I didn’t know this book is a part of a series - just very excited to read anything by VE Schwab - but readers beware going into this! Would’ve loved to have read the first book before this one, so had to look up some recaps.

That being said, VE Schwab’s world building is just next level. It took me a hot minute to put all tbe puzzle pieces together but the writing as always is next level. I thought the characters and plot were compelling and I can’t wait for what’s next!

A wonderful return to the world of the ADSOM trilogy. Lila and Kell are out on the seas, living the life of pirates and we are introduced to several other new and amazing characters.
I especially enjoyed Tess, and would like to see more of her in future books, or even her own story.

It took me longer to get into this book than other Schwab books. Perhaps I should have reread ADSOM first. Once I got the flow of the book I thoroughly enjoyed it and many of the new characters. I also loves exploring some past favourites.

This book wasn't for me. I was so confused in the beginning that I had no idea what was going on. After reading some reviews, I realized that while this is the start of a new series, it is the continuation of a previous series. Wish I had known that before starting this one.

I loved the shades of magic series so to be able to go back is such a treat. What a wonderful read, I could not put it down!

Yet another fantastic installment from V.E. Schwab. The Shades of Magic is a criminally underrated (thought it's still massively popular, just not as popular as it should be) series in a world full of fantasy, V.E. Schwab always creates the most complex characters, intriguing plotlines, and accessible magic. The Fragile Threads of Power is no exception.

While The Fragile Threads of Power is set in the Shades of Magic universe, it's its own story, so new readers can jump in with this book, though I felt like I understood things better having read the previous series.

Readers of fantasy will be sure to delight in this, as well as fans of V.E. Schwab's other work; it's full of the same wit and heart. Can't wait to see what comes next.

Really enjoyed this! Excited to see where the story goes from here! Thanks for the opportunity to let me read this!

I'm currently experiencing the moment where I realize that I must now stare down an indefinite (but definitely too long) period of time before I get more of this story and these characters.

The original Shades of Magic trilogy is one of my favorite fantasy series, and this first book in a follow-up trilogy did not disappoint. I liked that we saw both old favorite characters and got introduced to a bunch of new ones, and the plot made a lot of sense for this universe.

I loved Tes - her power is really cool, and I found her to be a really engaging character. Ren was the absolute cutest, especially when she brought out the wholesome side of my favorite characters (aka Kell, Lila, Rhy, and Alucard). I don't like the queen that much so far; I just don't trust her and it seems like she's reckless about creating spells. Even if she just wants to see what's possible and put things to good use, that doesn't mean everyone will, which was clearly demonstrated toward the end. Kosika was an interesting character, but I'm a bit indecisive on her. Her story was cool but I'm not a huge fan of White London in general and how ruthless it always makes people.

Kell's magic being splintered made me SO SAD for him. I just wanted to give him a big hug (since Lila isn't the type to comfort him like that). I knew the second I read about Tes that she would be able to fix his power, and I'm so glad I was right, and I'm also so glad I didn't have to wait through another book or two for her to fix him. The power loss trope is not my favorite because it's supposed to show that characters are still compelling without their powers, but I love powerful characters so it's always disappointing when they lose that. I think that trope was done pretty well here since Lila taught Kell how to fight and he wasn't just useless, but it definitely wasn't my favorite plot line. I hope we find out more in the future about what exactly caused his magic to splinter in the first place (I know it was the fight with Osaron, but I feel like there's an emotional aspect behind it or something).

It was kind of wild reading the beginning of this book and finding out that seven whole years had passed since A Conjuring of Light; I think the main thing that threw me off about that was that Kell and Rhy were always apart when they had always been so close. But Kell did deserve to explore and not feel responsible for protecting everyone anymore. I continue to be obsessed with Kell and Lila, although would it kill Lila to be sweet occasionally? Of course she shows her love in her own weird ways, like secretly wearing the connection ring Kell gave her around her neck for years, and giving up a thread of her power for Tes to use in weaving Kell's back together without a second thought, and relentlessly teaching Kell how to fight so he wouldn't feel powerless, but sometimes I wanted her to stop with the tough act.

Rhy and Alucard were also still adorable, and even though the whole family dynamic thing happening with the queen was a bit complicated, I also liked it. It's not surprising that in a universe with royalty, an arranged marriage would have to happen for the sake of Rhy having heirs, and I do feel like this was a good way for everyone to be happy. And Ren is just so precious with her animals.

One of very few things I didn't love was the number of flashbacks. Sometimes, especially when I was reading the chapters about Kosika, I would get confused about what timeline we were in, or I would just want to know what was happening in the present and would have preferred a brief recap over a detailed flashback. But that's just my taste - I'm never a huge flashback person, but they do serve their purpose and some of them were really fun.

