Ponder: A Gathering of Shadows (2 of 3)

Having recently completed the first book in the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab (post dated 4/28/22) I eagerly checked the next two out of the library. Her second book, A Gathering of Shadows ©2016 kept me engaged as I fervently turned each of its 512 pages. Anyone who enjoyed reading about the Triwizard Tournament in the fourth Harry Potter book, The Goblet of Fire, will enjoy the pageantry and competition among magicians in the Elemental Games, a set of duels calling upon creative use of the fundamental magic elements of water, earth, fire, air, and metal. For example, water can be scattered, frozen, and used as a barrage of ice daggers.

A Gathering of Shadows brings back the favorite characters from the first book: Kell – an Antari (one endowed with powers who uses the magic flowing within his own blood to invoke a spell), Rhy Maresh – the prince, and Lila Bard – a thief. Schwab introduces another strong character, Alucard Emery – a pirate. His swashbuckling adventures on the high seas, which also involve Kell and Lila, add to the charm and energy of this book. From the back cover of A Gathering of Shadows:

Unlike Red London, Grey London has no magic.There is some philosophical discussion in Grey London, comparing magic and god that I found interesting. One must have faith to believe in god because he is intangible. But magic? Magic you can feel and touch. In Red London, a bustling Night Market full of magical wares, creatively adds to the atmosphere of the Element Games. These scenes are on a par with the imagination that must have gone into the bar scene in Star Wars or the Diagon Alley setting of Harry Potter fame. Obviously in 512 pages a lot more happens, but I choose not to retell it here. In short the villains are dastardly villainous, and some of those secondary characters for whom the reader gains an attachment, abruptly and sadly perish.

I surmise that those who liked the first book in the series will not be disappointed in the second. There is lots to discover. Because of its length and because I feel my immense enjoyment was boosted by my familiarity with the first book, I rate A Gathering of Shadows four stars instead of the five I rated the first book. That slight drop in rating will not however, deter me from reading the third book!

★★★★☆ Really good; maybe only one weak aspect or limited audience