I was so looking forward to this book as I loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. The Fragile Threads of Power just had too many story threads for me to feel deeply invested with any of them for most of the book. At 62 percent I considered giving up but decided to plod on. The last quarter of the book when the threads started weaving together- I did enjoy. I’m hoping that book 2 - now that the story is set up- will be even better.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC- clearly my opinions are my own.

I may be biased since I adored the Darker Shades of Magic series, but The Fragile Threads of Power is a perfect continuation of the preceding series. Schwab stays true to her incredible characterizations, building new and old characters alike into a fascinating web of complex personalities. The story itself puts Red London into a larger context with the rest of its world. The politics of magical and non-magical power alike are examined more thoroughly in this book than in the previous series, but there is also a heavy dose of adventure to go along with the political intrigue. Absolutely a compelling read and I recommend it to anyone who loves adventure stories with lots of well-developed characters.

OH MY GOD! This book is the warm, scary hug I've been waiting for since the conclusion of Dark Shade of Magic series. V.E. Schwab know how to make you fall in love with every character introduced. And I am happy to say even the new characters feel important, I was worried it would lean on the old reliables ( I don't know why I doubted Schwab for even a moment). Such a great read, and now I'm itching for all of my bookish friends to get their hands on a copy too. And the the cover redesigns are top tier.

How did this book manage to EXCEED my impossibly high expectations? I feel healed and broken and obsessed and so grateful for the early release! Just wow!

I loved all of the moments with the recurring characters. Lots of great Kell + Rhy moments and Kell + Lila moments. Those relationships are my favorite element of the book. For the Rhy + Alucard fans (I love Kell and therefore hate Alucard), there's lots of (begrudgingly) good moments between them, too.

All of the new additions fit perfectly and were great. I loved the new characters- lots of fun and very clever. Plus, the plot of this book totally works and did not at all feel forced as to why she'd continue the series.

I cannot recommend this book enough and I can't wait for the next two (and to reread this one already!!). An amazing continuation of one of my all-time favorite series!

While I highly recommend reading The Darker Shade of Magic trilogy prior to delving into The Fragile Threads of Power, it is not an absolute requirement. This book serves as a continuation of the narrative involving beloved characters such as Lila, Kell, Rhy, Alucard, among others, while simultaneously introducing a fresh ensemble of characters endowed with unique magical abilities.

As the longest installment in the series, The Fragile Threads of Power delves extensively into the intricacies of each character, employing a narrative technique that seamlessly transitions between different perspectives and timelines. This engrossing tale unfolds within the same universe and cities as the original books, creating a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.

Personally, I found this book to be a perfect ten, and in alignment with the sentiments expressed by others, it evoked a heartfelt sense of "coming home." I highly recommend acquiring a copy.

[solicited review of advanced reader copy; e-galley; final cover not seen]
This was stressful. Don't get me wrong, I was super-excited to receive this ARC. I read "A Conjuring of Light" in March of 2017 and didn't imagine dipping into those characters again. A bunch of stuff has happened since then. I no longer find dystopian fiction enjoyable because I'm living in a dystopian reality. So, it took me *weeks* to read this book rather than days or hours. I truly believe this is a reflection of my mentality at this point rather than any indication of Schwab's talent as a writer. While this title purports to be a Book 1 and the beginning of a new trilogy and it does introduce us to new characters who get a decent amount of page time, this is really Book 4 of the Shades of Magic series. I have to assume that the author means to spend less time with those original characters in the next book. While I loved one of the new characters and would read an entire book with her at the center, I truly could not care less about one of the other new mains and dread having to muddle through her chapters in the future. But, I've always felt that way about Rhys, so, there you go.
Fans of Shades of Magic will not be disappointed. Readers new to the series will need to start with "A Darker Shade of Magic."

I mean, what is there to say? It's a new V.E. Schwab. She's an absolute master of the craft and of worldbuilding. She re-entered this world with ease, adding to the lore but staying true to the characters we've grown to love through Shades of Magic. Definitely not an entry point to the series, but a beautiful continuation.

