Book Review: A Gathering of Shadows

Hey, welcome back to my shelf!

I have no idea what I'm going to do when this series wraps up next week... 

I wasn't sure where V.E. Schwab was going to take this book and, as much as I love her, I can't help but dread the middle book in any trilogy. It's usually lame, involving little action and often serving only to build the third book. But V didn't disappoint! There is a beautiful blend of action and magic, wittiness and politics. I never felt like the story was dragging. I did find, like the cover quotes, that it was addictive. I tried to stretch this out, to savor it, but spent many nights reading past my bedtime.

1 star - I love the complexity of the relationships in this book. There is a great moment when Rhy talks to Lila about the way Kell loves people, the few that he does, and he says something along the lines of 'just because he doesn't shower you with sweetness doesn't mean he doesn't love you.' (If I had my copy handy I'd quote the exact thing.) But it highlights that, in all kinds of love, it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Humans have emotions and sometimes we argue, sometimes we try to overprotect someone or shelter them, and maybe we have to refind common ground. The relationships in this book are so realistic, so relatable. V's characters are something I always appreciate and look forward to when reading her books. 


2 stars - I love the building mysteries. I'm assuming you've read the first book if you're reading this? Okay, good. So in the first book, Master Tieren hinted that Lila might be an impossible thing- an antari. In this book, we are still questioning this idea. We also see Ned again ( <3 ) and he too is playing with the idea that Grey Londoners might be able to wield magic. On top of all that, we meet someone who shouldn't be around. We meet a new Captain who (he and his cat) are questionable. And the end is kiiind of a cliffhanger (sorry V, but it is!)

3 stars - Allucard is a new favourite character of mine and he deserves his own star. I very much hope for his continued involvement in book 3, and perhaps his POV in the book. (This is a series where it's really hard to pick a favourite character and there's also no clear Book BF.)

4 stars - For creating such beautifully deep characters. Not only do we build on Lila's issues of the past, but also we see Rhy and Kell are developing in different ways than they were before. On top of all of this, we discover an old lover of Rhy and that creates drama between the boys. (Can I just say I love how fluid the sexuality of some of these characters are? And it's written wonderfully normal too! Man, I love Rhy and the arc of his character.)

5 stars - Between the creative wit, the beautifully written realms, and the ease of action, I loved where this book went- both over seas and abroad. 

Is it February 21st yet?

Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!