The threads that connect V.E. Schwab’s books together are anything but fragile. She excels at the structure of magical world building, flawed and beguiling characters that get gummed up in the past and sometimes overcome it, plot points that cause a severe case of the shudders, and bifurcated but compellingly cohesive story lines and POVs. Happily, in Fragile Threads of Power, we return to the magical and non-magical worlds of the simultaneously existing white, red and grey Londons (with a brief side tour of the fourth, black London) after an absence of seven eventful years. Schwab is a confident enough writer to set considerable off page action during this time-the mercurial Lila Bard is living the dream and thriving as a ship’s captain with her lover, the self-contained, self-controlled Kell, whose magic has trickled to a stuttering stream. But an amazing discovery for a very endangered species, for in addition to Lila and Kell, there’s a new Antari in town, and she’s a tween, residing in white London where the martyred former Antari, Holland, has become the equivalent of a martyred saint, and maybe something more. New forms of magic, and magic wielders with the potential to change the power balance, steams up the complexity and tension of these overlapping worlds.

The dazzling displays of magical ferocity in incantation and battles is Schwab’s forte along with the serpentine twists and turns of the narrative. Among the many enticements, the richly imagined near inaccessible floating market is back, along with its indomitable ageless proprietor, Captain Maris Patrol. King Rhys Maresh, who has pledged his heart to former captain Alucard Emery, has made some status changes befitting his station, and now there are new royal members in the family line. In the Red Kingdom, Schwab has cleverly created echoes of the political turmoil in our own world, as a new movement begins to flourish which seems to thrive on chaos and dissatisfaction. Magic is eking, ebbing and flowing between the worlds, in places it should not be, and the cost is just beginning to be recognized. Schwab’s writing and her zeal and enthusiasm for her characters and world building are contagious. But perhaps the greatest enchantment is the evolving, often painful, self-awareness of Kell, Rhys and even Lila, as they acknowledge, hone, and test their magical and non-magical abilities with their growing list of foes, with each other, and ultimately with themselves. There’s spellwork in the reading also, for how else to explain how 600+ pages can whip by so quickly and leave you with a near insatiable craving for the next book of this planned trilogy. I’m ready! So very recommended. My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books.

This is a continuation of the world in the Shades of Magic series - which are a must read prior to this. Dive back in in you want to go back to that world as this book introduces a set of great new characters you are sure to fall in love with.

"The Fragile Threads of Power" by V.E. Schwab is a mesmerizing addition to the world of Shades of Magic, showcasing the author's skill at crafting intricate worlds, complex characters, and compelling narratives. In this new fantasy series, Schwab delves into a world of magic, power struggles, and interconnected realms, captivating readers from start to finish.

The novel's strength lies in its world-building, which seamlessly weaves together four distinct worlds, each with its own unique magical system and atmosphere. The concept of doors connecting these worlds adds a layer of intrigue and mystery, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories. Schwab's vivid descriptions bring each world to life, immersing readers in the settings and cultures of London's various iterations.

The characters in the story are multifaceted and relatable, with both new and familiar faces making appearances. The main characters, Tes and Kosika, bring fresh perspectives to the narrative, while beloved figures like Kell, Lila, and Rhy continue to evolve. Schwab expertly explores their personal growth, inner struggles, and the complexities of their relationships. The dynamics between characters add depth to the plot, and readers will find themselves invested in their fates.

The plot is a masterful blend of intrigue, political maneuvering, and magical discoveries. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for both moments of tension and introspection. The narrative seamlessly shifts between different perspectives and worlds, gradually weaving their threads together into a larger tapestry of events. The themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions are explored with depth and nuance.

Schwab's prose is elegant and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the worlds and characters. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, capturing the distinct voices of each character. The author's ability to create suspense, convey emotions, and build tension enhances the reading experience.

"The Fragile Threads of Power" not only stands as a captivating story in its own right but also adds a new layer of depth and intrigue to the Shades of Magic universe. V.E. Schwab's ability to craft intricate and immersive fantasy worlds shines through in this novel, drawing readers into a richly imagined narrative that is as enchanting as it is thought-provoking. Fans of the author's previous works and newcomers alike will be entranced by this masterful addition to the fantasy genre.

A caveat before I get started: it's crucial to read Schwab's Darker Shade of Magic series before you read this one. Described as a spin-off, The Fragile Threads of Power is essentially a direct sequel to the other trilogy. There is very little hand-holding in this book, and it makes the book much stronger.

VE Schwab is an incredible writer, and you can really see her development between the previous series (where she was already brilliant) and this one. Unencumbered by initial worldbuilding, characterization, and magic system exposition, Schwab dives DEEP into all of these topics, who trended toward interesting but flat previously, and breathes extra dimensions into just about every detail in the book.

