*Review copied directly from Goodreads*

*4.5 rounded up*

It's been 6 years since reading the last Darker Shades book and OUF I did not realise how much I missed this world and these characters. I know this is <i>technically</i> the first Threads of Power but there's no way in hell you can just pick this up without reading the first three books so we're calling this book 4 and it was so good.

In every post Schwab makes about this book it's all "why did I write such a long book??", but honestly, it flew by. I could have done 200 more pages with ease.

This book picks up 7 years after the end of book 3. There are 2 new main characters, Tes and Kosika. I wish there was more to Kosika but maybe I'm just more attached to Tes <spoiler>plus she's so woven into the red London story</spoiler> so to me it feels like she's written better. While Schwab does a fantastic job of filling in the 7 year gap, it was mainly through the eyes of Lila, Kell and Alucard. I just wanted a bit more of Rhy. But honestly, what's Schwab gonna do, write an 800 page book? She's clearly already so stressed about the 600+ pages that already exist.

My only "why was this so obvious" moment was <spoiler>Ezril, the new Aven Essen, being the head of the Hand. I think the amount of distrust expressed by the other characters in the writing about her made it so obvious that she was the masked woman at the table with Barras Emry who had the trust of the king. I don't know how this could have been solved but I wish it was more of a surprise at the end</spoiler>. Anyhow that's to be discussed with my pals when they get to read this book.

The .5 was knocked off cause of this^ and <spoiler>Kell's weird Kay alter ego that makes Lila oh so horny</spoiler>. Just gave me the biggest ick.

Reading "The Fragile Threads of Power" felt like coming home. V. E. Schwab once again invites readers into a dazzling world of magic and adventure and I loved every second!

Starting the book, I was afraid I wouldn’t like the new characters as much as the old ones, but I’m happy to say that they are amazing, especially Tess.

Schwab's skillful prose transports readers effortlessly into this enchanting and treacherous universe. Her ability to create vivid worlds and craft complex characters shines through, keeping readers captivated from start to finish. The blend of action, political intrigue, and magical elements weaves a rich narrative tapestry that leaves you hungry for more.

"The Fragile Threads of Power" serves as a promising opening to this new series, setting the stage for new epic adventures. With its seamless blend of familiar faces and fresh perspectives, this book is a treat for fans of Schwab's previous works and newcomers alike. Prepare to lose yourself in a world where power hangs by a delicate thread, and the fate of multiple realms rests on the shoulders of a remarkable young girl.

Omgggggggggggg YES!!!! Huge shout out to NetGalley for an eGalley of this FABULOUS novel! This is the first of 3 novels in the sister series to Darker Shades of Magic. It picks up 7 years after the close of the previous series, but often flips back through time to fill in the gaps. There are two new main characters but the rest of the cast is familiar. Personally I feel like this is a continuation of the previous series, versus its own series- I would definitely read Shades of Magic first. Schwab just keeps outdoing herself- I don't know how I'll be able to wait for the next two!!! If you've read Shades of Magic, this is a must read... if you haven't, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! and then pick up this one when it comes out in September!

The aspect of V.E. Schwab that always manages to impress me is how she is able to capture the audience's attention with her writing. It may be a long book, but Schwab has such beautifully complex characters and engaging prose.

It's very exciting to see many of these characters again and also the new characters, like Tes, are good additions to the story. Honestly, Tes' sections were some of my favorite in the book and I wish we had some more of her.

4.5 stars 🥰
Ahhh it felt so good to return to this world, one of my favorites. We have our familiar cast of characters that have grown in different ways. Some new skills, some honed to an even finer point, and my love for all of them continues to increase… well most all of them. Lila continues to arguably remain my favorite character, but we have a new character Tes, who steals your heart! Facing all new challenges and some new adventures I can’t wait to see what else V.E. Schwab has in store for them and all of the Londons.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for a chance to read this advanced readers copy.

I am 100% sure I couldn't have loved this book anymore than I did.

It was so amazing to be back in Schwab's ADSOM world with some of my absolute favorite characters and yet brand new ones to get to know as well.

I will recommend this series to anyone who ever speaks to me about books :)

Thank you for the early copy - can't wait to reread it over and over and over!

Buckle up, fellow readers, because we're about to embark on a breathtaking journey through the pages of V.E. Schwab's latest masterpiece, The Fragile Threads of Power. If you're a fan of the Dark Shades of Magic series, then hold onto your hats because this book will transport you to realms beyond imagination and leave you begging for more!

Now, let's address the elephant in the room—the length of this book. Don't fret, my friends, because not a single moment will you find yourself bored or disengaged. In fact, you'll be so enthralled that you'll willingly lose track of time, willingly surrendering to the captivating days and nights within these pages. It's the kind of book that makes you want to lock yourself away in a ship cabin, completely oblivious to the outside world. So, prepare to bid farewell to any distractions and surrender your full concentration to this enthralling tale.

