As with my last review, this was a re-read for me as well. Well, most of it was a re-read. I had actually read the first two books of this series, A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows, previously and decided to re-read them before reading the final book, A Conjuring of Light. I really enjoyed these books and what I enjoyed most are the two main characters. The first character we meet is Kell. An Antari (blood magician), Kell is from […]
In which I try to start getting caught up on all my long overdue reviews… yikes…
Soooo yeah. It happened. I started this CBR knowing that I NEEDED to stay on top of the reviews. That lasted until April. <sigh> #thestruggleisreal I really HAVE read many books since then, but the problem was reading on vacation where there was limited internet access and the inability to post anything. Things have derailed since that point. So today, I am attempting to get back on track a bit. Hopefully. SO! My last review was for A Darker Shade of Magic, the first book […]
Monsters and Humans doing Romeo and Juliet right
The ideas of humanizing monsters and monstrous humans seems to be a big theme with Victoria (V.E.) Schwab. This would normally annoy me, except that she does it so well, and with variety each time. This is my third series of hers that I’ve started, and each one is different in terms of world and characters. I’m saving the conclusion of one series, A Conjuring of Light, until the end of the current semester in 3 weeks; if I don’t I’ll be buried by grading […]
The plan is to fan this spark into a flame
I’m so pissed at this book. HOW DARE YOU, BOOK. How DARE you be better than the first novel (A Darker Shade of Magic). How DARE you make me care more about the characters. How DARE you introduce even more characters I have to care about. But most of all HOW DARE YOU END ON A CLIFFHANGER. For serious, you guys, I’m so mad. Mostly because the next book isn’t out and might not even be written yet? So rude. What am I supposed to […]
Look into your eyes and the sky’s the limit
Disclaimer: I have legit read almost nothing but fantasy/magical novels since the beginning of 2016. It’s fun, but all of the magic is sort of running together, so please forgive me if I get anything wrong. I think this ended up on my TBR list because of that Best of 2015 Fantasy list I saw earlier in the year, and I’m so glad it did. Though it was slow to draw me in, I eventually reached a point where I just didn’t want to stop […]
Like a comic… but a novel
The style and subject matter in Vicious inevitably lends itself to comic book comparisons. Dark, beautiful and featuring an alternative reality where extraordinary abilities are real, such comparisons are apt and hopefully the very talented V.E. Schwab sees it that way. In Vicious, Schwab developed the same style and tone that you get from a really good comic still. Beautifully rendered, the text actually feels visual. Schwab pulls the reader directly into the story and it stays with you long after the book is back on the shelf. […]