The last 50-100 pages were so wild. I didn't like that Lila lost in a fight against Berras so easily since she is usually so good, even without magic, so I feel like that could've been improved a little. But when Berras had gotten the magic transferring band and used it on her? I was getting STRESSED since Kell's magic was basically useless. Kell and Alucard definitely rose to the challenge though. Tes was smart to make a door to nowhere, but where is nowhere? Were people getting dumped in Black London or something, or were they just disappearing from existence? And then when Kell gave Lila his power to close the door and collapsed screaming, I was definitely worried for a second. It was a tense ending for sure.

Kosika and Holland going to Black London and Holland wanting to "relight the fire" of magic there seems like it will either be a great idea or a terrible one. I'm guessing terrible one since we've got two books to go here. Speaking of Holland, this man just will NOT stay gone. Admittedly he's not my favorite so I was unimpressed when he was somehow appearing to Kosika. And then the reveal of Ezril being the traitor who had access to the palace made me so mad even though I had marked her as a suspect. I guess book two is probably going to be set during this festival honoring the Maresh line closing off the doors between worlds? I can't wait.

VE Schwab's writing is always so beautiful, and I love this fantasy universe. It's really unique and filled with compelling characters. This book (and the ones in the original trilogy) is hefty and took a little bit of time to get through, but it's so incredibly worth it.

Also, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book! I started it before it came out, but because I love this universe so much, I decided when I was like 20% of the way through to go back and reread the Shades of Magic trilogy before finishing (I had forgotten a lot of what happened). By the time I completed those, I had gotten a physical copy too, but I was so excited to get to start this book before it came out, and it was only because I was already loving it that I decided to finish it later when I could remember everything that happened before more clearly.

V.E. Schwab is the master at world building and getting you invested in characters. While this is the first in a new trilogy it brings in past characters from the Shades of Magic series.It is so good and I can't wait for the next book, please make time move faster.

thank you soooo much to Netgalley for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

and, as always, my wife never dissapoints 😍😍😍
it was THE BEST returning to this world and these characters, considering i had finished the trilogy not too long ago i had everything fresh in my mind so i didn't need any recaps to remember how the story had ended in ACOL. and ay, it was everything 😱 all the MCs are grown and have new responsabilities, so i loved reading them as people my own age. the new characters felt fresh and i'm really curious to see how they will develop in the trilogy. i keep saying this book can't be read without reading Shades of Magic because there is almost to none explanation about the world; i was fine because i was familiar with it, but someone who has no idea will be super lost. the mystery was really good, even tho the narration is the same, slow one it kept me interested all the time. and THAT LAST CHAPTER EXCUSE MEEEE VICTORIAAA I NEED BOOK TWO RIGHT NOOOW 😭😭
i loved it. there is no way to hide it, i need more and i loved it so much. long live Kell, Lila, Alucard and Rhy... and even Ren 💕💕💕💕

I will always love ve schwab and the world she creates! This is absolutely no different. She continues on her shades of magic series in this new set and I couldn't be more excited!

A good sequel for the Shades of Magic series. A bit on the long side so it was a kind of difficult to stay interested in the story. I enjoyed the original trilogy so it was nice to be back in this world.

Such a magical read! I never finished the ADSOM books because I couldn't get into them but did enjoy her other books so I was skeptical to go into this since it is set in the same world. The characters were a lot more enjoyable for me and the story kept my attention longer, too.

Loved this return to the world of A Darker Shade of Magic, but I should've reread the original trilogy first!

What a great return to this world! I absolutely loved it! This book follows our main characters 7 years later than the last books, with some flashbacks telling how the characters ended up in the present. There are also 2 new main characters who are fascinating (I especially loved Tess) and bring new energy to the world, both figuratively and literally. I am highly intrigued by Kosaki's role in future books.

V.E. Schwab's writing is always a treat, and even though this book is long, no time feels wasted or poorly paced. One of my previous critiques of the last book was that it was almost too heart-thrummingly fast that I had to take breaks to chill out. This book has great moments of action and excitement without it becoming too much. It also ends satisfyingly but leaves many questions open and ready to explore.

I am so glad I started this year on such a good book, and I can't wait for the next one! If you are already a fan of this work and these characters, I think you will love this book just as much!

