Book: A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

 ★★★★★/★★★★★

“Love and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”

One word: Brilliant. 

Gahd, I really love this series and now that I've finished the last book, I don't think I'll ever be the same again! I mean, after knowing Kell, Lila, Rhy and all the other characters, it's hard to move on! And thinking that their story is already over... no, no, no! But well, Shades of Magic has been an amazing adventure. 

It's been over a week since I finished the book but until now I still have a book hangover. I tried picking up another book right after finishing but I just can't take my mind off Kell. It's a bit crazy, I know, but I needed a while to absorb everything and convince myself that it's really finished. The series is over. And it still makes me frown everytime I tell myself that.  

Everything in this book is just plain brilliant. The characters, the plot, the prose, the worldbuilding, especially the world building! I fell in love with everything the instant I read the first chapter and right there and then I had my new favorite series. And author! 

“Picking out a gift?” asked the captain.
“No.”
“Good, then take this.” He dropped a ring into Kell’s hand.
Kell frowned. “I’m flattered, but I think you’re asking the wrong brother.”

The characters are what made me love this series even more. I've already grown fond of Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard and even Holland who broke my heart in this last book. They all had their own moments, times when they had to make crucial decisions and I think that's when their character shone the brightest. Rhy has finally started acting like a prince, wanting to do something to protect his family, his people, his kingdom. Kell is ever the self-sacrificing prince/brother/Antari. (And I fell in love with him all over again!) Lila, well, she's still the best thief out there, always headstrong and  stubborn. I've always liked Alucard since the AGoS but in this book, omg, he stole my heart! And Holland, oh poor Holland. My heart ached for him all throughout.

I also love the interactions between the characters because they always just end up bickering with each other, annoying the hell out of one another. Especially Kell and Alucard! Sometimes Holland too. But those playful moments are what I'll miss most!!!

Her heart was beating hard against her ribs, some primal part of her saying run, and she was running, just not away. She was tired of running away. So she was running into Kell.
And he caught her.

Now let's get to the romance part where oh. my. gulay. Kell and Lila. Lila and Kell. Do I need say more? Because they're perfect. For each other. With each other. From the first book I've been rooting for their romance and finally, finally, Schwab gave us something exciting in this book! And can we also talk about that scene where Kell was teaching Lila some magic words? OH. MY. GOD! I was practically grinning the entire time. And when Alucard walked in on them? It was hilarious!

Moving on, we also have Rhy and Alucard and they're the cutest! I enjoyed every moment they had together especially when Rhy acted all prince-y at first but in the end finally realizing Alucard's true feelings. 

 When Kell Maresh and Lila Bard had first parted ways, he’d whispered the word in her wake, beneath his breath, full of the certainty—the hope—they’d meet again. He’d known it wasn’t an end. And this wasn’t an end, either, or if it was, then simply the end of a chapter, an interlude between two meetings, the beginning of something new.

 Overall, I'm very satisfied with this series. Schwab didn't disappoint and that ending is just... perfect! I honestly had to stop myself a few pages away from the ending because I just didn't want it to end. I love this series that much! I guess I wasn't just ready for it to end that I tried to draw it out for as long as I could. But of course, it had to end. 

Anyway, I know I only ended up fan-girling without even coming up with a proper review but there's really only one word to describe this book and it's brilliant. So read it, you guys!

And, well, Anoshe.

Book: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

★★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”

It's official. Victoria Schwab is my new favorite author! TSS is as brilliant as ADSoM and AGoS and now I'm in love with a monster! But of course, Kell is still my #1!

This book has gripped me from the first page until the very last that I didn't want to put it down when I had to but too bad I had to sleep! This world Schwab has created with monsters and human-who-act-like-monsters is so engaging and engrossing that it will keep you up all night thinking about the real monsters out there. There isn't much in the world-building but the characters and the writing style, oh my god the writing style, are both amazing!

The story basically revolves around Kate Harker and August Flynn who found themselves saving each other as the war between their families escalates. Kate is the daughter of Callum Harker, the horrendous leader who controls the north side of Verity and the monsters, and all Kate wanted is to be like him. She wants to be powerful, ruthless and feared not only by humans but also by monsters. She finds herself doing horrible things just to prove her father that she can also do what he can. August, on the other hand, wants to be human. He's a Sunai, a monster who feeds on the soul of the sinners, and Henry Flynn, leader of the south, took him in together with two other Sunai, Leo and Ilsa. Despite being a monster, August doesn't act like one unlike his brother Leo who embraces his nature.

In the north, Harker controls the monsters and people have to pay for his protection so that monsters won't harm them. In the south, Flynn protects the people by hunting down the monsters. The two have a peace agreement and as long as neither break the promise, a war won't happen. But the agreement could only last long for the monsters also want to own the city now. And what a perfect way to break the truce when Kate is presumed missing and August is the main suspect.

I really enjoyed this book but I have to admit that the monsters in this book scared me a bit. I was imagining Sloan and oh my god he is frightening! I didn't want to imagine the Corsai anymore but everytime I see a shadow they come to mind. And this is the reason I don't read horror!

"Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul."

The characters are well-rounded and though I kinda didn't like Kate's character at first, I came to understand where she's coming from later on. She wants to be like her father because she knew there's no place for weak people in their world. You must be powerful, ruthless and act just like a monster if you want the monsters to fear you and not the  other way other. And since her father has proven his ruthlessness long ago, Kate realized that it's her turn to prove that she's a real Harker just like her father. But while Kate wants to be a monster like her father, August wants the opposite. He doesn't want to steal souls, doesn't want to scare people. He just wants to be like them. To be normal.

"Kate," he said with a sob. "I can't keep going toward the edge―don't let me fall." His breath hitched. "I can't I can't do it again I can't go dark again I'm holding on to very little piece and if I let go I can't get them back I don't want to disappear―"

"Okay, August," she said, trying to keep her voice calm and even. "I won't let you fall."

I loved August's character right away and though he felt a bit cliche (a monster wanting to be human) he isn't hard to love. He genuinely wants to be different, to protect the innocents, to be able to do what's right. And the moment I found out that he's a monster who wants to be good, I was sold! Because I already knew what happens next.

He could be the monster, if that kept others human.

I know I would've loved it even more if there's romance between Kate and August (I know, I know, but  what can I do when I'm a sucker for romance?!) but somehow I wasn't disappointed that there isn't any in this book. Actually, I liked that they started off having negative/wrong ideas about each other and then eventually worked their way from there, trying to keep each other alive. And I have a feeling that there's a great chance we'll see a progress in Kate and August's relationship in the next book! Haha :P

Anyway, aside from the characters, Schwab's writing wowed me. It's like she writes and words just start to form beautifully! She has a way of threading characters and telling story and how I wish I could write like her. It's only my third book of hers but like I said, she's my new favorite author and I would love to read more of her works. And maybe I'll read Vicious next!

But while I loved the characters, plot and the writing style, I feel like it lacks something in the world-building. And that's the reason for a minus half-star. I guess I was waiting to see a more vivid Verity, the world where monsters are born whenever people commit a violent act. Aside from that, this book is amazing! It's action-packed, fast-paced and the monsters will keep you awake.

* * *

“Are you all right?” he asked.

His voice was still distant, but there was something in it. A sliver of concern. Kate let out a ragged breath. She looked down at herself, her torn sweater and bloodied hands. “I’m alive.”

A tired smile flickered across his face. “Well,” he said, “that’s a start.”

Book: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

 ★★★★★/★★★★★

 “Everyone thinks I have a death wish, you know? But I don't want to die-dying is easy. No, I want to live, but getting close to death is the only way to feel alive. And once you do, it makes you realize that everything you were doing  before wasn't actually living. It was just making do. Call me crazy, but I think we do the best living when the stakes are high.”

I don't even know where to start! I've been trying to write a review since I finished the book and until now I'm still trying because there's just too many things to say! Well, for starters, this book, without a doubt, was brilliant and amazing and... magical. And I loved it! I've been hooked the moment I read the first book of the Shades of Magic series, A Darker Shade of Magic (review here) and finishing A Gathering of Shadows just made me love it even more. Now I'm patiently waiting for the third book and I believe it's going to be epic! 

The second book picks up four months after Kell and Lila have dethroned the Dane twins of White London. Four months since Rhy almost died (well, he did but Kell brought him back to life), four months since Holland was thrown to the Black London together with the mysterious black stone and four months since Lila walked away from Kell. It's been four months since the Black Night that changed a lot of things. Since then Kell had to stop smuggling things from different Londons and the King had made it clear that he wanted Rhy and Kell protected all the time. And being protected meant Kell can't really go around freely doing things without the King knowing. Kell tried to understand but somehow he felt like a prisoner. Like he was trapped. It was bad enough that he felt responsible for what happened during the Black Night but it was worse when he felt like he lost the King and Queen's trust. Now he was trying to be okay with all of it but it was consuming him. He needed a release, a way to feel alive again. And that was when Rhy thought of an idea; Kell participating in the upcoming Element Games, an international competition where magicians gather to compete. Kell reluctantly agreed because he knew it was bad for both of them but as the competition came close, he actually felt excited. Lila, on the other hand, has found her dream of being a pirate. Well, she didn't really become a pirate but she's found the ship of her liking. She initially planned to kill the captain of the Night Spire, Alucard Emery, but things started to change when she just suddenly grew fond of the captain and his crew. Meanwhile, in White London, a new King has claimed the throne and he wanted his London to flourish with magic again. But he can't quite do that with someone inside him trying to control him.

Everything in this book was perfect! The plot, the characters, the magic, the world-building, the writing style, everything! I'm a big fan of fantasy novels so I'm really really glad I picked up this series. And I knew when I started reading the first book that I'd found my new favorite series.

