadows is a more enjoyable book than its predecessor even if I do think Shadows has a far weaker plot and more annoying dialogue. Schwab just gets how to put characters in positions that make them interesting and that is key. Do I wish that she had done a better job in Darker Shade of making these positions make more sense? Of course, but she didn’t do that and Shadows is still a really fun ride that I would gladly recommend to people who enjoyed the first book. I can’t say I’m super excited for the conclusion to this trilogy but if there’s anyone who can make a great book out of otherwise mediocre attributes, it’s Schwab.
IF I HAD A NICKEL FOR EVERY SERIES WHERE THE SECOND BOOK HAD A BALCONY KISS THAT WAS BRED FROM LONGING AND DESPARATION AND LOVE....id have 2 nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice
Okay. Just finished and am writing initial thoughts. Probs won't update. Enjoy
Once it got going. Oh my gosh. Simply could not put it down.
The added tournament. Yes. Tri-Wizard anyone? Holland = devious. But I do get his motives.
I was in shock the whole book.
For the people who said that nothing happened till the end-did we read the same book? Or are you just people who expect the two main characters to interact the whole time? I really liked that Lila and Kell had separate storylines that intertwined without them knowing. Idk truly impressed after the first book.
Unfortunately this one was more a long set up for the next book than a standalone.
Oh My God. What did I just read? I loved the first book and I have super loved the second one one. I have just purchased the last book in the trilogy and preordered the spin-off, which releases in under a month. I think you get the point
Great book! Lots of action, lots of character development. The ending of the book definitely makes you want to pick up the next one. Lucky for me, I have it! Such a great world Schwab has built and it's a place I'd like to visit myself (if it were possible). Looking forward to the next book and wrapping up the Series!
Kell did basically nothing this entire book. Lila and Alucard were basically the whole story. I liked the pirating very much. I always enjoy pirates and magical ones are even better. But I did hope that these characters could collide a little more. Rhy and Lila's interaction in the first book made me very excited for them to become friends but instead, they really only talk for two sentences in the whole thing.
I also don't much care for stopping a book in the middle of a story much less in the middle of a single interaction. It felt like the scene wasn't even over.
4.5 stars
It took me a while to finish this one, but I can officially say that I'm obsessed with this series.
I love Kell and Lila. They're my favorite characters. But every single one of the characters in this book intrigues me: Holland, Alucard, Rhy, Lenos, the King, the Queen, Tieren. All of them are interesting characters that kept me invested in the story.
And that ending... it killed me!!! What a cliffhanger!!!
Not a fan of “not like most girls” vibe, though. I still loved it anyway.
Pros: just as pretty, stylish, and dramatic as the first one, but perhaps even a bit more fun (the tournament is a blast). Reminds me of how aesthetically pleasing the Night Circus is. I also really appreciated the relationship between the brothers; they're not rivals, or power beholden to each other like lots of fantasy would have. They really love each other, and it gives the whole book a warm-hearted twinge that drives it all.
Cons: a little bit of a bait and switch from the last book's finale, but I do sympathize that it's hard to have a plot with high stakes in book 2 of 3 (you need it to have its own problems but still tie in well with the other two). Schwab solved this with a blatant cliffhanger, which I don't love, but who am I to judge
4.5 stars. I enjoyed the continuing development of the story and world. But it felt like a slow book, where not an awful lot really happened. Also as much as I love lilah, there are some parts of her development that just make me roll my eyes. Where my belief was suspended just a bit too far in what she's capable of, or how she would act. But despite that, I'll be checking out the next one.
My notes while reading this were: I love Lila Bard! I think the most interesting person to follow is always Lila. Kell and Rhy and their angsty petulance are why this fits into YA. I love them, don't get me wrong, they've just dragged out the tortured prince trope through the whole series thus far. I love Alucard and his cat. I love his and Rhy's connection. This series is so good, but for some reason, it reads slow. I have to start the next one right now because, hello cliffhanger.
I had the feeling that this story kind of didn't continue upon what was left unsaid in the previous book but was kind of an in between event. Only in the end this changed. But this did make it less exciting to read or at least the stakes were lower which I found kind of sad. I did like that we got a lot more backstory about Lila that was great.
Fucking brilliant. I couldn't put it down
I would reread this all day long
V E Schwab writing improves with each book and I love her style. Immersive, brilliant well thoughtful characters that make me want to hug them (and I don't do hugs)
Book starts slow but picks up. Tensions are high. And the ending made me buy the third immediately.
Full of fighting games and characters internal struggles I wanted to cry and cheer at the same time. So many emotions went though while Reading this book.
Kell and Rhy are precious
Lila Bard is the best badass I've met
(Also the king is a C***)
But this book got me out of a slump! Big time.
One of my top favourites this year.
There's a reason why I'm obsessed with every single one of Victoria Schwab's books. Maybe it's the unique stories, or the amazing characters, or just the outstanding writing. Whatever it is, A Gathering of Shadows is no exception. Like all of Victoria's books, it is 500 pages of pure, creative writing that blew me away at each word.
Ever since I finished A Darker Shade of Magic in November, I have waited, quite impatiently, for this book. And every second of free time I've had since the moment, on Tuesday, when I ran to my mailbox after arriving home from school, has been spent invested into the beautiful world that Schwab has created. That ending has left me craving more, and I don't know how I am going to wait until the next book. I need more Kell. I need more Lila. I need more Rhy. I just need book three.