The Fragile Threads of Power is an excellent addition to this series! I don't think you will need to read the original trilogy to enjoy this one, but I think you will want to once you finish this one.
I loved coming back to this world and seeing not only all of my favorite characters from the first trilogy but meeting some interesting new characters that I have a feeling are going to play a large part in the upcoming books, and I can't wait to see what their rolls are going to be!

We get plenty of action, magic, twist and turns, and anything else you could possibly want in a story, it sucked me in from the first page, and was so sad once I reached the end that it was over. This is an amazing world and I can't wait to see where the story is going to go, and whats going to happen next!!

For those who still believe in magic

With The Fragile Threads of Power VE Schwab welcomes readers home to the Shades of Magic world. The start of a new spinoff series to A Darker Shade of Magic, The Fragile Threads of Power expands the scope of the original trilogy to explore themes of power, control, love, and leadership. I admit that I was nervous to return to a world that I love so much, but The Fragile Threads of Power absolutely exceeded my expectations.

The Fragile Threads of Power features both new and old characters leading to a compelling mix of nostalgia and intrigue. I was pleasantly surprised by how prevalent the old characters were in the story. Though they remain the characters we love, you can also feel how the passage of time has changed them. They have grown and matured and their relationships felt much richer and more complex. I was particularly obsessed with any scene that involved Kell and/or Lila. It made me so emotional to see how far these characters have come since we last saw them in A Conjuring of Light.

In my opinion, The Fragile Threads of Power excels as a transition point between the Shades of Magic and the Threads of Power trilogies. Kell, Lila, Rhy, and Alucard provide a sense of familiarity and excitement as readers readjust to the world. As the story progresses, the new characters begin to take a more prominent role drawing the reader in with their unique personalities and interesting backstories. As Schwab wraps up plot threads for the Shades of Magic characters she introduces future directions for the new characters. Though I doubt we are done with the Shades of Magic characters, The Fragile Threads of Power feels like the point where the old characters hand over the reigns to the new cast. I am very excited to see more from Tes and Kosika and to hopefully learn more about some of the mysterious side characters.

One of my favorite parts of this new installment is the expansion of the world-building and the magic. The title The Fragile Threads of Power fits in so many ways as the story explores power and leadership in various Londons as well as the nature and limitations of magic. I was so excited to be able to explore more areas outside of Arnes and Red London.

VE Schwab’s writing is—as always—immaculate and you can feel how much they have grown as an author in recent years. I truly think this was the perfect way to introduce a spin-off series. There are plenty of moments between the original characters to have you freaking out. And yet there is lots of new stuff to discover as well. I could not be happier to be back in the Shades of Magic world and I cannot wait to see how the adventure continues in the next book.

Can you read TFTOP without reading the Shades of Magic Trilogy? No. I mean you technically can. But you shouldn't. I just don't see how you could possibly get the intended impact of The Fragile Threads of Power without having read the original series.

This was a great reintroduction into the Shades of Magic world, starting off strong with this compelling start to a new trilogy. I found myself transported to the first time I read the Shade of Magic, and was pleasantly surprised by how much the characters from the first trilogy are involved in this new story. I really enjoyed the story overall and I’m excited for it to continue, new characters with special abilities and backgrounds are just another way that V.E. Schwab has made this universe grow.

V.E. Schwab’s writing is absolutely beautiful. Her world building is always amazing. It’s hard to review The Fragile Threads of Power with out spoiling the Shades of Magic trilogy. I loved returning to Red London and to our beloved characters. I especially enjoyed reading about Tess and her magic . Tess is able to see the threads of power. Overall, I loved this book. I still enjoyed the magic system and I can’t wait for book two. Thank you NetGalley for this amazing opportunity. I love the new cover designs and I will be definitely be purchasing a physically copy.

I almost gave up on this one in the beginning. It was a bit slow to start and a whole lot of confusing with the timeline changes. It was so worth the wait though. Eventually the flow evens out and the story gets really good. I like the magic system and the characters are well thought out and dynamic. I will be looking for the sequal!

Thank you Tor Books and NetGalley for an ARC of The Fragile Threads of Power!

I have been a fan of VE Schwab since I read the Invisible Life of Addie La Rue. While this book was gripping, well written, and overall a magical ride, it was a bit too heavy on the fantasy for my personal tastes.

Fans of magic, high fantasy, and SciFi will love this one, but it was unfortunately not for me.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab was probably one of the best books I've read this year and I'm so thankful to have had an opportunity to read an ARC, so thank you NetGalley and Tor.

I'm so glad to be back in this world and that we get to see some of my favorite characters. I think Schwab did a fantastic job of integrating new and beloved characters into the story and making it an entirely new thing. I enjoyed every single page of this book and I cannot wait to reread it again and again.

