i want to read the next book but i CANT because it's so THICK and i don't have the time for thick book in the next couple of months :((

LOVE

<blockquote><b><i>“Strength and weakness are tangled things,” the Aven Essen had said. “They look so much alike, we often confuse them, the way we confuse magic and power.” </i></b></blockquote> I already loved A Darker Shade of Magic, and while that first book was more fast paced and had more things going on during the book, this one is more consistent in its pace and it builds the tension and the events until everything explodes in the final scenes...AND WHAT WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER, SCHWAB? MY HEART CAN'T TAKE THIS KIND OF THING! Although this was more of a development book, with some world expansion and character building, it didn't lack emotion and surprises. I loved the idea of the tournament and the battles were exciting and really well written - I felt like I could really see in my mind what was happening! As for the characters, it was interesting seeing them 4 months after the events of the first book and how it affected them as well as how the changes they went through influenced what happened in this installment. I liked Lila a lot more in this one, and there were scenes when she was badass and amazing, and I absolutely loved her relationship with Alucard (my absolute favorite new character, btw), but sometimes she's so selfish, cruel and reckless that I want to slap her. I don't really understand some of her actions and her need to run away when things start going for her. Kell is my precious, innocent baby and I suffered for him, as well as for Rhy. They both seemed lost and in pain and I just wanted them to be happy. ALUCARD IS KING OF EVERYTHING, BYE. The White London plot was interesting and creepy (the characters there, and honestly the whole city is creepy, even after the whole 'restauration') and even though it was constantly at the back of my mind that something bad was bound to happen as a result, it was still shocking to read the actual consequences of the new King' schemes. Now I just NEED to know what happens next and can't wait to see what Schwab came up in the conclusion and how the characters will interact and what more of this world will be explored.

Wonderful second part in the "Shades of Magic" series! Although it's not really happening much, I was really intrigues. And the end - THE END - how could you do that to me? (Book 3 is already ordered!)