The new characters are just as fully developed as our old favorites, and they add a lot of depth to the tapestry. Just overall a phenomenal book.

A thrilling return to the world of Lila and Kell. It’s been seven years since the end of the last series, but it many ways, this still feels like it picks up right where we left off. I loved the return of some of my favorite characters, the overwhelming sense of impending doom, and some absolutely fabulous new characters that I already love. I do think this felt a little bogged down by flashbacks and a cast that is slightly too large, but I still know I’ll be reading it again while I wait impatiently for book two.

Schwab absolutely delivers in producing an incredible and fresh installment in the Shades of London canon. This book was packed with action and excitement, as well as intrigue and danger, and I flew through it. The characters we know and love are front-and-center, but the new characters introduced were compelling and fascinating in their own rights. Schwab never fails to devastate with the sheer amount of trials and tribulations the characters (Kell, specifically) must face in these books, and as always, the emotional payoff when things somehow turn out okay feels extremely and justly earned. I can't wait for more!

Things I liked about this book:
1. Gangs all back and I loved seeing how 7 years changed them in new ways
2. Tes was my favorite character!!!!! I loved hearing a fresh voice
3. Expansion of the magic system from VERY soft magic -> harder magic was lovely. I also liked seeing the distinction between elemental magic and spellwork
4. V.E. Schwab's prose remains beautiful and effective. I think she brought a lot more lyricism from Addie LaRue into this book and I loved it!

Things I disliked:
1. 685 pages is way too long. Many epic fantasies are this long but the book doesn't have the tone/vibe of an epic fantasy so it just felt too much and the pacing dragged a bit
2. Spends a decent amount of time revealing what the up the rebel organization is up to but I don't think the author did a good job making me care about them or their motivations on a personal level
3. I still don't like Lila and I wish we got more of her character backstory so I can root for her
4. I disliked the end of Kell's arc in this book because I kind of disagreed with it on a...political level?

Things I would've changed:
1. A bit too much exposition for my taste I think this could've been much tighter
2. I would've focused more on Tes and less on the old gang. As much as I loved the old gang, I think reducing their presence would've helped their scenes shine more actually. I wanted more of a fresh story with fresh voices and I think we just got more of the old gang. Obviously this is a personal opinion as I'm sure plenty of people out there want to just see more of the old gang, but I feel like with a many-year break between A Conjuring of Light I wanted to let the old gang have some rest (haha)
3. I would've focused more on a character in the rebel organization at a deeper level so I can sympathize with them and better understand why I'm spending like 15% of the words on their machinations

4.5 ⭐

This is my first time reading a book by V.E. Schwab, and definitely not my last!

The Fragile Threads of Power is the first book in 'The Threads of Power's series, part of 'The Shades of Magic Universe' series, and I was worried that since I haven't read the other books that create this world and these characters, I would be lost. I'm happy to report that I was totally wrong. I got to know the characters quickly and the storyline was clear even without having read the other books before. Although now I have a massive list of books I'd like to read from V.E. Schwab 🤪

When I had my first baby, I read almost exclusively fantasy books, they were easy to find for my Nook and I loved escaping into other worlds! I've added a lot of other genres over the years. When I saw this book on @netgalley, it caught my eye and sounded like the perfect fantasy read!

✨Think magic, parallel worlds that are blocked off from each other, pirates, a plan to overthrow the crown, and a little bit of romance thrown in.

I loved the fierce female characters and the way the fantasy elements jumped off the page. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately and this book really stood out and held my interest!

Unlike with Schwab's previous book, it took me a while to get into this one. The world building was slow and confusing and I kept wondering if I had missed a previous book in the series. After a bit I did get into it and enjoyed the characters. I love seeing strong female characters in fantasy novels and enjoyed the fact that the queer characters were not presented as something out of the ordinary. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Another great novel from the queen herself. VE Schwab never disappoints. I loved the new characters introduced in this, but never had to miss old friends from the original trilogy.