Power dynamics are put on their heads, stakes are both elevated and more personal, and even more examples of realistic and impressive women in fantasy are introduced.

If the first trilogy is about coming to terms with your past, this one is about looking to the future.

It's the author's strongest work yet. Do yourself a favor. and read every book.

I can’t believe I have to wait for the second book to come out and I don’t even know when it’s going to be out 😭

If you loved the last book of the Darker Shades of Magic trilogy, you’re in for a treat. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been living in this world for the last week or so, but this one just gripped my heart in the best of ways.

Schwab’s writing is exceptionally breathtaking in this one—bringing in so much action and emotionality into the heart of its pages. We get to see our beloved favorites again, back with their rakish remarks and lovable quips. I loved how the plot intersected with Kell’s own dilemma, and how well all of the pieces of the puzzle came together. New characters were brought in for this book—with certain abilities that made it even more exciting (if that’s even possible!). Each of the characters’ different complexities were explored here, and I love that Schwab answered a lot of the questions that the last book left me with. That said, she leaves us with a cliffhanger and wanting more—and boy, am I begging for more. This book was RACKED with suspense and mystery, and it seems that the story just gets better with EVERY book. I thought A Conjuring of Light was hands-down my favorite in the series, but the fragile threads of power has me in a chokehold.

If you’re a fan of the different romantic pairings in the last three books, you’re in for a treat! I feel like this book satiated my hunger to see more of these pairs interact with each other—I was not short on squeals, even biting my own wrist. I loved everything about this book—and it’s my favorite one out of the series yet. 5🌙

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with early access to this title in exchange for a review.

It was honestly so wonderful to catch up with these characters again, and to meet so many new characters in the process. My biggest complaint is that I will have to wait until the next books come out! This one felt like a great way to catch up and set the stage for the coming conflict.

I do not recommend this unless you’ve read the previous Shades of Magic series. This is very much a follow up to that and should be read as such.

I'm a big fan of Schwab at this point so I was very excited for more adventures in this world.

The magic system and the world building are the strength... and some characters.
I really liked Tess and her magic - she can see the threads of power - but I still have issues with Lila lol

Enough action with people wanting to overthrow the crown and I'm curious of what will happen with the other Londons.

It's difficult coming back into a world you know with characters you don't. Luckily, for me, that only lasted for part one of the book. Even with Alucard in the first part, it wasn't until Kell and Lila that I really got into the story, and then a few more parts before I couldn't put it down. With such a large gap between storylines (seven years) it's a big question as to how has the world progressed, and with Fragile Threads of Power, Red London seemed to progress in an eerily similar way to the first season of Legend of Korra with a hidden group of non-magical people rebelling against the ruling powers, in VE Schwab's case, King Rhy Maresh.

Outside of that parallel, we see more from White London and a bit from Black London. We pop into Gray London, which is a small treat, and we spend the majority of our time in Red London. The White London storyline is...interesting, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out. A fair amount of the new characters are incredibly morally gray, but that's sort of V's style. I'm definitely buying this book when it comes out.

I wish it was hornier, but I'm sure the Tumblr girls are gonna pick up the slack. A worthy continuation of the series, however I would like some more day-to-day for the main cast. Four stars no hesitation.

I am SO thrilled to be back in this world.

I was so excited to see that our main characters from the Shades of Magic series were back, and in major roles as opposed to just cameos! The three new MCs are also great, I can't wait to see them through the rest of the series. Overall an A+ cast.

As always, the writing was impecable. The enthralling story had me wishing it wasn't over, despite it being so long to begin with. And holy cliff hanger! Can't wait to see what's to come.

Perfection. This really felt less like the start of a new/spinoff series than a continuation of Shades of magic, which is perfectly fine with me. There is significant character development and I like the new characters a lot, but was also glad to have more of Lila and Rhy and Kell.

I did a literal dance of joy upon receiving this arc; thank you so much to Tor Books and NetGalley! I devoured this book and instantly wished I could fast forward to the release of the next installment in this series.

The Fragile Threads of Power continues the world of The Shades of Magic series, introducing a few new characters and catching us up on those that captivated us earlier. There was a a little difficulty at first to make sense of all the POV and storylines through various time shifts, but once everything was connected and flowing it was just spectacular. There are such lush and exquisite details of both the magic employed and the magical objects. The relationships are beautifully developed, particularly all those connected to King Rhy. The complexity and nuance of each character makes this so engaging.

This story is just an absolute delight, fully enjoyable even if the reader hasn't already read the earlier books.

I’m sure everyone will be reading this, this takes place 7 years after the events of the last book in the Shades of Magic series by V E Schwab and it follows 3 main plotlines, one being the original gain including Kel, and we have a couple other new characters, one of them being able to control the threads of power, so we have faces you know and love and then new added characters for a fresh perspective. They all have a new battle to fight, a new war to win. I know this fandom is very much freaking out about a new series in this universe so I’ll just leave it at that.

