Started: 12/12/16
Finished: 24/12/16
Spoilers: No.
This is a book I wanted so badly to like. It sounded like everything I could want from a single book, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was so much more. What a fantastic start to what I hope will be a fantastic series. This was one of those occasions where I loved the book so much I bought the sequel when I was only half way through. I read it so quickly and had to convince myself to put it down each night . . at 2am. (party pooper)
Setting Possibly one of the most fascinating settings I've ever read. Set in the early 19th century and jumping between parallel versions of London. Red London, which is beautiful and where magic thrives in perfect balance with power. Grey London, which once had magic but no longer does and it's become something of a myth. White London, where the city is starved of magic, greedy and power-hungry but seriously lacking in the magic it needs to survive. And then there's Black London, a land of evil and corruption that was decimated and sealed off from the other Londons. It doesn't exist anymore . . or at least, it shouldn't.
What I loved about the various worlds in which this is set, every one of them felt alive. There was a definite sense of life thriving around the charcters not because of them, but despite them. These worlds were real in every sense of the word. Historically and culturally, they were all different, but each developed just enough to create a sense of reality whilst simultaneously leaveing plenty for the imagination.
The world's V.E. Schwab has created is so vast and so rich, there's no limit as to where it could take us in the future.
Characters Now here is a set of strong characters, each one has a personality and a purpose and not one character feels pointless and out of place.
Kell, who's from Red London is an Antari - a magician, born with magic in his blood (literally, he uses his blood to create doors between worlds - it's great). He's a well-written character with as many sides to him as his amazing coat. He's an endearing cheeky little chappy with a rebellious streak, but he's powerful and he loves his city and his family and he'll do whatever he needs to save them despite how much it terrifies him, which makes him pretty damn heroic, if you ask me.
Lila is a pickpocket born and raised in Grey London. She's a thief by trade but she dreams of adventure and putting the city behind her. She's strong, badass, feisty as hell, but she's human, and it shows. She not invincible like so many 'cookie-cutter' heroines in fantasy. There's a sensitive side to her too, despite how she tries to hide it from Kell, and every so often we see her mask (pun!) slip.
These are two genuinely likeable characters doing things for genuinely believable reasons. And best of all, I genuinely care about them.
Even the support characters are great. Rhy, Barron, Holland (what a great and well-developed villain. Damn, I love me a good villain) Everyone just felt important rather than there for the sake of being there.
Plot
Kell's the royal ambassador of Red London and pretty content with his life, but can't help but rebel from time to time, smuggling forbidden items from Red London into Grey London (for a price).
This backfires on him, however, when, during a visit to White London, he is asked to smuggle something into Red London, something powerful that shouldn't exist and could potentially upset the balance of all the Londons and render them magically unstable. He needs to return it to its rightful home where it can do no harm; enter Delilah Bard. Their paths cross when she picks Kell's pocket and steals said forbidden object. When they discover that a lot of bad people are after what they have, they form a fast friendship to see that the object doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
This storyline is so exciting, so engaging, and (yes, I'm going to say it) magical. And it couldn't involve two more loveable characters than Kell and Lila. It's a wild adventure from start to finish. It doesn't slow down for a second, just crazy excitement and constant thrill.
Writing Style
I've been reading a lot of YA fantasy lately but this is actually classed as an adult fantasy. At first I thought it should be YA because of the two young characters leading the story, but I quickly realised why it's an adult fantasy. It just reads like an adult fantasy. It doesn't hold back. There is a definite and distinct difference to the language and way this book is written compared to normal YA fantasy. It reads in a more mature manner to me and, in turn, it sort of made me feel more mature as a reader.
Take note, YA fantasy writers: Don't dumb down your work, and don't be afraid to use 'big words'. Now I may not have the biggest IQ in the world, but I feel I have a pretty broad vocabulary. I like the big words, really. Don't idiot-proof your books, you're readers are smarter than you think.
Final Impression
Okay now I've said all the important stuff, I can finally fan-girl over this incredible book.
OMG OMG OMG, I love this sooo much! LOL, but seriously, I'm a big fan of this book and I'm dying to have the sequel in my hands. And the best part of all, I'm late to the party, so the third book is out in only two months. *fist pumps the air*
One of the greatest reader feels: Finding a brilliant book and discovering it's a series. A very easy five stars. On to the sequel I go. *Jumps through door into Red London*
Comments