V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series has captivated readers with its unique premise: four parallel Londons—Red, White, Grey, and the long-lost Black London—each pulsing with different levels of magic and danger. From the introductory sparks of A Darker Shade of Magic (2015), through the tempest of A Gathering of Shadows (2016), we arrive at the thunderous crescendo: A Conjuring of Light (2017). This final installment delivers on the promise of its predecessors, but not without a few missteps.
As always, Schwab’s prose glimmers with lyrical flair, painting a vivid world teeming with magic, ambition, and heart. Yet this time, she stretches her wings even wider, pushing characters to their emotional and physical limits as the series reaches a climactic finale.
The Stakes Are Higher, the Shadows Deeper
Osaron, an ancient entity of pure magic, has escaped containment and set his sights on conquering Red London. The once-vibrant Maresh Empire teeters on the edge of collapse as magic, once a force of wonder, becomes a weapon of domination.
The book wastes no time: Kell is captured, Rhy lies dying, and Lila is thrust into another world. The pace is electric, rarely letting the reader breathe. Yet in this breathlessness, Schwab grounds the narrative in character—an impressive feat that gives the story its weight.
Character Depth and Evolution: The Beating Heart of the Book
Kell Maresh
Haunted, duty-bound, and increasingly vulnerable, Kell remains a compelling figure. His internal battle—between responsibility and self-preservation—deepens in this installment. Stripped of his freedom and then his powers, Kell’s journey is as much about self-forgiveness as it is heroism.
Delilah Bard
Lila, the dagger-tongued thief-turned-magician, becomes both a force of destruction and rebirth. She is impulsive, daring, and surprisingly tender in moments of vulnerability. Schwab masterfully explores Lila’s fear of attachment and her resistance to being caged—even by her own power.
Holland Vosijk
Perhaps the most intriguing transformation lies with Holland. Once a villain, now a tragic antihero, he is given the depth and redemption arc he deserves. Schwab grants him a voice and a purpose, tracing his sorrow and determination with poetic sympathy.
Rhy Maresh
As the crown prince, Rhy’s arc is one of maturity and sacrifice. His bond with Kell remains central, but in A Conjuring of Light, he steps out from his brother’s shadow. Rhy’s leadership is tested under pressure, and his tender romance with Alucard Emery brings softness to an otherwise dark tale.
Alucard Emery
The rakish captain and former lover of Rhy returns with charm, depth, and surprising vulnerability. His arc, especially through the lens of loyalty and loss, is handled with grace.
Schwab’s Writing Style: Magic in the Mundane
Schwab’s prose is precise yet lyrical, poetic without excess. She balances cinematic action with introspective character beats. Her sentences are lean but often pack an emotional punch. The author’s gift lies in contrast: the quiet before the storm, the flicker of hope in utter despair.
Where the Shadows Linger: A Critical Look
Despite the many strengths, A Conjuring of Light isn’t without flaws.
Pacing Issues
While the action-heavy opening is thrilling, the middle sags slightly. There are moments—especially during the prolonged siege of Red London—where the urgency fades into repetition. Readers might feel stuck in a loop of planning, rescuing, and regrouping.Osaron’s Villainy
Osaron, while conceptually fascinating—a magical entity with godlike aspirations—feels more abstract than menacing. His motivations are archetypal (“I want to rule”) and lack the layered nuance that made characters like the Dane twins so chilling in Book One.Underutilized Supporting Cast
Characters like Gen, Tieren, or even the royals of White and Grey London are mostly ornamental. There’s a sense that the world is grand, but we only touch the surface of its politics and peoples.Length and Repetition
At nearly 650 pages, some arcs feel stretched. The prose, while beautiful, occasionally veers into redundancy, especially in character introspection.
Themes That Bind the Trilogy
What Schwab excels at—especially in this final book—is thematic resonance.
- The Nature of Power:
Magic is both gift and burden. Schwab explores what it means to wield power responsibly—how it can corrupt (Osaron), redeem (Holland), or liberate (Lila). - Identity and Belonging:
Whether it’s Lila finding her place between worlds or Holland reclaiming his purpose, the series is as much about internal journeys as external ones. - Sacrifice and Survival:
Nearly every major character makes a sacrifice—of love, comfort, or even life. These choices give emotional authenticity to the high fantasy stakes.
Shades of Magic as a Trilogy: A Retrospective
- A Darker Shade of Magic (2015):
Introduces the multiverse with gripping originality. The contrast between the four Londons is mesmerizing. The Dane twins make for unforgettable villains. - A Gathering of Shadows (2016):
Shifts tone with the Essen Tasch (magic tournament) arc. Focuses more on character development, particularly Lila’s magical awakening and the slow-burn romance. - A Conjuring of Light (2017):
Broadens the scope. Stakes are global. Themes deepen. Characters culminate. The world teeters on ruin—and hope.
As a trilogy, Shades of Magic is among the strongest contemporary fantasy offerings, combining adventure, romantic tension, and moral complexity with a distinctive magic system.
Other Works by V.E. Schwab & Similar Reads
By the Same Author:
- Vicious and Vengeful – A darker, grittier exploration of superpowers and morality.
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – A poetic, historical fantasy with a Faustian twist.
- Gallant – Gothic, atmospheric, and mysterious.
If You Liked This, Try:
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
My Personal Take: A Satisfying, If Not Perfect, Conclusion
As someone who values character-driven fantasy with rich prose and immersive world-building, A Conjuring of Light hit all the right notes for me—though sometimes with an extra flourish that could have been tightened.
The novel succeeds as a love letter to found family, courage, and the complexity of power. Schwab’s writing elevates the genre by combining thoughtful introspection with cinematic spectacle. Yes, the pacing wobbles, and yes, the villain feels more mythic than dimensional. But what remains is a story brimming with heart, magic, and moments that linger.
Most of all, I found myself moved—not just by the epic battles or magical feats, but by the small moments: Kell tending to a wounded Rhy, Lila daring to hope, Holland choosing redemption over ruin.
It’s a rare fantasy series that balances scale and soul so deftly. Shades of Magic does just that.
Wrapping It Up: Final Verdict
A Conjuring of Light is a heartfelt, high-stakes, and emotionally resonant finale to an ambitious trilogy. While it suffers from minor pacing flaws and an underwhelming villain, it triumphs in its character arcs, themes, and world-building. Schwab leaves readers satisfied but also wistful, wishing for just one more door to open between Londons.
