PROS and CONS of a darker shade of magic series ✨ | spoiler-free review + discussion

The Shades of magic series spoiler-free book review and spoiler discussion! Let's talk about a darker shade of magic, a gathering of shadows and a conjuring of light, by V.E. Schwab!
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🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 22 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
🌹 m u s i c
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[@InsidiousJazz]

The contrast between grey London and all the other Londons really helped me realize how much real life sucks. Thanks V.E. Schwab!

[@mikaelab7485]

Any time anyone mentioned ADSOM my lizard brain always just goes into Holland overdrive. He’s (imo) the best part of the series

[@aurora_skies_]

He is! He had the most interesting ARC imo

[@HollowMoonReads]

Holland is, by far, the best character.

[@lambykin842]

Ikr!

[@emilial9848]

For me it's him and Rhy

[@valeriag9443]

I wish we would’ve gotten more of his background because he’s so SO interesting

[@DanielCifer]

Watching book reviews is probably the best way to pick my next book to read since I'd have somewhat of an idea of what I'm getting myself into before I start the books. Picking up a book without knowing anything about it beforehand can sometimes be an exciting experience but could often turn out to be a waste of time spent to read something that doesn't appeal to me at all. Really enjoyed the review and hope to see more of those in the future.

[@sin3358]

Personally I have a habit of watching reviews in order to pick books for my tbr pile because that's what every reader does. And I categorize them into different groups, and this book I put into dark academia, magical kinda book. I really wanted to read smth dark and fantastical as of lately so I finally bought this book. Spoiler free reviews are amazing. Often I don't even watch the entire video, I just hear the description and know immediately if I wanna read it or nah

[@aimun5255]

As for Lila and Kell's relationship, I feel like in general we enjoy the forming of a relationship, the tension, the banter, the intense first love/attraction but then when all the obstacles are cleared, it just loses some of the appeal?? Idk if I'm saying it right but that's kinda what if seems like to me. Not for all couples tho but very few writers keep an established relationship interesting

[@clementineleroux2739]

Totally agreed like when they are finally together there’s less of the tension and attraction in a way.

[@aimun5255]

I LOVEEE reviews even if you're really late to the party, always love hearing people talk about my favs

[@Hanan_9602]

you captured exactly what i felt was missing in book 1! I think ill give book 2 a try now bc there were definitely aspects of the first book that I did really enjoyed. I like this kind of series review! I hope you continue doing them, i think with this format you can get into (like you discussed here) character arcs and the flow of the story over the series. I hope you do more of these!

[@ewaldkostergunnsisko3491]

I personally like reviews and think it is a nice addition for your channel as well. As for ideas, how about thought on how they could turn it into a film or series. For ADSOM I was thinking an animated series along the lines of Castlevania or ATLA.

[@yoannam.2243]

The first book is actually my favorite. I was happy that there wasn't any romance yet, but still I shipped Kel and Laila so hard. A Darker Shade of Magic is one of my all time favorite series. SPOILER: - - - I knew she was an antari when they mention her eye.

[@supitz_dee4237]

Same, I had a theory when they mentioned her eye along with the fact she could travel through worlds which was basically confirmed when she had the talk with Tieren.

[@redderlondon]

i read the entire series in less than a week and although i did not really care for lila & kell in the 1st book, when i got to AGOS i was shipping them so hard and it went on till the last book. i guess if u read them consecutively within that short period of time, u'll be going on the high of the last book's romance. i still loved it and theyre my fave characters.

[@TheBookLeo]

yes i still love their characters regardless!

[@ashleytsang]

Loved your review, keep doing them! Gathering of Shadows was definitely my least favorite of the series just because like you said I don't think a lot happened, but also possibly because Lila started playing a bigger role and I never quite clicked with her character for the same reasons you did - she was just too stubborn and headstrong for my taste. But I do think she was well written like you said and I do respect her as a part of the team!

[@ipdipdu]

That’s my least favourite of the books for the same reason.

[@valeriag9443]

YES Lila was so annoying and extremely “not like other girls” and then when the big reveal happens I got why she was written like that but still she was so annoying that it took me longer to read

[@EllaKowalski9]

ADSOM a summary: "Lila please don't do tha... oh she did it anyway" Cons: Lila Pros: Everything else

[@reagyragu]

this is my favorite series!! and ve schwab is my favorite author! I’m actually rereading the series right now with some friends :-)

[@TheBookLeo]

yess ve schwab is my favourite as well!

