I will never not kneel at the throne of VE Schwab and The Fragile Threads of Power only proves how incredibly talented they are at crafting a story. Picking up several years after A Conjuring of Light, the latest instalment picks up with some favourite characters and introduces some new ones as well. I loved seeing Kell and Lila in a comfortable, yet still charmingly combative, relationship, and couldn’t be happier to see Alucard and Rhy again! TFTOP is a long book and takes a little while to get going, in Schwab’s signature style, but once the threads (pardon the pun) started weaving together to create a gripping plot that kept me interested into the final page. TFTOP works really well as both a transitional book for readers of the original trilogy and as a fantastic jumping off point for a new series.

The new dimensions to the magical system in the original trilogy might’ve been my favourite part. I really enjoyed learning more about White London in particular, especially the re-emergence of a certain beloved character, and genuinely can’t wait to see where the story is going to go.

VE Schwab is so immensely talented and I genuinely think anything she writes is a guaranteed hit. Couldn’t recommend this book (and the original trilogy) more!!

At the end of A Conjuring of Light we learn the word "anoshe" - until another day. At the time, it felt like the right note to end the trilogy on because the world of the Londons would go on, but it would go on without us. It was bittersweet and hopeful, and I never imagined that this world would come back to me to reveal more of its stories. Coming back to Red London, to Kell especially, felt like home.

Am I crying right now as I try and write this? Absolutely.

This is a brand new story with characters both familiar and new. While a big bad was defeated in the previous trilogy, there's always going to be a new villain. We get a new enemy to fight, new complicated, emotional characters and the familiar complex web of entanglements. While bonds were formed before, they are going to be tested in new and terrible ways.

It felt familiar with the sass, sarcasm, creativity, and violence that weaves the plot of this book together, and yet it took people and powers in directions we haven't seen before. It was like putting on a jacket you haven't worn since last winter and finding $20 in the pocket. Somehow both frustrating and delightful.

Schwab has not lost touch with this world at all, and is pushing the reader forward to attach to new characters without having to let go of the old. I cannot wait to see where this trilogy takes us...or how it's going to break our hearts.

I had no idea what I was getting into with this next installment of this series. I did like that you could start this if you were new to this world but I felt like I appreciated it more woth reading the other books. I can't wait to see how this series unravels.

Phenomenal start to a new high fantasy series! If you like multiple POVs, multiple timelines, and multiple worlds all intricately woven together than this book is for you!

The world building is phenomenal, the magic system was fresh and well developed and the character development was amazing. I loved how Schwab presented each POV as a person. We weren't given enough information up front to decided it they were good or bad, if we would like them or not, and s the book progressed the opinions we formed about the characters could change.

Shwab reveals just enough in each chapter for us to have a sense of what is going on, and to make confections to later, but not enough to ruin the mystery of how all of threads will come together.

This was such a great book I can't wait to read the next one.

A new series set in the worlds of White, Grey and Red London. You don't have to have read the Darker Shade of Magic series, but it would definitely help with the older characters. King Rhy is back along with his brother Kel, one of only 3 Antari, who can walk between the realms. A new Antari names Tes has sprung up and she may be the only one who can bring the realms together.
V.E. Schwab is an amazing storyteller who can weave together the most wonderful tales. You'll want to live and breathe in her magical world.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for this e-arc.*

holy mother of god!! i absolutely loved this book!! it was amazing being back in the world of the londons. we follow a huge cast of characters, some old, some new.

there were so many swoon worthy moments, especially between two certain characters. there were also so many cute moments and moments that made me want to squeal. i just couldn’t get enough.

there was so much action and so much suspense, especially regarding Tes’ journey. none of these characters can seem to catch a break and i just wanted to reach into the book and wrap them all in bubble wrap.

i devoured this book, it was so good i struggled to put it down to sleep! i cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy because that ending had me shooketh.

I feel like I need to preface this review by saying that V.E. Schwab is an absolute genius. The way they are able to weave in elements from the original trilogy and introduce new characters and storylines is so compelling. I absolutely loved returning to see the old characters. They're character's that I feel like I've grown with, especially since I reread the original trilogy in anticipation of this book. I felt a burst of pure joy at every original character's introduction in this. I also loved the new characters, especially Nadiya and Ren, and getting to experience them in the present and the flashbacks of their lives.

This did feel like reading a 600+ page book, as it's a very slowly developed plot. At the same time I was so engrossed in the storyline and seeing where the characters would take it, that I was still able to breeze through this book. I can't wait for the rest of this series to come out, just to see what V.E. Schwab does (and how I will be emotionally destroyed, because I can feel it coming).

I cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to be back in this world. The utter delight of seeing familiar characters, plus the new faces that broaden this ever-expanding world. And the voice! The style! V E Schwab is in another league that most writers (including myself) only aspire to.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC of The Fragile Threads of Power. V.E. Schwab is such an instant buy author for me and this book did not disappoint. I adored being back in the Darker Shade of Magic world with a new main character. It had the classic V.E. Schwab charm and heart-pounding plot and characters, further solidifying how versatile and amazing Schwab is. I cannot wait for more. I'm still thinking about this, even days later. I already need to reread!

The Fragile Threads of Power is a marvelous story of worlds beyond the imagination! The page count may seem daunting but don't be discouraged as it is worth the investment. You'll be immersed on a journey to various ports and passages of time as Schwab enthralls you with her words.

I look forward to the next installment in this new series, Threads of Powers. This book is a sequel to the Shades of Magic series as it takes place seven years after the last book. This book can be read without experiencing the other as Schwab magically weaves the characters into this series and their place in time now.

Thank you Tor Publishing for the complimentary copy.

Let me start by saying I'd give this story five stars over and over again if I could. It's be a very long time since I have enjoyed a fantasy novel as much as I enjoyed this book.
First, I had no idea that this was part of a series and for those of you who are wondering, I don't think you need the prequel to understand or enjoy this story (I didn't read it, and I probably won't, but I was able to follow the story line easily).
I had very little idea of what this story was about (thanks to not reading the prequel), but I knew I loved The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, so I decided to request the ARC of this one. Schwab's writing style and world building capabilities are truly astonishing and after I got about 25% through this story, I couldn't put it down. I did feel like it dragged a little at the beginning, but once I read more, I realized how important the first quarter of the book was to the world building. I think going in blind also allowed me to just enjoy the story versus trying to work out who was where and which characters belonged together (this will make more sense to those who have/will read it).
My favorite character, by far, was Tess (okay, really, the owl was my favorite). Her rough childhood and need to find her own way in the world made her a realistic and believable character. The bravery and nobility that was asked of her throughout the story was inspiring and heartbreaking. In Tess, Schwab wrote a wholly three dimensional character for whom I cheered and with whom I wept throughout the story. I found myself continuing to read so that I could "get back" to the chapters about Tess. Don't get me wrong, the other characters were amazing too (not Lila, but that's coming in the next paragraph), but Tess has a very special place in my heart.
Now, Lila Bard. I was honestly confused for a lot of the book. Is she the villain? The Heroine? Just a crazy magician who needs a massive dose of compassion? Unclear. But, I'm going with number three. It's not clear to me if Schwab wrote this character to be the unlikeable and manipulative personality in the novel, or if that's just how she ended up, but I really disliked her personality. However, again, she writes good characters, with lots of depth, so even though I hated Lila, I kept reading because of how invested I became. I also apprecaited the open-ended aspect of this story (book #2 I'm coming for you!), but Lila's choices at the end didn't thrill me. But, complex characters are, well, complex and I take it as a good sign that I cared so much about the ending of the book.
Overall, fantastic story, and I'm already counting down to the next one!

Please note: my review of this novel will be posted on my bookstagram @leannaslittlelibrary on the publish date 09/26/2023

I don't read a lot of fantasy. It's not my go-to genre, but I will read every word that V.E. Schwab writes. She has the ability to transport me to another world, to make me believe in magic. I already can't wait to see where this series goes, to see the choices that these characters make and to be introduced to even more new ones.

How how I love these characters! I was so glad to get more of a glimpse at the lives of these well written complicated characters. Following their lives now and getting caught up on what happened between A Conjuring of Light to their present made me very happy as I do not feel we needed a book 3.5. V.E. Schwab did an amazing job of catching us up while keeping us captivated and not dragging. There is no lull in this book and it will keep you saying “just one more chapter” until you finish the amazing story. I can not wait to read more and see where this story goes!

The Fragile Threads of Power is an excellent addition to this series! I don't think you will need to read the original trilogy to enjoy this one, but I think you will want to once you finish this one.
I loved coming back to this world and seeing not only all of my favorite characters from the first trilogy but meeting some interesting new characters that I have a feeling are going to play a large part in the upcoming books, and I can't wait to see what their rolls are going to be!