V.E. Schwab has done it again. The Fragile Threads of Power picks up seven years after the events of A Conjuring of Light, but it feels like taking a step right back into the world where we left off. The old characters have the same voices as before and the new characters are a welcome addition to the cast. I appreciate the expansion of the magic system established in the previous series with Tes' ability to manipulate threads of magic in the air, which jumps off from Alucard's ability to see the threads there. We get to learn more about the mechanics of magic and how it works, and see Kell struggle to cope with magic that's been broken for seven years. There's a lot of character development for Kell, Lila, and Rhy especially. I never wanted to put this book down. The relationships between characters is what makes these books shine, and Schwab writes those relationships perfectly.

Ahh, the familiarity of the world and characters and the ease of falling back into the story is something to be prized. Normally I get worried when authors want to continue a story that had a nice ending. In this case, however, there is more to tell. The story is there the characters old and new are mesmerizing. I can’t wait for the next installment 🤩

V. E. Schwab does it again. They continue to amaze me. I wish I could read this book again. (And again.) This was such a good addition to the world of Red London. There were schemes aplenty and I was just along for the ride. I cannot wait for the next books.

First of all, a huge thanks to the publisher for the copy of the most anticipated book ever. Shades of magic is one of my favourite saga ever and I was waiting for this book for years. I'm so so happy to be finally able to read it.

BE CAREFUL OF SPOILERS


Seven years passed since we left Rhy and Alucard in Red London, Rhy now king, while Kell and Lila went to see the world on Lila's ship, Osaron defeated and Holland dead, the walls between worlds unused. Many things changed during that time, including the magic. Now in White Holland a new Antari named Kosika has appeared and took the throne in Holland's absence, feeding her own and her people's blood to help her city's magic, but even there nothing is stable.
Meanwhile, in Red London rebellion is growing against the crown, determined to correct the balance of power. With new enemies and old friends, a girl, Tes, with the unusual ability to see the threads of power, reach for and fix them finds herself involved into a plot that could threaten them all.

I wish to say my review will be coherent and without screaming, but I'm waiting for this book for years and now it's almost in my hands. I'm gonna scream at the end of this review though.

Here's my almost coherent review.

Reading this book was like coming home.

VE Schwab wrote an AWESOME book, with a huge scope in worldbuilding, characterization and creativity. This book is absolutely filled with plot twists, new enemies, characters' growth and relationships, love and so much adventures. The story is told by multiple POVs, ranging from Red London to White London and mixing the past with flashbacks (so we can see the characters change and grow during these seven years) and present with twists and cute, adventurous and intense moments, spies and intrigues, religious devotion, blood and magic in all its forms.

After years travelling on Lila's ship, seeing worlds, cities, spying and reporting informations to Red London, an attempted murder to Rhy and the growing threat to the crown, called the Hand, bring Lila and Kell back to London, in order to protect their family. After what happened with his magic, Kell is in pain every time he tries to use it, trying to reinvent himself by using new weapons, trying to find a way to get his magic back, feeling lost without it. Now Captain of the Grey Barron and Kell's partner, Lila finds herself again in Red London, looking for clues to reach and defeat the Hand, struggling to help a stubborn Kell and to save them all, helped by a determined Alucard.
In the same city a girl with a peculiar power, Tes, finds herself involved in a plot with Hands and assassins, after having built a life as a tinkerer in her shop and finding in her hands a thing that, weaponized, could change everything. Her life, Lila's, Kell's, Rhy's and Alucard's get tangled and everything will change.
Meanwhile, having discovered her power as an Antari in White London, a young girl, Kosika, became queen of a world, slowing waking up with magic in its veins, but even magic needs sustainment.