I think the magic system is so unique and the worldbuilding is fantastic. You can't help but care for all the characters and wish nothing but the best for them. I loved it all. I'm so glad Schwab decided to return to this world because I really do think it's something completely special

This was exactly what I needed from this book!
The mixing of old and new characters was perfect and seamless. The pacing was balanced just right between world building, character development and action. I feel VE Schwabs writing has gotten even better. The descriptions and details were beautifully written. I loved the deeper exploration of magic and the worlds. It added even more to an already well developed and intricate world. I loved this and can't wait for the next one!

💛💙❤️ The Fragile Threads of Power ARC Review ❤️💙💛

Thank you so much to VE Schwab and Tor Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

The Fragile Threads of Power is a fantasy adventure and book one in the Threads of Power series. This book takes place in the Shades of Magic universe and starts 7 years after the ending of A Conjuring of Light. The doors between worlds have been closed and the magical kingdoms are separated. But a young magician with a unique ability might be able to reunite them all

This book was an absolutely amazing read!! First of all, I absolutely loved seeing the return of all my favorite characters from the Shades of Magic series - Lila, Alucard, Rhy and of course Kell! It felt like a new story and an extended epilogue at the same time! Seven years has brought a lot to these characters and it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows - some aspects in their lives were so hard to read but I loved their continued presence and growth

Outside of old friends, the new characters were just as engaging! Tes is an intriguing character and I loved what she brought to this world. The world building continued to expand the world of the Shades of Magic and I loved everything about this book!

If you couldn’t tell already, this was a five star read for me! I loved returning to this world and characters that I love so much, while also meeting new ones! This book also had some romance but no on page smut so one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of beautiful magic systems, beautifully broken characters and all the found family vibes, then absolutely pick up this series. Even though this is a separate series and can technically be read independently, I’d absolutely recommend reading the Shades of Magic trilogy first as there’s quite a bit of overlap.

Please note: Review will be posted to Amazon upon publication

Quite possibly one of the best books I’ve read all year. I really liked Schwab’s Shades of Magic trilogy. But Threads of Power? I LOVE IT. Schwab’s masterful writing style, character development, and intricate plotting never ceases to amaze me.

Now if you haven’t read Shades of Magic yet, it’s kind of a non-negotiable and you should definitely read those first. This trilogy follows the same characters, with the addition of a couple new rockstars, and takes place 7 years after the events of A Conjuring of Light. We get a lot of flashbacks over what’s been going on during that time but it won’t give a new reader enough context to truly enjoy and get the most out of this story.

Usually the first book in a series has a slow start while it sets up much needed worldbuilding but since we’re going back to an already established world, this jumps straight to action. Not once was I ever bored. It was nice being able to see how our old faves are doing but oh my goodness, the new characters are FANTASTIC. We have Kosika, the child Antari Queen of Gray London; Nadiya, Queen of Red London; Ren, princess and daughter of Rhys; and Tes, a powerful teenager who can see and manipulate the threads of magic. I loved them all (gUrl pow3r) but Nadiya literally stole every scene she was in. I don’t know if it’s because I’m science minded but I really related to her.

This book alone was great and satisfying, but it also really set up the plot for an amazing trilogy and I cannot wait for the next book. If you’ve already read and loved Shades of Magic, read this!! If you haven’t gotten to the first trilogy yet, what are you waiting for? Highly, highly recommend to all my fantasy lovers out there. You will not be disappointed.

Everything I wanted this book to be and more. After such a long wait for an eagerly anticipated return to the universe, Schwab doesn't disappoint. There's so much to love about our old friends, and I find myself massively fascinated by our new ones. Something tells me my heart isn't ready to handle what's to come just yet.

I really wish I could put into words how lovely reading this was - coming back to this universe was so refreshing. I read the first trilogy when I was 17 and now I'm 22 reading this one and I just really can't conceptualize how much I loved it. I cried (unsurprisingly, VE Schwab is good with their consistency on making me cry). Because it's been a while, I don't remember the specifics from the previous books, but stepping back into the world I didn't find myself lost. You'll probably appreciate the book a bit more with the background of the Shades of Magic trilogy, but I think it's still pretty accessible for newer fans.
tldr: v.e. schwab, you've done it again

You know me…. I don’t read synopsis very often. I read them even less when it’s an author I know I love. That was the case here. Imagine my surprise when I started reading and realized I am back in the world of magic (Schwabs Shades of Magic series). I was oh so happy to see what the characters I grew to love were up to after reading the series earlier this year.

The whole crew is back in this one Kell, Lila, Rhys and Alucard. Plus some others and a few new ones. The story gives the reader a glimpse into what happened between the time the last book ended and now. I would say there is a fair amount of story building happening which made this one a bit on the slow side but will make for some really good storytelling in the future books.

What I loved most about this book was that I didn't feel lost even though it had been awhile since I read the Shades of Magic series. This can happen to me sometimes in fantasy books. I would even argue that you don’t need to read the other series to know what's going on in this one. The author does a great job of explaining the gist of the magical world.

