We think of authors as solitary creatures hunched over work in cramped but empty rooms, and while it’s true that writing is a pursuit most often done alone, a book is the result not of one mind, or pair of hands, but of many.

Acknowledgements

I’ve had a look to see who else in the literary world has read this book and whether they liked it or not and ran across https://literaryleisha.wordpress.com/2021/03/07/book-review-a-darker-shade-of-magic-by-v-e-schwab/ who seemed fascinated with the world of smugglers as I did.

The Plot

As a young Antari magician, Kell is one of the last magicians with the rare ability to travel between the four parallel Londons, which he calls Red, Grey, White, and Black.

Kell officially serves the royal family of Red London, The Maresh Empire, as an ambassador, traveling between worlds to deliver messages, letters of importance and other such news. However, Kell has a secret life as a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of magic. It’s a risky pastime with dangerous consequences.

After a smuggling job goes wrong, Kell escapes to Grey London where he finds Delilah Bard, a young thief looking for a taste of adventure and a chance at something more. Delilah first saves Kell, then captures him and talks him into going with him. In a world with magic, it’s of course unavoidable that things go horribly wrong along the way.

“Lovers like men with scars,” said Kell, cracking a smile. “Or so I’ve heard.”

It’s a good book for YA reads. It’s got adventure, it’s got tons of fun and the world building is intense. Unfortunately, for me, this book was a bore. I really struggled to finish it but maybe in the future I’ll give it another go and see how it goes