In The Fragile Threads of Power, we reunite with familiar faces like Kell and Lila, who have spent years at sea, embracing the life of daring privateers. Kell, still coping with the aftermath of his sacrifice in Black London, takes on an alternative persona to enhance his combat skills. As we navigate the labyrinthine corridors of their complicated relationship, we witness the bond between Kell and his brother, King Rhy, grow stronger with each survival and attack they face together. And when an assassin threatens Rhy's life, both Lila and Kell find themselves drawn back to Red London, ready to protect their loved ones at all costs.

But that's not all! We're introduced to a remarkable new character, Tess, a gifted tinkerer with an extraordinary understanding of magical forces. Her ability to see and manipulate the threads of magic adds a fascinating layer to the story. And when a certain item of immense value enters the scene, obtained through great personal risk, the stakes skyrocket, unlocking doors that should have remained sealed.

I won't spoil the intricate details of the plot because that's for you to discover. Just know that this book is a wild ride filled with political shifts, dangerous alliances, and unexpected turns. And let's not forget the cliffhanger—it will leave you breathless, yearning for the next installment.

While the book was an absolute joy to read, I occasionally found myself longing for even more exploration of certain characters' backstories and motivations. I understand that in a tale of this magnitude, it's not easy to delve into every aspect, but a touch more depth in these areas would have added an extra layer of richness to an already incredible story.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend The Fragile Threads of Power to every fantasy lover out there. V.E. Schwab's skillful craftsmanship and the vivid world she has created will captivate you from beginning to end. Be prepared to have your expectations of fantasy literature forever altered, for this book is a true masterpiece that will leave you hungry for more.

I extend my deepest gratitude to NetGalley and the Tor Publishing Group/Tor Books for granting me the opportunity to experience and review this exceptional literary gem. Their generosity in providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts is truly appreciated.

Unusually, I did not finish this book, however it's still a 5-star read. It is advertised as being readable independently of the original series, and I think it suffers for this. The writing, worldbuilding, and character work are all amazing, but a lot of context is missing if you haven't read the original trilogy, and it's impossible to read this first without spoiling those books. A wonderful read, but one ought to read the Shades of Magic series beforehand.

I am once again in awe of Schwab's writing style. Her descriptive writing and the way her stories slowly unfold in front of you are just a couple of reasons why I will always pick up any book that V.E. Schwab writes. This story is the perfect way to return to the world we fell in love with in the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy! Having the comfort of familiar characters is nice, but I think I enjoyed being introduced to the new characters even more. This book is the perfect intro to this next trilogy and I can't wait for the story to continue in book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I decided to pick this up further from the release date because I had just finished the Shades of Magic trilogy and I wanted to stay in the world a little longer. I am SO glad I did because this book takes all of the elements that I loved from the first series and ramped them up.

Our favorite characters from the Shades series are still main characters in this one and we are introduced to some new members which are also just as amazing. I was still infuriated by Lila at times, but I actually admired the growth and change that we see from her. Kell is always one of my favorites so I was delighted to see how he grew as well.

The ending had me SCREAMING. I was honestly so surprised by it and didn’t have any idea that it was the direction VE Schwab was headed. But that’s the thing about them, Schwab is a MASTERFUL author and I think they will be someone that will be used as an example of great storytelling.

My only complaint (very small honestly) is that the flashbacks were a bit hard to follow at times. I think that could be from reading a digital copy so I’ll definitely compare when I get my physical copy in September.

All in all, this book was amazing. I can’t wait to own a physical copy and I’m now so sad that I will have to wait a long time before reading the sequel.

Tossing me off a high rise would have let me down easier…
I’ll keep this brief:
I love V.E Schwab, so so much. I could read her chores list and be enamoured. But considering I’ve read books by her that have blown me away, and touched my heart, this one was disappointing. The original Shades Of Magic series was one of my first ventures into adult fantasy, and I still remember it being propulsive, fun, and full of life. The final book in the trilogy is still one of my favourite conclusions to a series. So suffice to say, going into this one I was expecting the same.
What I got was… not even close. It felt meandering, pointless, and overall, unsatisfying. I can understand why she would want to write more about this world. It’s very detailed, and full of possibilities, but it doesn’t feel like she was aware of how much she had to work with. All the new and exciting places she went were short lived, and all the new ideas too tied to one’s tread in the past books.
The one stand out in this book is Lila, she is obviously Schwabs baby girl, and she could write her snarky violence for the rest of her life. But as good as her characters are, it’s not enough to fill over 500 pages.
I’m not jumping to read the next one, but I probably will just to give this series another chance. Hopefully she’ll find the rhythm she carried before, and bring it back up to her own standards.

Though I love V.E. Schwab, I have not read A Darker Shade of Magic, which is her series sharing the same world with The Fragile Threads of Power. Without that background, Fragile Threads was still an incredibly engrossing punch of a book, inspiring me to add ADSOM to the top of my TBR.