I can give you a lot of reasons why I love this book and let me start with Kell. An Antari, a loyal brother, a good man, and everything a powerful magician can be! Saints, I adore him and don't get me started with how good of a brother he was. But with his bond with Rhy, it somehow made him feel trapped inside his own body. He was extra careful because with Rhy's life at stake, he couldn't take any chances. He mostly stayed in the Basin, some sort of a practice room, where he found some release when he trained. Some days he still thought of Lila, wondering where she could be, if she was still thieving.

 “I know it's mad, but for a second I though it was...”
 “Saints, you're seeing her in everyone and everything now, Kell? There's a word for that.”
 “Hallucination?”
 “Infatuation.”
Kell snorted. “I'm not infatuated,” he said.  “I just..." He just wanted to see her.  “Our paths crossed one time. Months ago. It happens.”

I can't help but love Kell's character because man, he was perfect! I mean, sure he had his dark side but his good side make up for that. He though of Rhy's safety above all, he tried to do the best for his country, he stopped smuggling things from other London and he stayed in the palace even when it felt like a prison. He felt frustrated and lonely but the kingdom and Rhy's safety were his priorities.

Lila, I loved since the first book. She was headstrong, smart and she always got what she wanted. Man, she was a badass! She was at the Night Spire the first part of the book, earning her place by robbing and killing Alucard's best thief. When she found out that Alucard could use magic, she was determined to make him teach her. So then she became a part of Alucard's crew--privateering and learning magic. We saw more of Lila in this book and I wasn't surprised that she became more ambitious. She's always been dreaming of big and impossible things but now she was flirting with death by joining the Element Games.

 “I am Delilah Bard, she thought. Pirate, thief, magician. Her fingertips began to thrum. 
I have crossed worlds and taken ships. Fought queens and saved cities. Her bones shuddered and her blood raced. I am one of a kind.”

Rhy was still our adorable prince. We got to see a lot of him in the book and I loved seeing more of him! He still had his charms, always bickering with Kell and always winning his brother's heart. But Rhy also struggled with his new magical bond with Kell. Sure, he was grateful to Kell but it was still a borrowed life. With the thought of burdening Kell or Kell always restraining himself to do things because he was thinking of him, it made Rhy felt bad. And though Kell didn't say anything, Rhy could feel how hard it was for him.

“Rhy knew Kell's true hesitation, and it wasn't getting caught, or starting trouble; it was the fear of causing him pain. Every day Kell moved like Rhy was made of glass, and it was driving them both mad. But once the tournament started, once he saw that Rhy was fine, that he could take it, survive it--hell, could survive anything, wasn't that the point?--then maybe Kell would finally let go, stop holding his breath, stop trying to protect him, and just live.”

The bond between Rhy and Kell had always been strong even before Kell shared his life with Rhy. They cared and loved each other so much they were willing to do anything, everything for each other and I think that's what made me love them even more.

The prince took a step forward, and swayed, but Kell caught him and kept him upright. “There you go again,” murmured Rhy, leaning his head on Kell's shoulder. “You never let me fall.”

And I have a new favorite! Alucard Emery, captain of the Night Spire, magician and a flirt. Well, he had a right to be one. I wasn't sure about him at first but as the story went on I found him intriguing. He was mysterious, he can see magic (literally) and the twist in his part (why Kell loathed him) was oh my god! It was unpredictable and perfect. I mean, oh my god! I was swooning while reading that part (and I might've reread it a couple of times, or more!) and I can't help but love Schwab even more!

“Fix your crown, my prince,” he called back as he reached the door. “It's crooked.”

Okay, moving on... another thing I loved about Alucard (among other million things) was that he let Lila be a part of his crew and grew fond of her. I knew he saw something in Lila and somehow was intrigued because of her unique personality but nonetheless he welcomed her. And I admit that there were times I felt like there was something between him and Lila. But nah, Alucard already belonged to someone else. Lol.

“Alucard sighed, and closed his eyes, tipping his head back against the plush chair. He had a nice face, soft and sharp at the same time. She had the strangest urge to reach out and trace the lines of it with her fingers, Lila really should have killed him, back when they first met. Back before she could know him. Back before she could like him so much.”

 This book is really brilliant! With the characters, plot, world-building, writing style and its magic, it was perfect! And I know we didn't see much of romance in the first book but I was happy there were some in this book. Because I'm a sucker for romance, didn't I tell you? And Kell + Lila was asdfghjklskhffgh :")

They danced in silence for several long moments, spinning together and apart, a slower version of their cadence in the ring. And then, out of nowhere, Lila asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why didn you ask me to dance?”
He almost smiled. A ghost. A trick of the light. “So you couldn't run away again before I said hello.”
“Hello,” said Lila.
“Hello,” said Kell. “Where have you been?”
Lila smirked. “Why, did you miss me?”
Kell opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again before finally managing to answer, “Yes.”

So, I gave this book a perfect shining 5-star because I really loved it. And I know I'll probably spoil you if I talk more so I'll stop here. In a nutshell, you should read this book because it's brilliant!