Publishers Weekly
07/10/2023
Bestseller Schwab revisits the world of the Shades of Magic series—where multiple alternate Londons feud with one another—in the action-packed start to a new spin-off series. The lives of Kell Maresh, Delilah Bard, Alucard Emery, and King Rhy Maresh have changed much in the seven years since A Conjuring of Light concluded. When Rhy’s life is threatened, it will take the abilities of all to find his would-be assassins. Meanwhile, Schwab introduces Tesali “Tes” Ranek, whose talent for fixing things comes from her rare ability to see threads of magic and manipulate them to her will. Tes uses this skill to earn a living but keeps her powers a secret by inventing a powerful man to whom she claims to be merely an apprentice. When she’s presented with a piece of technology that could turn the tide of power in Red London, her world begins to waver—as do the walls keeping Grey London, White London, and Black London at bay. Schwab cleverly builds on her existing worlds, introducing new threats and expanding the magic system. The new characters captivate and the plot twists shock. While readers visiting the Shades of Magic universe for the first time may miss some nuance, fans will devour this exciting return. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Schwab's visceral, engrossing writing style delivers an unputdownable yarn once again."—EW.com
“A delightfully nostalgic addition to the world V.E. Schwab has created that still keeps things fresh with the introduction of new characters and the promise of more story to come.”—Polygon
“Wake up bestie, the first installment of a new fantasy series set in the world of V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic, is about to drop—and it’s one that longtime readers and new fans can both dive right into.” —Paste Magazine
“Returning to the world of her fantastic A Darker Shade of Magic and its sequels, Schwab gives readers more of everything they love about that series: dynamic, unconventional characters; suspenseful plots; rich worldbuilding; and compelling relationships…Schwab’s pacing is confident, assured, and the book weaves a masterful spell on the reader. A delicious treat for fans of the Shades of Magic series and a lush, suspenseful fantasy in its own right.” —Kirkus, starred review
“[Schwab] writes with a sense of authority and mischief...The Fragile Threads of Power will entrance and delight fantasy readers everywhere.” —Booklist
“Schwab cleverly builds on her existing worlds, introducing new threats and expanding the magic system. The new characters captivate and the plot twists shock.” —Publishers Weekly
“Schwab at her best. Be ready to fall in love all over again.”—Reactor.com
Praise for the Shades of Magic series
“Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure.” —Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author, on A Darker Shade of Magic
"Feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." —io9 on A Darker Shade of Magic
“Compulsively readable...her characters make the book.” —NPR on A Darker Shade of Magic
"This is how fantasy should be done.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on A Gathering of Shadows
Praise for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
“Schwab’s page-turner is an achingly poignant romantic fantasy about the desperate desire to make one’s mark on the world.” —Oprah.com, Best LGBT Books of 2020
“One of the most propulsive, compulsive and captivating novels in recent memory.” —Washington Post
OCTOBER 2023 - AudioFile
Marisa Calin, Michael Kramer, and Kate Reading narrate a fantasy set in the Shades of Magic world. Seven years have passed since the battle that almost destroyed everything, and a new conflict has arisen that once again spans all four Londons: Red, Grey, White, and Black. Each narrator focuses on one primary plot thread: Calin on Tess, a young woman with an unusual and extraordinary magical gift; Kramer on the Maresh royal court and their friends and foes; and Reading on Kosika, the mysterious new ruler of White London. As the threads converge, all three narrators strive to remain as consistent as possible to each other's stylistic choices, creating a nearly flawless whole. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-06-21
The opener for a new series set in Red, White, Grey, and Black London.
It’s been seven years since Kell, Lila, and Holland defeated the evil force known as Osaron. Lila has spent those seven years as captain of a ship, exploring her new magical world and occasionally spying for the Crown. Kell has spent them learning to fight with ordinary weapons now that wielding his magic causes him intense pain. Holland, of course, gave his life to defeat Osaron. But now a shadowy organization called the Hand is plotting against Kell’s brother, King Rhy, and they’ve set their sights on a powerful magical object. Lila, Kell, Rhy, and Rhy’s husband, Alucard, will all be drawn into new danger in their efforts to uncover the plot and protect their family. Meanwhile, a young girl named Tes with the rare ability to see and manipulate the threads of magic is hiding out in Red London, fixing magical objects—and Kosika, the young queen of White London, will do whatever it takes to restore her world’s magic. Returning to the world of her fantastic A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) and its sequels, Schwab gives readers more of everything they love about that series: dynamic, unconventional characters; suspenseful plots; rich worldbuilding; and compelling relationships. New characters Tes and Kosika more than hold their own against returning fan favorites. Schwab’s pacing is confident, assured, and the book weaves a masterful spell on the reader.
A delicious treat for fans of the Shades of Magic series and a lush, suspenseful fantasy in its own right.
