Victoria Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic weaves an intricate tapestry of parallel worlds, dangerous magic, and unforgettable characters that immediately pulls readers into its enchanting grip. Published in 2015 as the first installment in the Shades of Magic trilogy, this novel introduces us to a universe where four different Londons exist simultaneously, each with its own relationship to magic and its own distinct character.
What makes Schwab’s world-building truly exceptional is her ability to create not just one fully realized setting, but four unique versions of the same city, each with its own cultural, political, and magical systems. Red London thrives with magic, Grey London (our historical London) has forgotten it, White London is consumed by it, and Black London was destroyed by it. This brilliant foundation sets the stage for a story that transitions seamlessly between wonder and terror.
Characters That Breathe Beyond the Page
At the heart of this novel is Kell, one of the last Antari—rare magicians who can travel between the different Londons. With his peculiar coat of many sides and his distinctive black eye marking his magical nature, Kell is both privileged and imprisoned by his abilities. Officially serving as a royal messenger between worlds, he secretly smuggles trinkets between Londons—a dangerous hobby that quickly spirals out of control.
Delilah (Lila) Bard emerges as the perfect counterbalance to Kell. A cross-dressing thief with dreams of becoming a pirate, Lila is Grey London’s sharpest survivor. What makes her particularly compelling is her unapologetic ambition and refusal to be sidelined, regardless of the dangers she faces. Her mantra, “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still,” perfectly encapsulates her spirit.
Their dynamic—initially antagonistic, gradually respectful, and ultimately partnership-based—drives much of the novel’s emotional depth. Schwab excels at creating complexity in her characters; they’re neither wholly heroic nor entirely flawed, but instead exist in the compelling grey area of real human motivation.
A Plot That Pulls No Punches
The storyline begins with Kell’s smuggling habit going terribly wrong when he unknowingly transports a dangerous artifact from Black London—a world supposedly sealed off and destroyed. This black stone, pulsing with corrupt magic, sets off a chain of events that threatens all the remaining Londons.
What elevates Schwab’s plotting beyond standard fantasy fare is her willingness to let her characters face real consequences. The violence isn’t gratuitous but meaningful; the stakes feel genuinely high. As Kell and Lila race to return the stone to Black London, the narrative never loses its momentum, balancing character development with action sequences that leave readers breathless.
Magic with Rules and Consequences
The magic system Schwab has created deserves special mention. Unlike many fantasy novels where magic exists as a convenient plot device, here magic follows consistent rules and exacts real costs. The distinction between elemental magic, blood magic, and the forbidden binding magic provides a framework that makes the fantastical elements feel grounded and believable.
Particularly fascinating is the concept of Antari blood magicians, individuals marked by a black eye who can command magic with their blood and voice. This power comes with a price—both physical in the blood they must shed and societal in how they are both revered and feared.
Strengths That Shine Through
Several aspects of Schwab’s writing particularly stand out:
- World-building that balances detail with pacing – Schwab never info-dumps, instead revealing her complex world through natural conversation and character observation.
- Dialogue that crackles with tension and wit – Characters speak in distinct voices that reveal their personalities and backgrounds.
- Atmospheric prose that engages all senses – Each London has its own sensory fingerprint: the floral scent of Red London’s magic, the metallic taste of White London’s corruption, the smoky grimness of Grey London.
- A balanced cast of supporting characters – From the charismatic Prince Rhy to the terrifying Dane twins, secondary characters feel fully developed rather than simply functional.
Room for Growth
Despite its considerable strengths, A Darker Shade of Magic isn’t without flaws:
- The first third of the book occasionally feels slow as Schwab establishes her complex multiverse
- Some readers might find the Black London conceit somewhat underdeveloped in this first installment
- While antagonists like the Dane twins are menacing, their motivations sometimes verge on standard fantasy villainy
- Certain side characters deserve more development than they receive in this volume
These minor criticisms, however, largely resolve themselves across the trilogy, with A Gathering of Shadows (2016) and A Conjuring of Light (2017) expanding the world and deepening character relationships in satisfying ways.
The Broader Series: What Comes Next?
A Darker Shade of Magic sets the foundation for an increasingly complex and emotionally resonant trilogy. The second book, A Gathering of Shadows, expands the political landscape through a magical tournament and introduces new threats while exploring the aftermath of the first book’s events. The final installment, A Conjuring of Light, brings the trilogy to a spectacular conclusion, tying together the threads of Black London’s fall and the fates of all four worlds.
What makes this series particularly successful is how Schwab builds on her foundation, with each book raising both the personal and magical stakes. Characters grow and change organically through their experiences, and relationships deepen in believable ways.
Schwab’s Literary Voice
Those familiar with Schwab’s other works—particularly her adult novels Vengeful and Vicious (published under V.E. Schwab) or her YA titles like The Near Witch—will recognize her signature blend of darkness and humanity. Schwab excels at creating morally complex characters navigating impossible situations, with writing that balances lyrical description with efficient storytelling.
Her narrative voice has a distinctive cadence, often using short, punchy sentences for impact followed by more elaborately constructed passages. This rhythmic quality makes her prose both accessible and literary—a difficult balance many fantasy writers struggle to achieve.
For Readers Who Enjoy…
Fans of the following will likely find themselves enchanted by A Darker Shade of Magic:
- Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series (particularly for its complex magic system)
- Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere (for its alternate London setting)
- Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus (for its atmospheric magic)
- N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season (for its unflinching look at power dynamics)
Final Verdict: A Modern Fantasy Classic in the Making
A Darker Shade of Magic succeeds on multiple levels—as pure entertainment, as thoughtful exploration of power and belonging, and as masterful world-building. The novel isn’t afraid to go dark, but never loses its sense of wonder and possibility. Schwab has created something special here: a fantasy that feels both classic and entirely fresh.
While not without minor flaws, this first installment lays the groundwork for what becomes one of the most satisfying fantasy trilogies of recent years. For readers willing to invest in its multiverse concept, the rewards are substantial—characters you’ll care deeply about, worlds you’ll long to visit (or perhaps avoid), and a story that balances thrilling adventure with genuine emotion.
A Darker Shade of Magic deserves its place on any fantasy reader’s shelf, particularly those who appreciate magic with consequences, morally complex characters, and worlds that feel alive even after the final page is turned. In crafting multiple Londons, Schwab has ensured that readers will want to visit each one—even at the considerable risk such travel entails.
As Kell himself might say, “I’ll take that risk.”
