Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Narrated by Steven Crossley 

Series: A Darker Shade of Magic Book 1

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the Ford Audiobook Club. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I enjoyed this book, and the reader was excellent. The book reads more like a contemporary fiction book or magical realism, though this book is all Fantasy otherworld/hidden worlds Fantasy.

The author has presented the reader with a historical London setting, and combines it with unfamiliar parallel worlds, it is a fascinating, concept, I give Schwab credit, in the length of the novel, she has attempted to world build not just one, but four worlds at once. This may have resulted in an expansive, but less developed world building, that includes a bit of info dumping" or "stop and smell the roses moments", that pull the reader out of the action, and storyline.

Overall, A Darker Shade of Magic is a good, and different fantasy read, with interesting and engaging characters. This is a fantasy book, that is not all encompassing and has a medium learning curve.

Details:
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic Book 1
Published February 24th 2015 by Tor Books
Links:
V.E. Schwab


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Book Review: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Reckoners series, book 1

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic ..... To Quote Pat Rothfuss: "Steelheart is another win for Sanderson, proving that he's not a brilliant writer of epic fantasy, he's simply a brilliant writer. Period. "

The first book in Sanderson's Reckoners series, Steelheart is everything a book should be, it is well written, the action and pacing are intense, the world-building is phenomenal and the characters are engaging. But that is only the beginning of why this is a great book.

Sanderson manages to evoke the feeling of the old comics and classic Superhero's with a unique twist and the reality of what power really is and what it means to be a true hero.

Links:
Brandon Sanderson
Steelheart Portal


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Book Review: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight  by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, book 2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and Laini Taylor does not disappoint in this second book in the series. From the characters to the story arc, this is a solid urban fantasy.

For the few things that bothered me while I was reading it I had to remind myself that this is a YA book, in all other ways it is not a typical YA, with a fully developed magic system, and solid world building, along with strong characters.

The main female character is strong and believable, the romance is part of her but does not truly define her.

Links:
Read my review of Book 1, Daughter of Smoke & Bone here.
Laini Taylor

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Books Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Book 1

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because of a recommendation, At first I was unsure about this series sounding too much like a typical YA angels and paranormal romance, but this is not that, it is true urban fantasy, with a twist on myth and angels, attention to details and though romance is a theme, it is tied in with the story not the only story.

Laini Taylor

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Book Review: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lovely bones is a disturbing, and facinating look at family life and growing up in suburbia from a very different perspective. The Alice Sebold manages to weave a story about a family's, love, strength and hope around a story of loss, letting go and tragidy.

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