get me to magic london asap

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.'"

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