July 2015 #K8Approved Books & Reviews

As I settle into the new apartment all of my books are finally getting out of storage and onto my nice new shelves. So what better way to celebrate this glorious transition than with one of the most glorious books I have read? Read on for this special edition of the #K8Approved Books & Reviews!

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Published: February 24, 2015
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon

Summary (Goodreads):
Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her ‘proper adventure’.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

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A Darker Shade of Magic is a masterpiece. VE Schwab is clearly a god with her words. In 2013, I read her book Vicious and discovered my favorite book of all time. Yes, ALL time. Not just of the week or year, ALL time. While I was reading A Darker Shade of Magic I wondered if this book would replace Vicious in my heart, and while it didn’t, it certainly got close. Close enough that I now have two favorite books of all time and a favorite author.

While Vicious wooed me with the beautiful words and the twisted world of right and wrong,  A Darker Shade of Magic was everything I wanted in a book about magic. Two beautiful princes, a magical sexy coat, pirates, magic, blood, chaos, beauty, power. Oh, and a The Princess Bride reference. With all the stress of my move, A Darker Shade of Magic was the perfect escape.

While I enjoy reading other books in other genres, this was a book that felt like it was written FOR me. I laughed and I thought the author was trying to kill me by breaking my heart in that cruel way only authors know how. So if you have always dreamed of a world of magic, this is the world you need to go to now. Seriously, stop reading this review and go read it now. Go!

Giveaway!