In Victoria Schwab’s captivating fantasy novel “A Darker Shade of Magic,” readers are transported not just to London, but to four distinct versions of the city existing in parallel worlds. This first installment in the Shades of Magic trilogy introduces us to a richly imagined universe where magic flows in varying degrees through different realities, and where the boundaries between these worlds can be traversed by only a select few. Published in 2015, this novel marked Schwab’s confident stride into adult fantasy after her success with young adult fiction.
A Tale of Four Londons
The world-building in “A Darker Shade of Magic” is nothing short of extraordinary. Schwab creates a compelling multiverse where four Londons exist simultaneously, each with its own relationship to magic:
Red London: Vibrant and prosperous, where magic thrives in harmony with humanity
Grey London: Our own mundane, magic-starved London during the reign of George III
White London: A brutal, harsh place where people fight to control what little magic remains
Black London: A fallen city consumed by magic, now sealed off from the other worlds
The author’s vision of these parallel cities is both intricate and immersive. Each London has its distinct atmosphere, politics, language, and relationship with magic, making them feel like genuinely different worlds rather than mere variations on a theme. What’s particularly impressive is how Schwab makes each London feel authentic without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail or exposition.
Compelling Characters in a Complex Universe
At the heart of this fantastical setting are characters whose personal journeys drive the narrative forward:
Kell: The Reluctant Smuggler
Kell is one of the last Antari, rare blood magicians with the ability to travel between worlds. Officially, he serves as a royal messenger between the different Londons. Unofficially, he smuggles trinkets between worlds for those willing to pay—a dangerous hobby that eventually leads him into trouble. Kell’s internal conflict between his loyalty to the royal family who raised him and his desire for independence gives his character depth beyond his magical abilities.
What makes Kell interesting is his complexity—he wields tremendous power but remains vulnerable; he serves the crown yet harbors a rebellious streak; he appears confident yet questions his place in the world. His relationship with Prince Rhy forms one of the story’s most endearing bonds, demonstrating Schwab’s skill at crafting meaningful character relationships.
Lila Bard: The Aspiring Pirate
Delilah Bard is undoubtedly one of the novel’s greatest strengths. A cross-dressing thief from Grey London with dreams of becoming a pirate, Lila is fiercely independent, morally ambiguous, and utterly unforgettable. Her chance encounter with Kell sets her on an adventure across multiple worlds.
Lila’s sharp wit, survival instincts, and unwavering determination make her a formidable presence on the page. Her famous line—“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still”—perfectly encapsulates her character. In many ways, she’s the novel’s true protagonist, entering a world of magic with nothing but her wits and willpower.
The Villainous Danes
The antagonists of the story, the cruel twins Athos and Astrid Dane who rule White London, are genuinely menacing. Their sadistic tendencies and hunger for power make them compelling villains, and their treatment of Holland, another Antari bound to their service, reveals the depths of their cruelty.
Magic as a Living Force
One of the most distinctive aspects of Schwab’s fantasy is her conception of magic as a living entity rather than merely a tool. Magic in this universe has its own will and desires; it can be commanded but not truly controlled. This approach gives the magical elements a dynamic quality often lacking in fantasy novels where magic serves as simply another weapon or skill.
The magical system is both elegant and coherent, with Schwab establishing clear rules that feel natural rather than arbitrary. The Antari blood magic, elemental magic, and the corrupting influence of the Black London stone all function within a consistent framework, creating tension from how characters work within these constraints rather than from random magical solutions.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Brilliantly
Schwab’s prose strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and beauty. Her writing is clear and direct when advancing the plot, yet capable of lyrical moments when describing the sensory experience of magic or the essence of the different Londons. This versatility keeps the novel engaging throughout its varied scenes.
The pacing is another highlight. The story moves briskly, with well-timed action sequences interspersed with character development and world-building. The structure of following Kell and Lila through increasingly dangerous circumstances creates a mounting tension that culminates in a satisfying climax.
The novel also excels at creating distinctive environments. Through careful attention to sensory details—the smell of flowers in Red London, the metallic tang of magic in White London, the smoky air of Grey London—Schwab makes each setting viscerally real.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its many strengths, “A Darker Shade of Magic” isn’t without flaws:
Limited Scope: While the world-building is exquisite, we see relatively little of each London beyond what’s necessary for the plot. This sometimes makes the settings feel more like backdrops than fully realized societies.
Predictable Plot Developments: Some of the major plot twists, particularly regarding the Black London stone, follow relatively standard fantasy trajectories that seasoned genre readers might anticipate.
Underdeveloped Secondary Characters: Characters beyond Kell and Lila, even important ones like Prince Rhy and Holland, receive less development than they deserve, though this is somewhat addressed in later installments.
Convenient Solutions: Occasionally, problems are resolved through convenient timing or abilities that weren’t fully established earlier, slightly undermining the tension in certain moments.
A Promising Start to the Trilogy
“A Darker Shade of Magic” sets a strong foundation for the subsequent novels in the trilogy: “A Gathering of Shadows” (2016) and “A Conjuring of Light” (2017). The first book establishes the multiverse and core characters while telling a complete story, yet clearly leaves room for the world and its inhabitants to grow.
The second installment, “A Gathering of Shadows,” expands the scope significantly by introducing a magical tournament that brings together competitors from various worlds, while deepening the character relationships established in the first book. The final volume, “A Conjuring of Light,” delivers an epic conclusion that brings together all the threads woven throughout the trilogy.
Readers who enjoy “A Darker Shade of Magic” will find that the subsequent books build on its strengths while addressing some of its weaknesses, particularly in terms of character development and world exploration.
Schwab’s Evolution as a Storyteller
This novel represents a significant step in Victoria Schwab’s evolution as a writer. While her earlier YA works like “The Near Witch” and “The Archived” series showed promise, “A Darker Shade of Magic” demonstrates a new level of ambition and confidence. The novel shares thematic elements with her adult debut “Vicious” and “Vengeful“—particularly in its exploration of power and its consequences—but applies them to a more expansive canvas.
Readers who enjoy Schwab’s blend of accessible prose, morally complex characters, and inventive magic might also appreciate works like:
Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” duology
N.K. Jemisin’s “The Fifth Season”
Neil Gaiman’s “Neverwhere”
Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus”
Final Assessment: A Modern Fantasy Classic
“A Darker Shade of Magic” succeeds not by reinventing the fantasy genre but by executing familiar elements with exceptional skill and adding enough original touches to feel fresh. Schwab’s parallel Londons concept is brilliantly realized, her characters compelling despite (or perhaps because of) their flaws, and her magic system both coherent and mysterious.
While the novel occasionally leans on fantasy conventions and leaves some aspects of its world underexplored, these minor issues don’t significantly detract from the reading experience. The book strikes an excellent balance between resolving its primary conflict and setting the stage for further adventures.
For readers seeking fantasy that combines inventive world-building with character-driven storytelling, “A Darker Shade of Magic” offers a portal to not just one, but four unforgettable worlds. It’s a testament to Schwab’s skill that even as the novel concludes, you’ll find yourself eager to follow Kell and Lila into their next adventure—perhaps while muttering “As Travars” and hoping a door between worlds might just open for you too.