Oh. My. Gracious.

When I got the ARC for this book (thank you NetGalley!) I went back and listened to the audiobooks of the 3 that came before it, I devoured them in 5 days. Then I dove in and was completely hooked because while it’s a spin-off in the same world we got even more of the characters from the series before!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!! It was perfect. V.E. SCHWAB IS A MAGICIAN. I don’t know how I’m going to recover from this massive magic book hangover tho, it was like eating an entire tub of amazing ice cream in one sitting and now I’m unwell because I have to wait for what comes next 🙈

Here’s what to expect:
✨ Immersive fantasy world building (read Darker Shade of Magic trilogy FIRST) that is V.E. Schwab’s finest
✨ magical London vibes
✨ magical objects, magical space travel, just a whole ton of magic 🤌
✨ multiple incredible plots with twists and turns that will have you in the edge of your seat
✨ flashback timelines
✨ top notch character and relationship development
✨ fantasy romance (more than one 😍)
✨ a lot of new characters as well as plenty of page time from our old favorites from the previous Darker Shade of Magic series
✨ a gut wrenching cliffhanger

Fantasy fans who love an immersive experience, this entire series is for you. Loved it. I am now going to sit and stare at a wall while I try to recover. Send help 😅

This book made me so incredibly happy from the first page to the last! It is a story of love and loss with lots of action and even a few very sweet moments between some favorite characters. If you have not read the first trilogy, you won’t be too lost I think, although some of the character relationships will make more sense if you have read it.

One of the best parts of this story, is that we get to catch up on all of our favorite characters from Shades of Magic. We learn what they have been up to for the last seven years, mostly through flashbacks and memories. It was hard, yet satisfying to see Kell learn to deal with the fallout from the last book, with Lilah being so supportive, in her own way. The moments between Alucard and Rhy were just wonderful as well, and it was nice to see that their relationship has thrived throughout the years and is just as strong. The love and support these characters give each other becomes very important very quickly as things go from bad to worse over the course of the book.

We also have two wonderful new POV characters, and they are both women! I loved Tes, the young girl that can not only see the threads of magic like Alucard, but can manipulate them. She uses these manipulations to fix and improve broken spells in objects. It is this skill that gets her caught up in all of the chaos facing our group. I really loved Tes, and admired how cool she was under pressure and her ability to work her way out of difficult situations.

I also really liked Kosika, although I was never quite sure about her. She is the queen in White London and an Antari. I think she means well but she is also very young and easily manipulated by those around her. I look forward to seeing her growth in the next book and seeing which side she ends up on.

The pacing is well done throughout, after abit of a slow start. There is lots of action, and the parts about the rebel group, called the Hand, were very interesting indeed. The writing is suburb and I love that even the minor characters have a bit of back story to them that makes them feel so much real. There are people in the hand that we already know from the other books, but some new ones too, and one that will be a surprise at the end.

Fans of the Shades of Magic series will rejoice and fall in love with these characters and world all over again. I am so looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy as I am anxious to see the fate of all the characters that I love and the fate of the four Londons as well.

It is always a challenge to add to a beloved series. The Shades of Magic series has been a favorite of mine for quite a while. I am sure I was not alone in being both elated and also a bit concerned when I heard Schwab would be adding new volumes. On the one hand I could not wait to go back to this world, but on the other, I feared it would be difficult to live up to expectations. In this case, I am happy to report The Fragile Threads of Power delivers a satisfying story.

First off, Kell, Lila, Rhy and Alucard are all back! The story picks up seven years after the events of the previous series, but they are still very much themselves and are all key to the new story. It does take some time to catch us up on what has happened in the interim, and I will say the flashbacks to "5 years ago" "3 years ago" 1 year ago etc. are probably the most difficult aspect of the novel to follow. I see how picking up in the present and then using the first 1/2 of the novel to fill in how we got there is effective, but the back and forth does stunt the plot development in places. While I think most readers will be motivated to stick with it, this could be a hurdle for some.

Schwab also introduces some key new characters in a similar way. I loved Tess particularly. She is smart and magically gifted, but initially on her own. This makes it all the more gratifying when her story finally intersects with the group we have grown to love. I loved it, but again I wish I hadn't had to wait so long for it- much of the narrative doesn't converge until the last 100 pages or so, but again Schwab is setting the board for what is to come.

We still also have action in Grey, White and even Black London. In White London we see the legacy of Holland's sacrifice and follow another new character who has to take up his legacy. This is where the story is clearly a book one with more to come, but I am excited about the possibilities opened up here. Even so, these sections seem especially disconnected from the other aspect of the story until the end, so be prepared.