This book is like a wonderful, intriguing and brilliant puzzle, with many characters, their growth impressive and genuine, different places and cities and twists. It was such a pleasure seeing these characters again, watching Kell and Lila's relationship, their interaction and how much they are stubborn and loving and wonderful together, supporting, helping, sniping at, loving each other, after years together through hell and back, adventures and struggles, love and more. With Lila's attitude, Kell's stubborness, they are complex and intriguing and beautiful together.
Rhy and Alucard's love story is so gorgeous, their bond strengthened by a child and her menagerie, ruling a city together and now facing rebellion and magic.
I loved getting to know them more and more, I love these characters and relationships. It was so special, moving and fun seeing them together again, with Kell and Rhy's wonderful brotherly bond, Kell and Alucard "detesting" each other, Lila's knives and investigations, Lila teaching Kell how to use weapons, Lila being an aunt (I would die for her, your honor!)...I loved absolutely everything about the old characters.

BUT I loved too knowing the new characters, like Tes, Kosika and Nadiya, the queen.
Tes is a brilliant character, stubborn, talented, finding herself with a difficult past and a complicated present when her power brings her troubles. Tes and her owl and stubborness held her candle to the old characters, with her courage and pride.
Kosika is the young queen of White London, a brilliant and, a bit naive, Antari, invested of responsibilities and accompanied by friends and peculiar influences. I can't wait to know more about her.
Nadiya is the queen of Red London, Rhy's consort only in name, only to conceive an heir and being part of a peculiar family. I have to say, I don't have a clear opinion about her. She's brilliant, an inventor, a wonderful supporter of Rhy and Alucard's relationship and love and she's fierce and determined to protect her own family when threathened by the Hand. Still her methods are a bit too much for me. And for Lila, too.

This book is huge, with many characters, plots, past and present mixed and I loved absolutely everything. A rebellion's brewing and threatening the crown's family, new inventions, spies, magic, blood and so many twists, new and old enemies and new and old allies, The fragile threads of power is INCREDIBLE and I can't wait to hug my copy.

Now my freaking out:
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KELL AND LILA AND KAY AND LILA SUFFERING BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO HELP HELP WHO IS SUFFERING AND HE'S SO STUBBORN AND KELL GIVING HER A RING AND SHE FREAKING OUT AND THEN STILL WEARING IT, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW AND THEY MDFNSKJANSG<OKANBOS<NGPZNGIODHJHPO

I NEED YOU

THEIR MOMENTS TOGETHER ON THE SHIP

LILA SLEEPING BESIDES KELL ON THE SHIP AND IN THE PALACE

LILA JOKING WITH REN AND MAKING MAGIC TRICKS

RHY AND ALUCARD HAPPY AND TOGETHER WITH THEIR DAUGHTER AND A STRONG RELATIONSHIP. REN WITH HER MENAGERIE AND CALLING ALUCARD "LUCA" AND RHY AND ALUCARD RULING TOGETHER AND NADIYA SAYING ALUCARD IS RHY'S HEART

"MY HEART"

TES AND HER OWL AND NERO AND HER MAGIC, SO SPECIAL AND PECULIAR!

CAHA UIH5UTSNCWEKNVHKIK IQKAIONY

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!!!!

An excellent return to the Shades of Magic universe that does a great job of balancing the continuation of returning characters' stories and the introduction of new ones. I couldn't put it down!

If you love V. E. Schwab you will love this series! The magic, the adventure, the tense build! Oh I could not get enough from the first book let alone this one! And the covers!

I didn't realize how much I'd missed the world of Lila, Kell, Rhy, Alucard, and the rest of London(s) until I returned to this book.

Reading The Fragile Threads of Power felt like visiting home. With a mixture of new characters who captured my imagination, and returning favorites who have matured and grown and grappled with their own challenges since we last saw them, I vacillated between excitement, nostalgia, concern, and anxiety as I turned the pages.

It's been awhile since a book kept me up late into the night, but that's exactly what this story did. I can't wait to see what happens next.