Some authors have a hard time finding the same stride when returning to an old series, but Schwab's The Fragile Threads of Power does not suffer the same fate as many. This book felt a wonderful balance between meeting new and engaging characters that add well to the plot and revisiting old, familiar characters from the original trilogy. Never once did I wish to return back to the familiar, as I am often to feel when an author revisits an old work. Schwab does an amazing job writing characters that breathe off the page. Even the inconsequential characters, who only have a small chapter before we never see them again evoke emotion from readers. Or at least this reader! Could not recommend this book more, especially to old and new readers alike!

Thank you for this arc.


I LOVE THIS BOOK-THIS UNIVERSE.

I can’t even form normal thoughts at this moment other than I love it so much.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 9/26

The Fragile Threads of Power was my most anticipated read this year, and I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint. This masterpiece comes out tomorrow, and I’m so excited for everyone who loves The Shades of Magic series to get their hands on it.

This book takes place seven years after A Conjuring of Light, and we get to see what all of our favorite characters have been up to. Kell is just as wonderful, and his tender moments with Lilah made me swoon. Lilah is still a total badass, and the Rhy/Alucard storyline lived up to my hopeful expectations. A lot has changed in seven years, and seeing how each of my favorite characters has grown was really special.

There are quite a few new characters and storylines to follow, along with additions to the magic system and the four Londons. You can expect incredible banter, heartbreaking angst, gooey love interests, new enemies (and some old ones), and expanded world-building in this new installment. I’m keeping the details vague on purpose so I don’t spoil anything for anyone!

As always, Schwab’s writing is incredible, and the fast pace and immaculate prose kept me captivated the whole way through. I never wanted to put this down and read it way too quickly. I cannot wait to see what happens next, and I am on pins and needles waiting for the next installment.

Thank you so much to Tor Publishing and VE Schwab for my advanced copy. It made my year, and I’m so excited to get my physical copy when it comes out! For BOTM subscribers, The Fragile Threads of Power is an add-on for October, which is where my copy is going to come from.

okay wow!!! this one took me forever to get through - it really had no business being 600+ pages 😧

it started off super slow and confusing (as all fantasy novels tend to be), but seeing as how I binged the darker shades of magic series earlier this month, the world building and characters came back to me pretty easily. if not, I would definitely refresh because there’s no recap 😬 I think for me, the jarring time jump combined with all new characters for the first 20% of the story really didn’t capture my interest

however, once the old and new characters started blending together, I definitely found my groove again and relished in ve schwab’s excellent storytelling writing! 😇 all of the faves are back and living their (best? worst?) lives seven years later - and I have to admit, it made me a little sad seeing them all grown up 🥲

nonetheless, newcomer tes is a force to be reckoned with and I’m obsessed with her!!! she’s smart and witty without being over the top like lila constantly is … I said what I said …

while the story definitely took a while to get moving (I really meant it when I said it was glacier slow), knowing that this is going to be a trilogy helps to pace accordingly. the action and adventures weren’t as hard hitting as the original three books, but I have a feeling shit is about to hit the fan in the next installments!!!

I still prefer the original series to this one, but it was so good to be back in this world! thank you to netgalley and tor books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: morocco spiced red wine

I love this author so much. Schwab writes such interesting fantasy concepts and endearing multifaceted characters. I would definitely recommend this for any fantasy lover. I did not realize it was linked to the Shades of Magic trilogy, and now have a goal to read that!

I loved the Shades of Magic trilogy so much, it is one of my favourite fantasy series of all time. So I was VERY excited when I heard V.E. Schwab was writing a new book in the same universe that follows the same cast of characters and takes place 7 years after the original trilogy. I had such high expectations but V.E. Schwab delivered. The Fragile Threads of Power gave me everything I wanted and more!

I loved catching up with my favourite characters, especially Kell and Lila. I loved how V.E. Schwab managed to take this already skillfully crafted universe and expand on it in a way that made it even better. And I loved the new characters that were introduced in this book that added so much to the plot, specifically Tes. I loved every single moment of this book and I can’t wait for book 2!

If you’re interested in reading The Fragile Threads of Power, I strongly recommend reading the Shades of Magic trilogy first. You won’t get the intended experience or have a complete understanding of the characters without reading the original trilogy first in my opinion.

Thank you so much Tor Books and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book, it is one of my favourite reads this year!

Picking up Fragile Threads of Power is like jumping into the deep end of a pool. You are immediately and fully enveloped in the atmospheric world Schwab has built throughout her series'. She never flags on world building or character development nor does she rely on the reader to bring knowledge of the prior books to understand the world and stakes of this book. 

It has been quite sometime since I have read A Darker Shade of Magic and was worried I may not be able to track some aspects of the story, but I never found that to be true. Schwab strikes the perfect balance of recapping and rebuilding the world without condescending to the reader. She revisits old favorite characters and builds complete new, and realistically imperfect people.

If you enjoy the feeling of reading by flickering candle light while wrapped in a cozy blanket while the wind howls outside in a storm, you will enjoy the feeling of this book. It is a darkly compelling tale with a complete and well developed system of magic that draws the reader in and leaves them in suspense. A word of caution- be prepared to agonize until the release of the second book in the trilogy.

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!