Victoria E. Schwab’s A Gathering of Shadows invites readers to slip once more between the worlds — from the flourishing Red London to the cursed White, and the mythic memory of Black London. Following the breathtaking pace of A Darker Shade of Magic, this second book in the Shades of Magic trilogy shifts gear, trading frantic urgency for a more character-driven tale. The result is a sophisticated fantasy that shines brightest in its moments of introspection, and flickers only slightly under the weight of anticipation.
Recap: Where We Left Off
Before plunging into the elemental duels and emotional storms of A Gathering of Shadows, a quick recollection:
- In A Darker Shade of Magic, we met Kell, the Antari magician of Red London who could travel between parallel Londons. He smuggled a dangerous obsidian stone from Black London, inadvertently drawing Delilah Bard, a daring thief from Grey London, into his world.
- Together, they confronted the cruel Dane twins of White London and defeated the corrupted magic infecting the realms. But victory came with a price: Holland, the other Antari, was cast into the void of Black London — along with the powerful stone.
Now, four months have passed. Kell bears the guilt of Prince Rhy’s wound, Lila has vanished into the open seas, and a storm—both magical and political—is brewing.
Plot Summary: Of Games and Gathering Shadows
Unlike the urgent, globe-threatening conflict of its predecessor, A Gathering of Shadows paces itself as a story of transitions:
- Lila Bard, ever hungry for more than Grey London could offer, has become a pirate (excuse me, “privateer”) aboard the Night Spire, helmed by the flamboyant and enigmatic Captain Alucard Emery. She’s sharpening her magical abilities in secret, desperate to carve her place in a world that often sees her as a curiosity—or a threat.
- Kell, meanwhile, is shackled by the royal family of Red London, figuratively and literally. His freedom is restricted, his bond to Prince Rhy stronger than ever, and the weight of his Antari status becoming a burden.
- In the background, the Element Games—or Essen Tasch, a magical tournament between neighboring empires—draws fighters from across the Arnesian Empire. When both Kell (disguised as a masked contender) and Lila enter the arena, unaware of each other’s identities, tensions sizzle with anticipation.
- But shadows loom: in White London, something long buried stirs. Holland, presumed dead, walks again—this time bonded with a darker, more insidious force.
Character Spotlight: The Triumvirate of Tension
Delilah Bard
Lila remains one of Schwab’s most thrilling inventions. She’s gutsy, brash, and reckless—but she’s also evolving. In this installment, we see her teetering on the edge between ambition and self-destruction. Her attempts at mastering magic feel authentic: full of missteps, improvisation, and dogged resilience. She wants power, not for glory, but for autonomy.
Kell Maresh
Kell is the emotional core of the novel. We feel his isolation, his bottled rage, and his complicated love for Rhy. He no longer knows who he is—an Antari, a brother, a prisoner, or a weapon of the crown? His chapters pulse with inner turmoil, making his masked tournament persona (“Kamerov Loste”) a metaphorical escape as much as a physical one.
Rhy Maresh
Rhy, once carefree and spoiled, now bears the mental and magical scars of his near-death experience. His vulnerability deepens his character, particularly in his relationship with Kell. The bond between them—magically forged and emotionally fragile—is one of the novel’s most affecting threads.
Alucard Emery
A dazzling new addition, Alucard is as witty as he is mysterious. Beneath his charm lies tragedy, making him more than just comic relief or a romantic foil. His shared history with Rhy, hinted at and later revealed, adds both tension and tenderness.
Themes and Underpinnings: The Masks We Wear
Schwab’s prose in A Gathering of Shadows is lush and lyrical, often reflecting the characters’ dualities:
- Masks and Identity: From Kell’s arena disguise to Lila’s literal masquerades, the novel is obsessed with hidden selves. What do we reveal to the world, and what do we conceal? Schwab asks this without ever offering easy answers.
- Freedom vs. Control: Lila seeks unshackled adventure; Kell is imprisoned by royal decree; Rhy is haunted by the cost of survival. Their arcs revolve around autonomy—and the sacrifices it demands.