Phenomenal follow up to her much acclaimed "A Darker Shade of Magic" trilogy. As always the first line draws you right in with our favorite Kell and Victoria has an amazing way of seeming to know exactly which lines or quotes will especially strike true with her readers. While you can jump in to this series without having read the original trilogy, I highly recommend giving it a go first as you will run into slight spoilers and may miss out on certain key details.

surprised by how much I liked this!!
me and ve schwab have a bit of a complicated relationship because I like her concepts a lot more than I like their executions. the only exceptions to that rule so far have been vicious and vengeful and the shades of magic series, which, even though I didn't love the first book, I did enjoy books two and three.
but it's been three years since I read that series, and I didn't really want to reread them, so I wasn't sure if I would end up reading this; but because I got sent an arc, I thought, what the hell!! I might as well!!
overall, I really did enjoy it. I was impressed by the plotting, which was very well done. it's a book that does a great job of reintroducing us to this world, and these characters, while also having a new conflict. I think I even liked it more than the original trilogy.
I do have to say, though, that I don't understand why they marketed this as a separate series bc you really can't read this without reading shades of magic. also hate hate hate what they did with the covers.
I still don't like Lila Bard, and I still hate schwab's tendency to write every female character as a variation of "I’m not like other girls", but I love Alucard and Rhy! and I'm intrigued by the new characters!

“The Fragile Threads of Power" by V.E. Schwab serves as a continuation of her "Shades of Magic" trilogy, delving into the lives of both familiar and new characters as they navigate political unrest and emerging threats across different dimensions of London. Set seven years after the events of the previous trilogy, this novel immerses readers into the evolving world and the characters' transformed lives.

The book begins slowly, focusing on dropping hints and backstory, gradually reintroducing the returning characters and introducing new ones. While these elements provide engaging depth, at times, the narrative feels more like extended bonus content than a focused novel, contributing to its considerable length of 650 pages.

The story's pace is affected by its non-linear structure, divided into twelve sections exploring different locations and character perspectives. While these flashbacks effectively reveal character development and changes since the previous trilogy, they also create a tangled narrative web. Despite this deviation from traditional sequel approaches, the emphasis on exploring characters' pasts adds a unique layer to character development.

Similar to the original trilogy, the book features multiple character viewpoints, with some perspectives standing out more than others. Schwab's focus on the dynamic magic system adds depth and allure to the narrative, balancing expansive fantasy adventure with introspective character explorations.

The returning heroes from "Shades of Magic" undergo substantial growth, notably Kell, who grapples with the aftermath of a significant sacrifice and copes with newfound disabilities. Lila's character continues to captivate as a daring rogue, while Rhy, Alucard, and the new character Queen Nadiya navigate royal life in Red London.

The addition of Tes, a powerful young runaway, adds complexity to the series, presenting a character grappling with uncertainty amidst a cast of more assured individuals. Bex and Calin, bickering assassins, add an interesting dynamic but lack sufficient backstory. Kosika, the child queen of White London, brings depth to the narrative, despite loosely connecting to the main storyline.

Overall, "The Fragile Threads of Power" offers a sprawling narrative that traverses time jumps, multiple worlds, and numerous characters. It's an unconventional, atmospheric, and artistic continuation to the dense fantasy series, offering an intricate tapestry of evolving lives and worlds well worth exploring.

A Darker Shade of Magic is my favorite book of all time so to say I have been eagerly awaiting a return to this world would be an understatement. This book did not disappoint. The new characters were a fantastic addition but never took away from all the original things I loved about this series and it was so good to read about them again. Another knockout from V.E Schwab.

V.E. Schwab's Fragile Threads of Power is a triumphant return to the world of the Shades of Magic trilogy. It's a novel that picks up the threads of beloved characters and weaves them into a fresh tapestry of political intrigue, magic-fueled rebellion, and poignant personal journeys.

Familiar Yet Fresh:

While familiar faces like Rhy, Lira, and Alucard grace the pages, their paths are now distinctly different. Rhy grapples with the weight of kingship in Red London, facing a rebellion fueled by fear and desperation. Lira navigates the treacherous waters of White London's political landscape, searching for a way to mend the fractured magic system. And Alucard, ever the enigmatic figure, embarks on a quest that takes him beyond the boundaries of London altogether.

Intrigue Abounds:

Schwab's masterful worldbuilding is on full display, with each London rendered in vivid detail. The political machinations in White London are as thrilling as ever, while Red London's simmering unrest threatens to boil over. The introduction of new characters and factions adds further layers of complexity, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you navigate alliances, betrayals, and the ever-present threat of chaos.

Beneath the Surface:

But Fragile Threads of Power is more than just an exciting adventure. It's a story that delves into the profound themes of power, responsibility, and the cost of progress. Each character grapples with internal struggles, questioning their own choices and the impact they have on the world. The novel explores the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and the search for belonging, making it a deeply relatable and emotionally resonant read.

A Worthy Successor:

Fragile Threads of Power is a worthy successor to the Shades of Magic trilogy. It delivers all the thrills and chills of its predecessor while offering a fresh perspective and deeper exploration of the characters and world we've come to love. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this novel is sure to captivate you with its intricate plot, unforgettable characters, and poignant reflections on the human condition.

So, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to a world of magic, intrigue, and profound human truths, look no further than Fragile Threads of Power. It's a must-read for fantasy lovers and anyone seeking a story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned.