V E Schwab has been one of my go-to readers for years. Like many, I was first introduced to her writing through Shades of Magic before falling down the rabbit hole of the amazing work she's done.

The Fragile Threads of Power picks up 7 years after the events of the Shades of Magic series and brings us back to new and familiar ground with old friends, such as Kell, Lila, and Alucard, whilst bringing a host of new and interesting characters.

The story she builds feels effortlessly rich, entrenched across the stacked worlds, turning a new lens onto the things we thought we knew.

I knew this was going to be a 5* read before I'd even hit the halfway point, and Schwab's storytelling never faltered. I can't wait to spend many more hours with this series in the books that follow.

An absolutely fantastic addition to the world of Shades of Magic! An adventure filled tale with lots of world building and character development. Can be read without having read the Darker Shades of Magic series but will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who have. Highly recommended!!

I was very excited to jump back into the world of ADSOM so thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eArc.

This book was clearly written to be a setup for the remainder of the spin-off series and in saying that I will admit that I wasn't particularly hooked with the storyline until about 50% of the way through. I also felt that the book had too many POV characters (12 by my count but I may have missed some) and that the book was too lengthy and drawn out overall. I also felt that the book suffered from some plot devices that were solely thrown in to add unnecessary drama (ex. Rhy/Alucard/Nadiya). Unfortunately, I also struggled with Lila as a character in this series as she often came off as mean and downright cruel in some instances and I don't remember her being like that in the original series.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I am eager to see how the story continues to unfold in the next two novels.

The Fragile Threads of Power was possibly my most anticipated book of the year. It has a LOT to live up to, kicking off a new trilogy that follows the bestselling (and a personal favorite) Darker Shades of Magic trilogy. I’m happy to report that I absolutely loved it.

The Fragile Threads of Power is set seven years after A Conjuring of Light, and it heavily features the characters we love most — Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard — while also introducing several new (excellent) characters. I don’t want to tell you much more, because I really enjoyed reading this without knowing any of the plot beats, but rest assured that it earns all of its 600+ pages and then some.

Darker Shades readers know this, but V.E. Schwab is a master plotter, a master of the details, a master of sentences — just a master of everything. Our beloved characters are seven years older and seven years harder. They’ve been through it — there was healing to be done after Conjuring that’s largely still in progress — and she’s matured them in a way that can sometimes feel not quite like what you expect, but always feels realistic and true.

I will warn you: There are a few places in the beginning, as she’s piecing together the events of the past seven years, when she tries to stress you out. But have faith, dear readers, she will not forsake you. I also counted two instances where the original canon was slightly broken (I reread Shades immediately before reading this, so it was very fresh), but they are things I can ultimately forgive.

Finally, what an ending!! Thankfully not as much of a cliffhanger as A Gathering of Shadows (IYKYK), but it’s a great setup for more books to come and I cannot WAIT for the next one.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC! The Fragile Threads of Power is the start of a new series from V.E. Schwab and a part two of the Darker Shades of Magic series. This new series introduces Tes, a girl with the remarkable (and dangerous) ability to see and manipulate the threads of power. Her ability centers the rest of the narrative which involves a plot to overthrow King Rhy Maresh (killing him if possible) and the quest for a door to other worlds that does not require an Antari. Of course, the story would not be complete without revisiting Lila Bard and Kell Maresh, the Antari from Grey and Red London respectively. The Kell we are reunited with is still dealing with the effects of the final battle at the end of the previous series. He can access his power, but is wracked with pain whenever he does. He reinvents himself to compensate for this loss, and he and Lila have been traveling the waters and going where needed. We also learn the story of the child queen of White London, Kosika, and quite the story it is. As this is the first in a new series, some things are resolved at the end, but there are several that remain open. Fans of A Darker Shade of Magic should love this journey back into the four worlds and not only the reunion with familiar characters. but the introduction of the new.

This was honestly such a delightful, exciting return to the world and characters I fell in love with in the Shades of Magic trilogy.

VE Schwab does an incredible job balancing old characters with new. I would do anything for Lila and her relationship with Kell is too wonderful for words. I really enjoyed getting back into the world of Red London specifically - the book picks up 7 years after A Conjuring of Light but has flashbacks throughout filling in what's happened in that time.

I loved the way I could see the pieces (or threads!) starting to come together as a reader - for me there's nothing more exciting than realizing two characters could change EVERYTHING if only you could get them in the same room.

I did not re-read the Shades of Magic series before reading this and I did not have any issues! The new characters and magical concepts are so refreshing, it's just enough new without distracting from all of the characters and elements we're already familiar with. Everything about the character of Tes is deeply exciting to me and I cannot wait to watch her story continue - I'm a sucker for thread magic!!!!

THANK YOU to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this digital ARC

Rating- 4.5 stars

To someone who absolutely loves the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy, reading The Fragile Threads of Power is a book that feels like coming home and returning to the magical world that I already knew and loved. Not only does this book return us to that world, it also expands on the country of Arnes, the world outside it, and even the other Londons and their worlds. The magic that began in ADSOM not only continues in this book, it amplifies and expands.

One of the best parts of this book is being able to see what the beloved characters from ADSOM have been up to in the seven years since the end of that trilogy, and it was not at all what I was expecting, in the best way. There were some shocks in what all has transpired in the intervening seven years, but I was happy for all of those changes, especially once I got used to them. Another great thing about the time skip between books is getting to experience sweet domestic moments between the characters, especially Alucard and Rhy, though Lila and Kell had me kicking my feet as well!

One thing about this book is that it is LONG. There are a lot of characters and perspectives to follow, which is especially good for those who enjoy books that are more character driven, but it can take some time to get through and for the plot to feel like its really moving. However, I think this is offset by just how fascinating each of the characters are on their own and when they meet and their lives weave together.

This book is an absolute delight that, in true V.E. Schwab fashion, will leave you crying and desperately waiting for the next installment of the series.

As typical with Schwab novels, the first part is very heavy with introducing new characters, plot, and ideas, but once the book gets going, it goes hard. I loved that we were able to see our favorite characters again, and were given some brand-new ones to enjoy, as well as ones we do not (and as always, for a very good reason). The time jumps can be slightly confusing, but it always comes together to better understand the plot, and WOW I did not expect some of the smaller plot twists, nor the very big one. I honestly can’t wait for the next book, another 5/5 Schwab book for me!

Thank you to Tor for an e-arc of this book!

Oh, it was both strange and wonderful to be back in the London's. I wasn't sure how exactly this was going to pickup from the previous books, but thankfully, you do get a bit of background, so it doesn't feel as if you're tossed directly into it. Although I feel a series recap would be helpful for those of us who haven't read in a while...anyways.

Kell and Rhy remain my favorite characters of them all. Although I also loved Lila and Luca as well! And Ren. Schwab is always so great at giving us such good characters, and it was cool to see both Kell and Rhy and Lila and Luca in different positions than they were last time.

it helped to add to their character growth. One thing I will note though, is despite the fact you're told you don't need to read the original trilogy, having read it would be immensely helpful.

We're also introduced to new characters and "antagonists" in this one, and the background the book is set against is seven years later. Tes and Kosika are the other two main POV characters we get (we get lots of POV characters in this book).

Honestly, we get just as much character development in this book as we do plot development, I will say as with the other books, this one is full of action.

There are some great lines in this book, and clearly it is going to be a tangled web that Schwab weaves, as this is the start of a new trilogy. We have all separate stories at the beginning of this book, but the further along you get, the more they begin to intertwine...and I love a good book that does this.

The writing was as excellent as ever!

I can't wait to see what the next book holds!

It is such a great feeling to be back in this world! Like going on a new adventure with your favorite friends.

V. E. Schwab has not lost a single step in creating something new and exciting from its former trilogy. All your favorites are here, full of strengths and doubts as they have lived full lives in the intervening years. But we are also introduced to some new and intriguing characters that twine within the story.

There is a new threat to the kingdom, a possibility of magic disappearing, or maybe the cracks in the walls between the kingdoms are set to wreak havoc if the dams burst. Take your glorious pick of mysteries to solve here for our characters! All I know, is I cannot wait until the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this early copy to read! **

Since reading the Shades of Magic trilogy a couple years ago, I have wanted to know more after the slightly ambiguous ending. The Fragile Threads of Power did not disappoint. Being back in this world of magic was such a gift. V.E. Schwab seamlessly blended aspects from the original trilogy with new ones.

I was so excited to get more of Alucard and Rhy, my favs. The life they built together was not what I had necessarily expected at first, but it was very them. I loved seeing the character growth of their characters, as well as Kell and Lila’s. Kell and Lila still maybe had a bit more to work out, but being back in their perspectives and seeing how they’ve changed and gotten closer felt right.

There are many different moving parts of this book and a lot of perspectives, but they were all very distinct and there wasn’t confusion between them. Not only that, but when they came together it all worked together so well and not how I had expected. Lila’s morally greyness really came out during these parts towards the end of the book and I was here for it. There’s still more puzzle pieces, so I can’t wait to see how those will be fit together in later books.

At the end of the book, things started to seem almost wrapped up, and then Schwab threw an unexpected twist in there that made my need for more instantly increased. I am so happy she decided to revisit this world and continue this story. It was different from the original trilogy, but it held the same magical feel as Shades of Magic, just with some new elements and characters that I’m excited to see more of!

