This trilogy's first book reminds me of Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy in all the best ways. Mainly the dark, brooding, magical London vibes, but also the characters. I really like how Kell feels like an enigma until we're in some sort of fight scene or scenario where the forbidden Black London stone is trying to influence him and his own magic. I feel like the combat scenes really shine in this book, and not only describe blocking well, but showcase the manifold ways magic manifests itself in this version of a world with alternate Londons, named by Kell for their colorings as a result of the magic (or lack thereof) and its power. Truly, a round of applause for the creativity of such an idea on Schwab's part. I think it's just so cool. And each London felt like it got its time to shine, to take up some of the slower parts of the narrative to be atmospheric and paint a picture for readers to understand more about how it functions as a part of a much larger whole.
As for Lila, I think she's badass. Specifically because I think she's a great and balanced strong female character by what could be considered a standard definition of a female character capable of exhibiting  traits associated with strength that aren't entirely dependent on stereotypes of strictly physical power. She knows how to brandish a gun, stab a knife, acquire and promptly blow up a pirate ship, and fend for herself on less than welcoming streets. But she also manages to use her cunning and experience on said streets to save Kell and herself on more than one occasion. They make a fun, dynamic team, one that kept me wondering what they'd get into next, and how they'd feel about each other once the dust settled and the chaos passed.
I also appreciated how the political side of this novel's plot was easy to follow, considering it had most everything to do with one measly stone and a pair of rulers from one of the most desolate versions of London. Leaving the overlapping travel between dimensions to a select few with rare magic certainly does sound like the way to keep things neat and tidy. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series, seeing as there's certainly a promise of more story and complications to come.



Some of my favorite quotes from A Darker Shade of Magic:

"'I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.'
'I apologize for shooting you in the leg.' said Lila. 'I was myself entirely.'" (her one liners are killer)

"Hesitation is the death of advantage."

"You know so little of war. Battles may be fought from the outside in, but wars are won from the inside out."

"He would see her again. He knew he would. Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time they were places. But sometimes, rarely, they were people. For someone who never stood still, Lila felt like a pin in Kell's world. One he was sure to snag on."

"'What are you?' she asked.
'A monster,' said Kell hoarsely. 'You'd better let me go.'
The girl gave a small, mocking laugh. 'Monsters don't faint in the presence of ladies.'
'Ladies don't dress like men and pick pockets,' retorted Kell.
Her smile only sharpened. 'What are you really?'
'Tied to your bed,' said Kell matter-of-factly.
'And?'
His brow furrowed. 'And in trouble.'"

This entry doubles as a book review and direct letter to my dear friend Emma, the lovely poet of this amazing collection. <3
Hi, Emma! So, wow, these poems are kinda the coolest. The way your mind works around and with scripture and the "could bes" and "should bes" of understanding aspects of the Old Testament and its figures really astounds me. I think you've given such beautiful attention to the men and women whose names are more recognizable both inside and outside of Christian traditions as well as those who are less popular, or completely nameless. Each of these figures, after all, were once just people in their own right, hearing the voice of God willingly or inadvertently, unable to presume the affects (or echoes) their voices would have years and years to come in scripture itself as well as collections like this one. I absolutely adored being able to see you in between these words, too. I caught glimpses of conversations we had both about your writing and the presence and spirit of the Lord, about how the effect of words and prophecy shout, whisper, and come in many forms. You put such thought into the structure of the book itself, basing its cycle on the Talmud as you did. I also think there's something to be said about examining and including the voices and experiences of both men and women alike; the feminist agenda does not seek to exclude men, but rather seeks to see how equality can really exist among literally everyone. That truth shines alongside your visceral, exact prose, and makes the contrast between the more ancient and more modern settings within different poems even starker. Thank you for writing these gems, Emma, and sharing them with the world.


​
My favorite poems in this collection: "A prophet never folds," "Moses, Between the Before and After," "The plans for you," "Elijah assures Adam and Eve that they will leave hell soon," "God of Sarah," "Say it again: sons and daughters," "The river is not divided," "Gomer never wanted a picket fence," "Hosea always wanted a love story" (my absolute fave), and "Fruit trees for the fearful."

I'm pretty sure this is the third and final book in this series I adore so so much, but too much of a good thing can very quickly become a bad thing. This book ends in a place that seems like a quiet sort of goodbye to me. Nothing big or extravagant, but rather soft and full of promise for what Emily and Wendell's life will look like after the many series of unfortunate events they had to endure in this book.
I really really liked this conclusion, which came as no surprise to me! I sincerely don't think there's another cozy fantasy series out there right now doing it quite like this one, though I'm not super well versed in the variety of cozy fantasies on the market right now. That being said, I continue to marvel at the ingenuity of these novels' being told in the form of Emily's journal entries. The overarching story and mythical intrigue of Faerie as viewed through Emily's scholarly eyes feels at once charming, academic, and raw, since time and time again Emily reminds readers that she's just a curious human who's been swept up within the supernatural through her connection to and love for Wendell. I consider myself to be a journaler, but I am nowhere near Emily's caliber.
​I really liked how this third installment satisfied the momentum of the two to come before it: first with Emily's slow realization of who Wendell truly is (and has become to her), secondly paired with their eventual search for his lost realm and throne. In this book, the realm has been found! But---oh no! Wendell's evil stepmother refuses to allow him to regain his rightful throne without a fight, and curses the entire realm with a clever set of tricks. The stakes felt truly high in this book despite the sometimes slower pace of certain journal entries, since Emily's ability to track the patterns of a certain Fae story builds plenty of suspense concerning how her and Wendell's story may end, or if there are any loopholes to be found. I continue to adore Emily and Wendell's romance as well, expressed as it is mainly through sometimes cheeky, sometimes incredibly moving and swoony dialogue. If a Fae king wanted to whisk me away to his kingdom after falling in love with my socially awkward, book-inclined self, how could I refuse? :) I'm hoping Fawcett may write some fun novellas or spin off tales with these delightful characters someday, but I'm grateful for the lovely gift these three books are.



Some of my favorite quotes from Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales:

"... as always, writing helps. Sometimes I feel it is the only thing that prevents me from coming apart."

"I know your heart by now, Em; it is not all stone and pencil shavings, as you are wont to pretend."