In short, I enjoyed The Fragile Threads of Power and was happy with this expansion, but fans will have to be patient with the set up required. I have no doubt what is to come will be worth it.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Tor for access to an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Fragile Threads of Power. All opinions are my own.

VE Schwab is back to continue the world of Shades of Magic and she did not come to play around. This was so good for a continuation and the first in a new series!

We follow characters new and old as a door to all worlds is being pursued from all sides. A group threatening the Royal family has spurred calling themselves the Red Hand, and they won’t stop until they get what they want- King Rhy’s life put to an end. Our familiars Lila and Kell are roped back into the schemes as they follow the threatening threads of their enemy, new power, and repairing what has broken within Kell.

This was like sinking in to your favorite cushion on a couch, but also getting pricked by a knife you didn’t see. So comforting and familiar until you realize a blade has nicked your skin. I loved being back with the gang, but with it comes more trouble for them to face. Kell baby and my Lila shine so bright I actually love them with every fiber of my being!

With writing that wraps around my mind and doesn’t let go the whole book, to themes of family and power, VE Schwab has done a great service to fans of the series. Readers will LOVE diving back into this chaotic bunch!

And yes, I enjoyed Kell’s glow up as much as Lila does LOL.

There were once four worlds connected through magic. The magic became dark and grew too quickly.  In order to protect their worlds, they sealed them closed.  The only people who can travel between these worlds now are powerful magicians called Antari. We follow the Antari and the rulers of two of the kingdoms as they try to quell uprisings and keep their thrones.

I loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and knew I had to request this newest book by the same author.  What I didn't realize was that this follows a previous series of hers called A Darker Shade of Magic. This has some of the old characters along with some new ones.  The beginning of the book was a little tough to get into because there were a ton of characters, worlds, points of view, and a lot of descriptions to explain all of these things. It was hard to keep track and a little overwhelming.  With that being said, it was beautifully done.  I didn't feel like I needed to read the other series in order to understand this world. The characters were interesting and unique, and I enjoyed getting a peak into all their thoughts and feelings.  The magic in the story was so fun!  There were different types of magic, and all of this was explained.  Some were more powerful than others.  I liked how two of the more powerful/unique characters were females and no-nonsense.  There are parallel kingdoms that didn't really connect in this book, but I'm curious to see how they eventually do in future books.  This would be something to check out if you enjoy complex fantasy worlds with interesting characters with magical elements.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

V.E. Schwab has done it again. After six years since we departed from the magical world of Antari, multiple Londons, and violent, but lovable thieves, we are once again transported into the realm of many doors, some of which can be opened, if you only know the right words. . .and have the right blood.

I'll be completely honest, I went into this book with high hopes, and the author did not disappoint. Not only are we reintroduced to some of our favorite, and most beloved characters from the original series, but we are also treated to a brand new cast with their own magic, struggles, and goals. The story juggles events of the past with those of the present beautifully (as we knew V.E. was more than capable of doing courteous of Vicious and Vengeful) and there was never a moment in the manuscript where I felt the story was dragging or the pacing seemed off. I was captivated from the first page all the way to the last, and the gorgeous prose, rich magic, and brilliant struggles of our characters (yes, I'm looking at you Kell) were masterfully done.

This book is clearly the setup for a trilogy, and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next installment (especially after that twist and ending; good God, I need book two yesterday) because this is going to be an phenomenal series and we, the readers, are in for one of hell of a ride.

There’s something so special about V.E. Schwab and I’ve always felt that - she has such a gift for storytelling and world-building that really do pull you in and make you fall in love with the characters in ways that few other writers do. Given how prolific she is, as well, I’m honestly bowled over at the consistent quality of her writing.

Now, let’s talk about “The Fragile Threads of Power.” I absolutely loved A Darker Shade of Magic and consider it one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. So, imagine my delight when I saw that we not only had another trilogy coming set in the same world, but that Lila, Kell, and Alucard were back for the adventure! That alone would have been enough to reel me in, but the inclusion of new major players, Kosika and Tes, was seamless. So often with books, I find myself thinking, “Eh, should have stuck to the original protagonists,” but again, Schwab manages to make these women multifaceted, interesting, and extremely likable.

This took me longer to read than it would have had I not been insanely busy/not had much time to read - I would have blown through it in a couple of days otherwise. In a way, I’m glad I was forced to pace myself, because who knows when the second book will come out and I’m going to be having withdrawals until then.

Engaging story, lots of action and intrigue, and plenty of cliffhangers to keep everyone on tenterhooks until book 2. I don’t want to give too much away here because I feel like it’s a journey best gone into completely blind, but Schwab fans and DSOM fans are going to lose their shit over this. I did!

Thanks to NetGalley for the early read, as usual!