I was so excited to go back to the world that Schwab created in the Shades of Magic series after a few years have passed, and I really liked that we had some familiar characters (I loved Lila and Kell, particularly, and was glad to have them back), but also some new and very compelling new characters - I'm super intrigued to know what happens with Kosika and Tes. It took me a little bit of time to get into this story, but I think that had more to do with some stuff I was dealing with in my life than the book itself. By the time I got a third of the way through, I was completely in it and started blazing through it at a faster clip (though fair warning, it's still very long), and at the end I was like "UGH now I have to wait??!!??" If you like the Shades of Magic series, I think you'll love this, which is a great combo of familiar elements and new ones. I think it would be pretty confusing to read this without the background from that series, especially in terms of character relationships. I also realized as I was reading this that it reminded me a bit of the Six of Crows duology, in a way that I don't remember feeling in the original series. Anyway, a great read, and worth the time investment in my opinion. Content warning for lots (and lots) of violence.

I missed these characters so much.

I am always hesitant when an author returns to a completed series years later but there is no author I trust more than VE Schwab. Schwab did our core characters justice and introduced some new one's I cannot wait to learn more about. This story felt like a natural continuation of the original trilogy.

Delilah Bard is my heart.

I always had Shades of Magic on my to-read list, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Once realizing this book was a direct sequel to that trilogy, I immediately picked it up and started reading.
I absolutely devoured this book right after. The world building continues to amaze me at every turn and I absolutely love the characters in this series. This is a very well done continuation and I'm so ready for the rest. I can't wait to absolutely gush and lose my mind about this to everyone I see once the book is published.

I really like the characters and the world in the book. And if you were worried about the favorite characters from the Shades of Magic series, they're back big time in this new trilogy. Not just a quick appearance, they're major players, along with a bunch of cool new characters. These are amazing, and I can't wait to see more of them in the upcoming books. They fit right in.
The story is shaping up well for the whole trilogy. There's lots of interesting stuff happening that's will play out in the next books. Different conflicts are weaving together, and I'm totally hooked on how they'll connect in the next two books.
The way the story's told gets a bit messy. It jumps back seven years, two years, five years, and three years ago in flashbacks, and it can be confusing. Sometimes it feels like we're spending more time in the past than the present.
We get a lot of the familiar characters, but I kinda wish we had less of them so the new folks could shine more. the new characters are really cool, and they deserved more time in the spotlight.
I really love this world, it's definitely worth reading. It took a bit to get started, but I'm totally on board with where it's all heading.

Genuinely incredible. VE Schwab is my all time favorite author and Shades of Magic is my favorite series so I had really high expectations for this. It didn’t disappoint. The characters and world I love with new wonderful characters and a new focus was so magical and I need book two right now

The Fragile Threads of Power is a direct sequel to the Shades of Magic trilogy. Unrest is growing in Red London as a mysterious group plots to destroy the royal family. As Alucard and Rhy try to search out the conspirators Lila and Kell have been called back to the city to investigate a mysterious theft. A teenage girl with an unusual magical gift becomes unwillingly wrapped up in the intrigue as she also tries desperately to carve her own path. Meanwhile, in White London, a child queen works to renew her kingdom, with implications that could ripple through all layers of reality.

This is the best kind of sequel. It follows directly from the events of Shades of Magic without feeling like it's taking away from the story or character developments that were already earned. All of the main characters are back, and their relationships have only strengthened in the time away. The new characters are perfectly integrated, and I ended up being just as invested in their stories as I was in those of the returning heroes.

Despite being a launching point for a new series, The Fragile Threads of Power tells a satisfying and mostly complete story. There are obviously ample threads left for the next books, but I was not left feeling as if the point of any of this story was merely to set up and tease future things. The character interactions were everything I could have hoped for, and I was left with a desire to go back and re-read Shades of Magic. Overall, a fantastic start to what's looking like a truly well done sequel.

It's everything I wanted from another Schwab book! I am so terrified of spoiling past and present that I don't want to say too much, but it's just what you expect in the BEST WAY.

Fragile Threads of Power is an interesting one for me to rate. I felt very strongly at the conclusion of the first trilogy, A Conjuring of Light, that Schwab had left characters alive in service of a future work but to the detriment of the weight of the conclusion to the series in hand. That feeling was proven out with Threads, as everyone is back, but contributing so little (until the climax) that it just felt like cameos that start too early and linger on far too long (unnecessary fan service)
That said, I enjoyed all of the new characters and hope the next books give them their time in the spotlight.
The book ended in such a way that I look forward to the second installment in the Threads of Power series, even though I did find it a slog in the first few hundred pages to get there.

I love these character and I absolutely loved this world! This author continues to amaze me with her world building and storylines! Most anticipated book of the year and it lived up too the hype!!!