[@kroxel6185]

This sounds like the perfect series for me because I’m also very character-driven. And I also didn’t liked the different povs in books but after hearing you I’m actually pretty excited to give it a try! Thank you for sharing this series with us!

[@booksforsarah2197]

HARD agree! This is definitely a new favourite series of mine for sure but there were a couple “big reveals” that I saw coming (and I usually suck at guessing plot twists haha). But I loved the multiple POVs and like you usually I’m not the biggest fan but here they were ALL important and interesting. I’m so glad you loved the series ☺️❤️

[@sutomuarashi]

just going to put this here: holland! deserved! better! also: talya has no rights

[@chap5674]

Wow i was just about to go to sleep its 1 am but guess i gotta stay up for this

[@zaynesbooknook4873]

mood 😂

[@Julija12]

ok that's it, it's going straight onto my wishlist!!🤩

[@TheBookLeo]

yes yes yeeees

[@TomerArmarnik]

People do watch reviews and even choose books based on them. I have recently read the author's Vicious book and was wondering which other books of her should I get. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, looking forward to read and see more of your clips.

[@Ligitness8010]

I love your videos (and reviews)! You're so well spoken and clearly highly intelligent - you're my favorite booktuber so keep posting and sharing your opinions! 💛

[@KFoxtheGreat]

This is perfect timing for me! I'm planning to post my review for the first book this week and basically my thoughts were in line with yours. Thanks for the great video! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series :)

[@bookswithike3256]

Kell and Lila were better as friends imo. Like they're not remotely implied to have a romantic connection in the first book, and then in the second they're suddenly pining after each other? Like, no, actually develop the relationship or don't have it at all.

[@jaziybabe]

Thank you for this! I’m a little over half way through the first book rn and I’ve been considering dnfing. I’m just kinda bored and not connecting to the characters. I too and a character driven reader but there isn’t really any character development or plot to speak of so far. This is encouraging me to continue. I like it enough to push through if it gets better! Cuz the world is so unique and fascinating, I just need something to actually happen with it! Lol

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

I've read a sample of this book. And found the parallel Londons (worlds) was an amazing concept and the use of blood magic to travel.

[@jurishdelacruz2750]

Just recently found your channel and your reviews are amazing! I’ve watched other book tubers talk about this series and was not able to convince me to read it. But your review made me consider it.

[@kinrateia]

SPOILER . . . . . . . . . Knew that Lila was Antari since they mentioned her eye.

[@miller6278]

Your spoiler isn't covered up. I think you need to add a few more rows.

[@roberta538]

Please add more rows to your comment, I read the spoiler before reading the books just by scrolling because it isn't hidden :(

[@kinrateia]

Sorry to everyone who already caught the spoiler :c Added more rows!

[@emilial9848]

I think everybody did. I was sooo mad about that.

[@PirateQueen1720]

Good to get your perspective on these - The first book is on my TBR but I hadn't realized it was a series. Nice to know that it not only keeps going but gets better!

[@bookbrowsingblog]

I love this video! And I completely agree with what you say about Lila and Kell in AGOS (I won't say more because of spoilers!) but it was extremely well done and had me super invested!

[@hannahjcattanach3324]

I just borrowed A Darker Shade of magic from a friend, super excited to dig into it

[@marril96]

Thank you for this! Been considering acquiring these books lately and this review helped me make up my mind. I wanna read them!

[@TheBookLeo]

yes they're so great!

[@jq8164]

I just read the first book in the series! I was kinda disappointed since a lot of people said the first book was pretty awesome but I agreed with your points. It felt solid and brimming with potential but weren't brought out enough. I still wanna continue the series though! Just debating on Addie Larue or continue Shades of Magic after buying it ends with us.

[@mattkean1128]

Book reviews are great! I look them up before most books I read.

[@miguelzarate8145]

You are just so likeable and genuine

[@Sara-lazy-cat]

thank you for the review, it was super helpful

[@akeemgreen4144]

got up this morning didnt say a word just plugged in my headphones and listen to some songs and just relaxed to this vid good way to start the day no communication just good old vids and headphones

[@pendragon2012]

I need to check this series out--sounds right up my alley!

[@TheBookishMom]

I have read the 1st book so far and really enjoyed it! I ordered the other 2 books and am waiting on them to get here so I can finish the series!

[@leilareads5375]

i just got the first book a couple days ago! i'm so excited to start reading the series!! :)

[@TheBookLeo]

ohhh i hope you like it!