I really can't wait until the next book but I have a feeling I will be waiting awhile.

When I was approved for this book on Netgalley, I was both thrilled and nervous. Would it hold up to the Shades of Magic trilogy, one of my favorite series of all time? Would I get to meet my favorite characters again? Would the long wait between Shades and Threads have dampened the magic of the worlds that Schwab created?

Well, it took me a little bit to read this one, but mostly because it was so damn GOOD that I kept having to put it down so it wouldn’t end. The characters - both old, and new! - were rich,intriguing, terrifying, and wonderful. The worlds - all three (four?) of them - were just as I remembered. The magic, though changed, was as complex as before. And the way this book was written - going between characters, time periods, and worlds - was so fun, and made the book even more difficult to put down. I loved meeting the new characters, revisiting old ones, seeing how the worlds had changed, learning more about Antari magic … and of course, getting absolutely wrecked by that cliffhanger at the end (damn you, Schwab)!

Super grateful that I had the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Publishing September 26, 2023.

If you loved the Shades of Magic series, you’re going to be so happy. If you’ve read her other work, or are V.E. Schwab curious, or see it all over Bookstagram this fall and want to jump in—this is a good place to do it.

So good! V.E. Schwab kills it with her plot crafting and beautiful writing, once again. Obsessed with this world, these characters, the power system, the setting, the atmosphere. A read that truly transports you.

It is *incredible* to be back in the Londons.

One of my absolute favorite fantasy series is back - we pick up seven years down the road in Red London with the Antari. How is the King Rhy adjusting to his power? Has the city been to forget the atrocities it witnessed? And what is this red hand plastered everywhere??

In White London Holland is gone and in his place a new Queen has been crowned, Kosika. Can she restore White London to its glory days?

But my favorite new character of all is Tes, the tinkerer who has uncanny abilities with magic but continues to find herself in less then appealing situations.

This is technically a new series but please do yourself a favor and read Shades of Magic first (the trilogy) this will be tricky to follow if you don’t and you will miss out on SO much of what I love about these characters - especially Delilah Bard.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once broken, soon repaired...

Fall back into the world of ADSOM with TFTOP, it is the perfect bridge between the two series. Threads introduces us to a new cast of characters as well as reprises some old dear ones.

Set seven years after the events of ADSOM, our OG main characters have had a lot of growth. I love how they all developed but still stayed the same at their core. Tes is a fantastic new main character, her hesitance to be known and her fears lead her to make some really interesting choices that might not be classically "main character" but that made her all the more intriguing to me. Also, Kay was a little dramatic and made me chuckle but then he would do something really hot, like murder, and it made his flare for drama okay.

As with all Schwab books, this has a slow start PLEASE just bear with it. I personally LOVE their slow builds because it gives me time to really sit in this world that I adore and get to know the characters well before they're really thrown into everything. There are a lot of flashbacks to the events of the past seven years that I think created a really clear picture of why the characters have become the way they are. And the ending...the end will have you reeling, that's all I'm gonna say..

There were a couple moments that I thought seemed a little thematically repetitive but I liked the new twists they had. But honestly its Schwab's world, the fact that we got to see any more of it is enough for me. I am really just along for the ride.

I do fully recommend reading the OG series first, I don't think this can stand as a "companion" series. It is truly a sequel series.

I am sat for the rest of this trilogy and will be LOSING MY MIND until I can find out what happens next!

I am a huge fan of V.E. Schwab and could not wait for this book! It is a return to the world of her Darker Shade of Magic trilogy and if you are a little worried that the characters we loved from that series would not appear or would just be a quick cameo. I am here to put your heart at rest. Although we also have new characters, our ADSOM favorites are very much in the quick of it all here again. Schwab knows how to not only drive a plot but also fully flesh out her characters. Schwab fans will not be disappointed in this one!

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley! I almost cried when I got the email inviting me to read it, thank you!!!

I'm waiting for the perfect time to crack into this because it will undoubtedly kill me

***

It did kill me. I don't know how I come back from this.

It was so exciting to be able to immerse myself in this world again--I missed it and the characters and the magic SO much. It was such a delight to get to read about my old favs and see what's developed and how since the original trilogy. I loved swashbuckling Kell but he's SO corny. I love him so so much.

I really liked our newest introductions, Tes and Kosika, and watching how they unfolded chapter by chapter. I'm so intrigued to see where the story takes them throughout this new trilogy! Getting to spend time in White London was a treat, seeing how differently it operates from the Red London that we're so intimate with was interesting and I'm eager to see how the little queen grows into her character.

We all know Ms. Schwab is absolutely evil about her endings and this is no different--it's not even really a cliffhanger, but the story is preparing to branch in so many directions it still feels like. How could you do that to us. I need to keep going.

I loved this. I'm so honored that I got to read it early!