Victoria (V.E.) Schwab’s A Gathering of Shadows, the second installment in the Shades of Magic trilogy, is a darkly whimsical, fiercely plotted continuation of the multi-dimensional fantasy saga introduced in A Darker Shade of Magic (2015), and preludes the crescendo of A Conjuring of Light (2017). With her signature lyrical prose and cinematic flair, Schwab deepens the emotional stakes and complexities of her world while delivering a book that’s equal parts character study and action-packed spectacle.
Blending fantasy, historical fiction, and elements of swashbuckling adventure, Schwab sets the stage for a magical tournament that dazzles with pageantry and peril, all while shadows stir ominously beyond the borders of Red London.
Overview: A Brewing Storm Beneath the Surface
Set four months after the climactic events of A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows follows the emotional and physical fallout left in the wake of the destruction of the Obsidian Stone and the banishment of Black London’s magic. Kell, the brooding Antari magician, is tormented by guilt and increasingly bound by his brotherly link to Prince Rhy. Delilah Bard, ever unpredictable and fiercely independent, is sailing the Arnesian seas in search of adventure—and mastery over magic.
While Red London prepares for the dazzling Element Games, a tri-national magical tournament filled with ego and political intrigue, darker forces are reawakening in the shadows. And what begins as a tale of spectacle and competition gradually unfurls into something far more sinister.
Plot Analysis: A Slow Burn with Explosive Payoff
If A Darker Shade of Magic was a swift plunge into Schwab’s multidimensional universe, A Gathering of Shadows is a more measured swim in deeper waters. The novel’s pace slows in the first half, dwelling on character arcs and emotional tension, but this is not to its detriment.
The plot is cleverly structured around three narrative threads:
Lila Bard’s Pirate Adventures – Now aboard the Night Spire under the charismatic Captain Alucard Emery, Lila’s growth as both a magician and a force of chaos is riveting. Schwab grants her room to breathe, stumble, and rise again, all while laying breadcrumbs toward her mysterious origins.
Kell and Rhy’s Fractured Bond – Back in Red London, Kell’s simmering inner conflict and his magically bound connection to Rhy offer a compelling look into sacrifice, identity, and restraint. Rhy, no longer the carefree prince, is haunted by both literal and figurative scars. Their tension forms the emotional bedrock of the novel.
The Essen Tasch (Element Games) – A magical tournament could easily fall into trope territory, but Schwab avoids clichés by using the event as a political backdrop and a personal crucible. The Games build tension with a slow burn and function as both spectacle and smokescreen for darker happenings.
While the final act bursts open with urgent stakes and returning threats (yes, the shadow of Black London still looms), the real momentum of this novel lies in its characters and emotional undercurrents. This is a middle book that leans into complexity rather than action—at least until its breathtaking conclusion.
Character Deep Dive: Growth Wrought in Fire and Blood
Kell Maresh: The Fractured Antari
Haunted by guilt, shackled by his bond with Rhy, and suffocated by royal suspicion, Kell is a deeply wounded protagonist. Schwab masterfully shows his restraint, his anguish, and his occasional recklessness. His internal tug-of-war between duty and desire is rendered in sharp, empathetic prose. In many ways, Kell is the still center of a chaotic storm.
Delilah Bard: Chaos in Human Form
Lila Bard is undoubtedly one of Schwab’s most iconic creations. She is sharp-tongued, fearless to a fault, and as slippery as a shadow. In A Gathering of Shadows, she continues her transformation—not into a sidekick or love interest, but into a powerful contender in her own right. Her journey to mastering magic is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.
Her relationship with Kell remains a tantalizing will-they-won’t-they, built not on cliché but on conflict and admiration. Schwab resists the urge to push them into a tidy romance, instead allowing their chemistry to simmer beneath layers of tension.
Alucard Emery: The Scene-Stealer
Introducing Alucard Emery—a pirate, a nobleman, a rogue magician, and one of the most delightful additions to the trilogy. Witty, charismatic, and secretly sentimental, Alucard brings levity and unpredictability to the otherwise tension-heavy plot. His relationship with Rhy is hinted at but left to blossom later, and his mentorship of Lila is filled with nuance.
Themes: Identity, Autonomy, and the Burden of Power
Schwab is as much philosopher as she is fantasy architect. Her thematic explorations elevate the series beyond a tale of magical intrigue.
Identity and Duality – Characters grapple with the question of who they are when stripped of power, purpose, or protection. Lila’s gender-fluid bravado and Kell’s internal fractures mirror one another in unexpected ways.
Power and Restraint – The novel probes the cost of magic and the danger of imbalance. Magic without control is portrayed as a consuming force, one that devours its wielder unless anchored by identity and clarity.
Freedom and Belonging – Lila’s arc in particular examines what it means to belong—to a place, a crew, a person. Her longing for freedom is contrasted with the pull of companionship.
Writing Style: Lush, Lean, and Sharp as Steel
Schwab’s writing in A Gathering of Shadows is a masterclass in tone control. She blends the rich atmosphere of historical fantasy with the urgency of modern storytelling. Her language is elegant but not verbose, poetic but not indulgent. The prose mirrors the world: layered, unpredictable, and imbued with hidden danger.
Critique: The Middle Book Syndrome (Almost)
Despite its numerous strengths, A Gathering of Shadows does occasionally suffer from pacing issues typical of a middle installment. The Essen Tasch, while entertaining, dominates the middle section and creates a delay in the return of high-stakes conflict. Readers craving the intense, interdimensional battles of Book One may find the early chapters slow.
Additionally, while Schwab masterfully juggles multiple characters, Holland’s reintroduction and the subtle reawakening of Black London come a touch too late in the narrative. One could argue that the true antagonist of this book doesn’t fully materialize until the final act, leaving the threat more implied than immediate for most of the novel.
Still, these minor grievances are outweighed by the payoff in character development and the stunning final twist.
Similar Titles and Series You Might Enjoy
If you loved A Gathering of Shadows, consider exploring:
The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon – For lovers of magic-wielding outcasts and richly imagined cities.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – For those drawn to political intrigue and unforgettable character arcs.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – Another beautifully written, immersive fantasy with a focus on stories and secrets.
Final Thoughts: A Shadow Gathers, and It’s Magnificent
A Gathering of Shadows is a triumph of character-driven fantasy. Victoria Schwab understands her world and her characters with rare intimacy, and she invites readers to care not just about the fate of kingdoms but about the hearts of thieves and magicians. This second book may be slower and more introspective than its predecessor, but it enriches the Shades of Magic universe with elegant depth and rising tension.
As the closing pages arrive with a gasp-worthy cliffhanger and darkness seeps back into the story, it becomes clear that Schwab has only just begun to show us what lies beneath the surface.
Recommended for fantasy readers who value richly drawn characters, clever magic systems, and storytelling that dares to slow down and breathe before it cuts deep.
About the Author: V.E. Schwab
Victoria “V.E.” Schwab is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including Vicious, This Savage Song, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Known for her intricate plotting and emotionally resonant characters, Schwab has earned a reputation as one of fantasy’s most distinctive voices. Her writing is both escapist and introspective—a blend few authors achieve with such consistency.
Shades of Magic Series Overview
A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) – Introduces the four Londons, Antari magic, and our central characters.
A Gathering of Shadows (2016) – Explores political games, character evolution, and the rising darkness.
A Conjuring of Light (2017) – The epic conclusion that promises magic, death, and decisions that will define entire worlds.
This is a series worth reading in full—one where every book strengthens the next. Let the shadows gather—because the real storm is coming.