[@Kaffeyyyyy]

SPOILERS Two things: 1. How did kell not notice that one of lilas eyes doesnt move??? 2. This one's silly. When i realized that alucards name is dracula but backwards i was so confused. I really thought it would be part of the plot, maybe that he is actually from grey london or something lmao i was wainting the whole time for it to be mentioned it really distracted me way too much 😂

[@biahope8041]

Well, now I NEED to read this series! Amazing video!!

[@elenathegreat]

I haven't read this series yet and I REALLY want to - I saw the box set on book outlet a few weeks ago, put it in my cart, meant to buy it and then it was sold out when i returned to the site😫

[@NayemasReads]

I LOVE book reviews!

[@ekhan1621]

As always I love your videos. Very nice shirt, all the things girls love, Diamond Ring, Cat, Flowers, Crown, Stars.

[@books_for_bees4476]

SPOILERY COMMENT I totally felt the same way about Lila and Kell between books 2 and 3 and I even read all the books right in a row. It lost some steam from the end of A Gathering of Shadows (also my favorite of the three) to A Conjuring of Light. At that point all I wanted was both of them to stay alive; I already knew they were in love and wanted to be together, you know? The tension from their near-misses was lost already. Also, great content! I really enjoy your thoughts and so more reviews will be fun! :)

[@gamer46ful]

I 100% agree with your opinion on the series as a whole but especially about the romance between Kell and Delilah. I didn't like/care about them at all in the final book and it was just kind of bland. I really felt nothing and found those parts to be a slog. Unlike Rhys romance with Alucard which was top tier.

[@survivorswapped7637]

are you going to do a ballad of songbirds and snakes review?

[@xerxescleaner6222]

I too wasn't really fond of.... ...spoiler... ...Lila being an Antari. I agree with you she is cool without power. But Her + Kell was my OTP not gonna lie

[@shezz2511]

My heary goes out for holland..man that poor man was so hollow inside...😭he didn't deserve that kind of ending 😭

[@hopemills3908]

I really need to finish this series! I started the 3rd one but never finished it.

[@amypink1111]

I like reviews! Thanks for sharing.

[@groove4shine]

I watch this reviews! Thank you for this!

[@LaToyasLibrary]

this is a very helpful review i’m reading book 1 and i thought the characters are flat and like nothing is happening

[@aubreyjdickens]

i need your SPOILER comments on alucard and rhy. my babies. also thoughts on the upcoming threads of power series set in this world. thank you

[@nanotyrannus5435]

I finished A Darker Shade of Magic yesterday. It was a fine book but nothing really grabbed me. Maybe I will continue at another point, but for now it is put on hiatus.

[@callieji8953]

I gave up on the first book. But after your video, I think maybe I should give it another chance.

[@clementineleroux2739]

I loved this serie so much 🥰🥰

[@julievandemoere1194]

I really want to read the series but I'm kinda scared it's going to be intimidating if that makes sense? I haven't read fantasy in sooo long but I want to get into it again, is this the right book or do you have any recommendations? :)

[@cookiejar.mp3]

hi! I read this book by total circumstance and I really don't like fantasy in general, so I gotta say, this book was a perfect re-introduction to the genre! It's a fairly simple magic system (at least in the 1st book) plenty of world building, it is a bit slow paced but that just made it less hard for me grasp. If you're intimidated, don't be! I found it to be very friendly fantasy even if it was high fantasy

[@sanjanarajan5314]

I rarely read fantasy too, but I picked this book series up from a second hand sale and i really actually enjoyed it! The magic system is easy to understand and its quite easy to get into and be immersed in the world! I would say that if you want to get back into fantasy this may be a good book :)

[@aimun5255]

Trust me this series is a gateway into the fantasy genre, even on the slower bits, it's a good journey and flies by, the characters are super likeable (except Lila I guess but you'll still root for her)

[@joanaevora7419]

SPOILER I never guessed Lila was an Antari, am I dumb?😂 Also I actually really like that she was but I agree with you in the sense that Rhy didn't have magic since obviously that's one of his biggest struggles as a character. Also I LOVE ALUCARD AND RHY IT'S JUST THE BEST. I ship them so much more than Lila and Kell and tbh I am not the biggest fan of their romance (specially in the last book). Also Rhy's and Kell's relationship as brothers is so wholesome, they're so protective of each other😍 The book could have 0 romance, their brotherhood beats all the romantic ships and that's the tea. Thank you for coming to my TED talk

[@hastraub90]

Probably need to edit your comment to add more spaces before the spoiler. Everyone can definitely still see the spoiler.