- Balance of Power: The book reinforces the recurring idea that power without control is chaos. As magic itself becomes more volatile, this theme gains urgency.
- Resentment and Guilt: Particularly between Kell and Rhy, where love and resentment co-exist. Schwab’s exploration of sibling (or adoptive sibling) dynamics is sharp and poignant.
The Essen Tasch: A Spectacle That Smolders, Then Simmers
The Element Games serve as the novel’s centerpiece—an international magical Olympics with high stakes and royal eyes. But while they dazzle visually (with elemental magic battles, fire-blasting showdowns, and cunning tactics), their role is more symbolic than pivotal. They reflect the characters’ inner conflicts and are used less as a climax than a mirror.
Readers seeking explosive plot twists may find the tournament’s resolution somewhat underwhelming. The real explosion comes afterward—literally and metaphorically—as the narrative builds toward a final, shadowy confrontation that sets the stage for A Conjuring of Light.
Strengths: Why It’s a Worthy Sequel
- World-Building: Schwab’s alternate Londons continue to shine—each city vividly rendered, layered with culture, magic, and tension.
- Character Development: Every major character deepens. Even minor characters are given space to breathe.
- Lyrical Writing Style: Schwab’s language has rhythm, restraint, and poetry. She balances introspection with vivid action.
Where It Falters: The Shadows of Pacing
No book is without its cracks, and for all its beauty, A Gathering of Shadows occasionally stumbles:
- Pacing Issues: The novel takes its time. Some may find the buildup too slow—particularly in the first half, which spends a great deal of time aboard ships and in royal chambers.
- Deferred Tension: The real antagonist remains in the shadows until late in the novel, which makes the rising dread feel less urgent. The cliffhanger ending, while effective, may frustrate those hoping for more closure.
- Tournament Underutilization: The Essen Tasch is fun, but it doesn’t escalate into the explosive event readers might expect. It ends up feeling more like a side quest than a driving narrative force.
Schwab’s Signature: A Word on Style and Subtext
Victoria Schwab has always blended fantasy with philosophical undercurrents. In A Gathering of Shadows, her style evolves. Her sentences feel tighter, more deliberate. There’s a maturity here that echoes her previous work (Vicious, This Savage Song), but this series in particular demonstrates her mastery of layered world-building paired with deeply personal stakes.
Her writing flirts with historical fiction—especially in the courtly customs, pirate politics, and magical duels—but never feels bogged down by exposition. She invites readers to immerse, not analyze.
Similar Reads & Author’s Other Works
If A Gathering of Shadows captivated you, you might enjoy:
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (for multilayered world-building)
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (for high-stakes character dynamics)
- Vicious and Vengeful by V.E. Schwab herself (for morally gray characters and superhuman abilities)
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (Schwab’s lyrical standalone novel of immortality and memory)
Final Verdict: A Slow-Burning, Character-Driven Triumph
A Gathering of Shadows is less about saving the world and more about understanding the people who might. It deepens the characters we’ve come to love, expands the world we’re invested in, and dares to end on a haunting cliffhanger that all but guarantees readers will reach for A Conjuring of Light.
This is not a book in a hurry. It lingers—over character choices, over shadows gathering in the distance, over the quiet tragedy of power without peace. And for readers who crave character-first fantasy wrapped in lyrical prose, Schwab delivers a sequel that enchants, provokes, and prepares us for something truly epic.
Wrapping It Up: Should You Read It?
Yes, if you…
- Loved A Darker Shade of Magic and are invested in Kell and Lila’s fates.
- Enjoy slow-burn fantasy rich with internal conflict.
- Appreciate stories that focus on relationships, identity, and the quiet cost of power.
Maybe not, if you…
- Prefer fast-paced fantasy driven primarily by plot.
- Dislike cliffhangers or slow setups.
But if you’re willing to trust in Schwab’s careful orchestration, A Gathering of Shadows proves to be the crucial middle act of a trilogy that’s fast becoming a modern fantasy classic.