4 Reasons to Read the Shades of Magic Trilogy

Posted October 16, 2018 by shooting in Book Review, Discussion / 21 Comments

Shades Of Magic Trilogy

4 Reasons to Read the Shades of Magic Trilogy by V.E. Schwab

All the Magic

One of the main characters, Kell, is an Antari, which means he holds a great deal of power and can travel between the Londons. He’s from Red London but can visit White London and Grey London (and Antaris used to be able to visit Black London). Red London is the only London that really possesses magic, though not everyone can wield it. Those that can usually have an element they can manipulate – water, fire, etc. – though there are some who can use more than just one. And can I just say that I wish Kell’s coat actually existed? It changes into all different types/colors depending on what’s needed.

Bisexual Prince

Kell’s “brother” (they are not biologically related) is Prince Rhy, and he’s bisexual. This might not mean a lot to some, but I always appreciate when books feature LGBT+ characters, especially when they are as prominent as Rhy. I also really like that Rhy is shown to like girls and guys throughout – it didn’t matter who he was with at the time, it didn’t change the fact that he was bisexual. A lot of people have this idea that if you’re in a same-sex relationship, you’re gay, and if you’re not, then you’re straight. Bisexuality doesn’t work that way. Beyond his sexuality, I just really loved the character of Rhy. I felt for him throughout – but he’s also a very strong person who is capable of more than he realizes.

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One Fierce Heroine

Another main character in the Shades of Magic trilogy is Lila, who is from Grey London. She’s not someone to underestimate though. She’s been living as a pickpocket, wanted posters with her face on them strewn throughout the city. Of course, people tend to believe she’s a guy, which is what she wants, as it allows her to more easily get around. Lila is full of surprises throughout the entire series and she never once backs down from a challenge. She’s a character of many layers, as well, and I really appreciated getting to know her more as time went on. Granted, she didn’t always do things I agreed with, but I liked that she stayed true to herself at the same time.

Nothing is Black or White

I love books where the heroes aren’t all good and the villains aren’t all bad. This is definitely the case in the Shades of Magic series. Kell and Lila might be the “good guys” in the story, but they still hurt and kill people in order to save their Londons. At the same time, Holland is an Antari from White London and it’s easy to view him as a villain throughout but there are many different sides to him. I really loved getting to know more of Holland’s backstory in the final book, A Conjuring of Light. I think it was important to see his point of view and how he became the man he is when this trilogy occurs.

Interested in the Shades of Magic trilogy? Find out more about the books on Goodreads!

21 responses to “4 Reasons to Read the Shades of Magic Trilogy

  1. candy

    Going to show this to my daughter. She loves to read as much as I do and we like to read stuff like this together and discuss it.

  2. I haven’t read this series yet but it’s on my list and I’d like to! I didn’t know too much about it but your four reasons have me even more excited to read these books! Great idea for a post; thanks for the information!

  3. I have been tempted by this series, but now your check list convinced me. I am headed over to the library website to place a reserve. Thanks, Lauren.

  4. I like the way you broke this down into four good reasons to read, it’s a fun way to do a review! And I think it’s neat that the heroes aren’t all good and the villains aren’t all bad, I find characters like that more interesting sometimes too!

  5. It’s so refreshing to see more male bisexual characters in fiction, the only other character I’ve come across so far is Levi is Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t started the series yet but I did buy the beautiful collectors edition of book one a few months ago that’s signed. I plan on starting the series in the new year. It sounds so amazing Lauren, brilliant series review. Really enjoyed it ♡♡♡

    Kelly recently posted: We Three Heroes

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