[@msjuliarcv]

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video! I've never read any fantasy book in my life, and lately I've been researching series so I can take my first step into this world of fantasy lol I'm thinking about starting with A darker shade of magic and Throne of glass, what do you think?

[@mamafocului3274]

Team Layla 4 ever ❤🔥

[@samsamuels8328]

I realy liked your shirt!

[@TheBookLeo]

thank you!

[@lussterpurge]

im waiting for people to start claiming these worlds are real and come up with a whole conspirative theory that i'm willing to believe in

[@braam126]

I think the premis of this book is great, and overall its a really fun series. But as a story its not the best fantasy you will ever read and can be predictable at times. What makes this series great are the characters and the way they developed over the course of the series. You really learn to love them and even if we dont like them they are understandable. Holland is my fave.

[@ad7618]

I read the first book because the synopsis seemed cool but gosh i disliked fl so much, she was such a quirky girl shaming other girls because "i Am NoT LikE OthEr giRLs, ThEy WeAr MakE Up aNd dReSsEs eWw I aM sPeCiAl i WeAr PaNtS". I tried starting the 2nd but her overpowered quirkiness was still there so i was out as i was starting to pinpoint my dislike in the trope even if the feeling was unconciously there lol

[@drumnbasskim]

I'm a year late in saying this but this critical review is just 👌👌👌.

[@MostcallmeTim]

Book 1 I was extremely invested. Book 2 was mid. Book 3 you can skip 90% of it. You could read the beginning and end without missing much.

[@tondotkats]

i actually really like reviews and i think you express yourself and your opinions really well so good job 😊 but seriously, if anyone has any tips for doing reviews then i am all ears

[@TheBookLeo]

ah thank you so much!

[@Bigglesman96]

Reading this series currently, the premise and the world is the only thing keeping me engaged in this book otherwise I would stop reading simply because of how much I hate Lila.😂 not only is she the most unlikable bundle of boring tropes I've ever seen, but she has exactly zero redeemable qualities to make me like her even a little bit. I'm so tired of the, "I'm standoffish and distant because I can't get close to anyone ever again reeee" trope that I could rip my eyes out. She victimizes others and has the audacity to be mad at them when they justifiably retaliate, and then she KILLS them. "she's not like other girls" she's a misogynist and now I'm finding out as I read the second book she's a "chosen one" trope Mary sue 😂😂😂😂 god I hate this character so much god give me strength

[@pauline_f328]

"I know no-one watches reviews" Yes my name is -Ulysses- no-one

[@shirtaelcohen4178]

This series easy to read? I'm from israel and my English getting better each day. but I'm afriad to read in english, i start with the Turn of the screw. that in first i was nervous that, i didn't understand but then its make sense to me. but the book was really short 100 pages and half .. so I'll glad to know if it is. and which books should i read

[@barbara9315]

Try Harry Potter

[@IainDelaney]

Did it bother anyone else that she kept having her characters put their swords and knives in 'holsters' instead of 'scabbards'? It bugged the hell out of me, and kept pulling me out of the story.

[@ammarif618]

This is for me

[@TheGreatDevlin]

I like reviews. But I have to stop the video if I'm interested enough to go read it myself... Which is happening here. 😂

[@crowley7110]

♡♡♡

[@pooyashirazi1991]

this is by far the most disappointing book i have ever read in my life. it had good ideas at first but the execution was full of cliches and the ending was very anti-climactic.

[@thebraxtonater8466]

Haha! I bet ya here! I'm first.

[@vincenteijdenberg2690]

Spoiler spoilers

[@vincenteijdenberg2690]

Did kel losse his magic Ed the end

[@akashdeep7367]

third lol.

[@llywyllngryffyn8053]

DNF this book in Chapter 1. I was knocked out of immersion by such a glaring stupidity that it stunned me, for a minute and totally diverted me from any interest in this story. In chapter one, it is clearly stated that, 'In order to pass between these worlds, you must go through a door made with a symbol drawn in your own blood. The exact same symbol needs be on both sides of this door and both sides are essentially the exact same location in two parallel worlds.' So, in oder to go to World B from World A you have to already have been to world B and set up a door mark. ?!?!? So, HOW did this ever start??? How did anyone ever travel if you need to have been there in order to go there? >FACEPALM< If the author meant to say that the 'Best' way or the Easiest Way or the Preferred way... she didn't So my confidence in this author whom I had no prior experience with drops to Zero. If you are the kind of person who doesn't notice such things or prefers to overlook them, enjoy! I just cant spend my time on such things.