I absolutely DEVOUR all things VE Schwab and this book was no exception. Note: This book is part of the Shades of Magic series so it is not a standalone novel.

Only the Antari have the power to open doorways to cross between the four worlds. That is until a mysterious magical artifact is stolen (and damaged in the process) ends up in the repair shop of a young girl named Tes. Tes has a special ability to see how magical things are broken and what to do to fix them. When the stolen artifact ends up in her shop and she discovers what it does, the entire fate of the worlds is at stake.

Great read and I loved that a few loose ends were tied up nicely.

As a huge fan of the original Darker Shade of Magic trilogy I was more than thrilled to get my hands on an arc of The Fragile Threads of Power through NetGalley.

When I first heard about this series I was excited but apprehensive. Well, I can safely say that The Fragile Threads of Power did not disappoint.

I gave this a strong 4 stars (4.5 where I could). The only reason it’s not a 5 star book for me is that I personally found it a little slow to start. I had the same experience with The Darker Shades trilogy, but just like the original trilogy it was well worth it. Really, it’s a lot of build up and world building That we NEED to make the rest of the book so impactful and intricately woven. It’s just not my favourite pacing.

But with that being said here are some of the things I loved about The Fragile Threads of Power:

1. The characters: the characters in this book - new and old - all hit the mark for me. The new cast are all interesting and distinct personalities with solid motivations and depth. We get to know them all so thoroughly that each chapter, regardless of the perspective, was enjoyable. I find many alternating POV books to have kind of a dud perspective but this really didn’t have that.

2. The relationships: while still not being the focus of the books, I love watching these relationships form and develop. The way these characters interacts is so entertaining to me. They all have such well versed personalities, and I love watching them clash and mesh.

3. The mystery and twists: this book kept me needing to know. Questions along the way made me want to keep reading. Each perspective had its own independent questions you want answered and there was the overarching question of how all these stories would come together

4. And finally: the wrapup. All the perspectives and separate stories were so expertly woven together. The transition between various stories and one collective story was so seamless and obviously very well thought out.

This, the the original Darker Shades books, is one of those stories that sticks with you long after the book ends.

Highly highly recommend!

Another KNOCKOUT read from Schwab! The new characters were refreshing, the old characters familiar and delightful. Fabulous plot, which left me with hunger for the next installment.

I really wanted to like this. It has the bones of a good story but it spends too much time flashing back to events that could be summed up in a paragraph or two. I’m sure that it’s saving some of the big past events that weren’t fleshed out in this story for the next one but I find that annoying. Nothing was really tied up in this story. It feels unfinished.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Years after Oseron was defeated the different Londons (Grey, Red, and White) try to repair the damage done by his expulsion. However, not everything is as it seems. One London is supposedly losing magic and another is regaining it. The question is, why?

In this story we follow the lives of Kel, Rye, Alucard, and Delilah, but also a new perspective of a tinkerer and a queen and maybe even someone thought long gone.

This story does a great job of subtly reminding you of what happened in the previous three books, while weaving in a continuing narrative. I always love Schwab’s world building! This book is fun, exciting, and keeps the reader engaged throughout the story.

If you like The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo or anything written by R. F. Kuang, you will love this series!

Shades of magic is one of my favourite series so I was absolutely thrilled to read the continuation of these character's stories as well as the new characters that have been introduced into this universe. While I was nervous at first to see how the author continued the story after ending the last trilogy so well, I was blown away at how well the story was developed in the continuation of the series. Through wonderfully written time jumps, the time gap between books is filled well and we can see the growth of these endearing characters over this time. Tes fits right in with the original four main characters and I love how their relationships continue to grow so dynamically even in this fourth book. Beautifully written and absolutely worth reading the Shades of Magic series for, I am already excited for the next one!

If you enjoyed Shades of Magic, you will enjoy this book. 3.75 is probably my accurate rating. It is a great continuation of previous characters that are so well loved. It adds new characters and manages to blend them together. It’s not just more of the same. There are bits that place it in the same world but it’s full of new things to keep it fresh.

The drawbacks for me are honestly the length and the exposition. It is incredibly long. I read books that are this long quite a bit but this felt way longer. There were some places where the exposition was a bit too inundating and heavy. You can tell it’s a great setup for the next books. As a whole I think this series will be amazing. But as an individual book it feels like I’m waiting for the rest to really be able to enjoy it.

ARC received from NetGalley.

I've been holding off on writing a review, because I just don't think my words will do it justice. So therefore, I am going to keep this short(ish) and sweet.
V.E. Schwab is a genius. The way Schwab weaves the story through seemingly unrelated points of view, all for them to come together perfectly at the end? Gosh this was a masterpiece. A coworker and I read this at the same time and honestly couldn't stop talking about it. There is so much, but also not enough.
This is perfect for new fans and old fans, the world is so magical and captivating that I don't know how anyone could be disappointed.

Thank you thank you Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books (I am forever indebted to you) and NetGalley for this arc.