We get plenty of action, magic, twist and turns, and anything else you could possibly want in a story, it sucked me in from the first page, and was so sad once I reached the end that it was over. This is an amazing world and I can't wait to see where the story is going to go, and whats going to happen next!!

For those who still believe in magic

With The Fragile Threads of Power VE Schwab welcomes readers home to the Shades of Magic world. The start of a new spinoff series to A Darker Shade of Magic, The Fragile Threads of Power expands the scope of the original trilogy to explore themes of power, control, love, and leadership. I admit that I was nervous to return to a world that I love so much, but The Fragile Threads of Power absolutely exceeded my expectations.

The Fragile Threads of Power features both new and old characters leading to a compelling mix of nostalgia and intrigue. I was pleasantly surprised by how prevalent the old characters were in the story. Though they remain the characters we love, you can also feel how the passage of time has changed them. They have grown and matured and their relationships felt much richer and more complex. I was particularly obsessed with any scene that involved Kell and/or Lila. It made me so emotional to see how far these characters have come since we last saw them in A Conjuring of Light.

In my opinion, The Fragile Threads of Power excels as a transition point between the Shades of Magic and the Threads of Power trilogies. Kell, Lila, Rhy, and Alucard provide a sense of familiarity and excitement as readers readjust to the world. As the story progresses, the new characters begin to take a more prominent role drawing the reader in with their unique personalities and interesting backstories. As Schwab wraps up plot threads for the Shades of Magic characters she introduces future directions for the new characters. Though I doubt we are done with the Shades of Magic characters, The Fragile Threads of Power feels like the point where the old characters hand over the reigns to the new cast. I am very excited to see more from Tes and Kosika and to hopefully learn more about some of the mysterious side characters.

One of my favorite parts of this new installment is the expansion of the world-building and the magic. The title The Fragile Threads of Power fits in so many ways as the story explores power and leadership in various Londons as well as the nature and limitations of magic. I was so excited to be able to explore more areas outside of Arnes and Red London.

VE Schwab’s writing is—as always—immaculate and you can feel how much they have grown as an author in recent years. I truly think this was the perfect way to introduce a spin-off series. There are plenty of moments between the original characters to have you freaking out. And yet there is lots of new stuff to discover as well. I could not be happier to be back in the Shades of Magic world and I cannot wait to see how the adventure continues in the next book.

Can you read TFTOP without reading the Shades of Magic Trilogy? No. I mean you technically can. But you shouldn't. I just don't see how you could possibly get the intended impact of The Fragile Threads of Power without having read the original series.

This was a great reintroduction into the Shades of Magic world, starting off strong with this compelling start to a new trilogy. I found myself transported to the first time I read the Shade of Magic, and was pleasantly surprised by how much the characters from the first trilogy are involved in this new story. I really enjoyed the story overall and I’m excited for it to continue, new characters with special abilities and backgrounds are just another way that V.E. Schwab has made this universe grow.

V.E. Schwab’s writing is absolutely beautiful. Her world building is always amazing. It’s hard to review The Fragile Threads of Power with out spoiling the Shades of Magic trilogy. I loved returning to Red London and to our beloved characters. I especially enjoyed reading about Tess and her magic . Tess is able to see the threads of power. Overall, I loved this book. I still enjoyed the magic system and I can’t wait for book two. Thank you NetGalley for this amazing opportunity. I love the new cover designs and I will be definitely be purchasing a physically copy.

I almost gave up on this one in the beginning. It was a bit slow to start and a whole lot of confusing with the timeline changes. It was so worth the wait though. Eventually the flow evens out and the story gets really good. I like the magic system and the characters are well thought out and dynamic. I will be looking for the sequal!

Thank you Tor Books and NetGalley for an ARC of The Fragile Threads of Power!

I have been a fan of VE Schwab since I read the Invisible Life of Addie La Rue. While this book was gripping, well written, and overall a magical ride, it was a bit too heavy on the fantasy for my personal tastes.

Fans of magic, high fantasy, and SciFi will love this one, but it was unfortunately not for me.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab was probably one of the best books I've read this year and I'm so thankful to have had an opportunity to read an ARC, so thank you NetGalley and Tor.

I'm so glad to be back in this world and that we get to see some of my favorite characters. I think Schwab did a fantastic job of integrating new and beloved characters into the story and making it an entirely new thing. I enjoyed every single page of this book and I cannot wait to reread it again and again.

I think the magic system is so unique and the worldbuilding is fantastic. You can't help but care for all the characters and wish nothing but the best for them. I loved it all. I'm so glad Schwab decided to return to this world because I really do think it's something completely special