Victoria Schwab’s A Conjuring of Light is the blazing and emotionally wrought finale to her Shades of Magic trilogy, following A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) and A Gathering of Shadows (2016). With a tapestry rich in magic, multilayered character arcs, and geopolitical upheaval among parallel Londons, this conclusion both dazzles and dares — yet it doesn’t emerge entirely unscathed from its own ambition.
Schwab, with her signature lyrical prose and cinematic flair, builds a final act that is equal parts emotionally explosive and narratively sprawling. While it may not conjure perfection, it undeniably casts a lasting spell.
Series Context: The Shades of Magic Trilogy
Before diving into the final book, let’s anchor ourselves:
A Darker Shade of Magic introduces the world of four Londons — Red (magical and thriving), Grey (our mundane world), White (violent and power-hungry), and Black (destroyed by magic). Antari magicians like Kell can travel between them.
A Gathering of Shadows expands the world with the Essen Tasch (magical tournament), more time with Lila Bard’s daring transformation, and the slow-simmering threat of Osaron, a dark magical entity.
A Conjuring of Light picks up immediately after, launching us into chaos as Osaron unleashes darkness on Red London.
Schwab skillfully escalates the stakes from personal struggles to the fate of entire worlds.
Plot Summary: War of Magic, Will, and Worlds
A Conjuring of Light opens at a breakneck pace, right where book two leaves off: Prince Rhy dying, Kell imprisoned, and Osaron, the shadow king, seeking to consume Red London. What unfolds is a war — not only of steel and sorcery but of identity, legacy, and loyalty.
Kell, ever the tormented and noble Antari, must rally Red London while battling the guilt of past choices. Lila Bard, thief-turned-magician, continues her audacious journey, now with terrifying power and emotional vulnerability. Meanwhile, Holland — long cast as a villain — emerges as the most compelling character in this final act, haunted by sacrifice and tragedy, his body hijacked by Osaron’s will.
Together with a reluctant royal court, a magic-savvy pirate prince, and a capital on the brink of collapse, our heroes must uncover ancient magical relics and test the very limits of human and magical resilience.
What makes Schwab’s plot structure effective—though occasionally overlong—is how it weaves multiple POVs with rich emotional stakes, even as the central conflict boils down to a classic battle: light versus dark.
Character Analysis: More Than Just Heroes
Kell Maresh
Kell remains the heart of the trilogy. In A Conjuring of Light, his growth is less about discovering power and more about claiming agency. He’s torn between his love for Rhy and Red London, his responsibility as an Antari, and his unspoken bond with Lila. His struggle is deeply human: he longs to belong.
Delilah Bard
Lila continues to be a force of nature. Schwab leans into her restlessness and recklessness, but what’s refreshing here is how Lila finally reckons with her own vulnerability. Her magical power is burgeoning, and the more she masters it, the more she must choose who she wants to be—pirate, magician, or something else entirely.
Rhy Maresh
Rhy undergoes one of the most profound arcs. From princely charm to the sobering weight of near-death, his resurrection by Kell’s magic in earlier books now manifests in grim consequence. He’s no longer just Kell’s brother—he’s a ruler tested by real pain.
Holland Vosijk
Undoubtedly, Holland is the soul of this book. Schwab redeems him with painful honesty—not by justifying his past but by giving him a chance to reclaim his agency. His tragic backstory, his love for a doomed London, and his inner war with Osaron are exquisitely told.
Alucard Emery
Alucard, the roguish captain and Rhy’s former lover, is no mere comic relief. He carries emotional gravitas, especially in scenes with Rhy. Their relationship is heartfelt and layered, one of the series’ emotional backbones.
Writing Style: Lyrical, Lush, and Occasionally Overwritten
Victoria Schwab’s writing style is poetic, deliberate, and immersive. Sentences often bloom with metaphor and repetition.
There’s an unmistakable rhythm to her prose—sometimes staccato, sometimes elegiac. This lends a timeless, fable-like quality to the story. However, in the climactic third act, the pacing begins to sag under the weight of its own gravitas. The book stretches long (at nearly 650 pages), and some scenes—particularly repetitive inner monologues or prolonged action sequences—could have been trimmed.
Still, Schwab’s atmospheric command is undeniable. She doesn’t just write a word—she etches it into your bones.
Themes: Power, Sacrifice, and the Cost of Survival
Power without Control Is Corruption: Osaron represents unchecked power—magic without soul. Schwab critiques ambition devoid of responsibility, echoing Holland’s own tragic pursuit of salvation for White London.
Found Family and Chosen Bonds: One of the trilogy’s enduring strengths is the emphasis on chosen bonds over blood. Kell and Rhy, Lila and Kell, Alucard and Rhy—these relationships elevate the narrative from plot-driven to emotionally resonant.
Redemption and Identity: Holland’s arc is a masterclass in redemption without erasure. Schwab doesn’t excuse him, but she allows space for healing.
The Many Faces of Courage: Heroism in A Conjuring of Light isn’t loud. It’s found in a prince facing death with dignity, in a thief learning restraint, and in an Antari choosing mercy over power.
The Highs and the Lows
Strengths
Rich world-building of multiple Londons
Strong, diverse characters with deep development
Gorgeous prose and imagery
Emotionally resonant stakes and character relationships
Complex and satisfying villain (Osaron and the human cost of power)
Critiques
Lengthy exposition and pacing dips, especially in the middle
Final battles occasionally meander or feel repetitive
Some secondary characters are underused in the final conflict
Emotional payoffs sometimes overextend their welcome
Comparable Titles & Author’s Other Works
If you enjoyed Shades of Magic, you may also like:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (romantic and mythic in tone)
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Schwab’s versatility across genres—from YA (This Savage Song) to adult fantasy—demonstrates her prowess in crafting morally complex characters and immersive, magical worlds.
Wrapping It Up: A Bittersweet Farewell
A Conjuring of Light closes the Shades of Magic trilogy with both fire and finesse. It is not without flaws—the pacing stumbles, and its scope can overwhelm—but the characters shine, and the emotional payoff resonates. Schwab succeeds in what few trilogies achieve: giving every character a satisfying arc, ending with just enough hope and loss to linger in the reader’s heart.
It’s not just a story about magic. It’s about the people who wield it, the choices that define them, and the world they hope to shape—even if it’s at the cost of themselves.
This finale may not be perfect, but it’s unforgettable.