The Fragile Threads of Power

I enjoyed being back with Kell Maresh and Lila Bard, seven (fictional) years after the end of the Shades of Magic trilogy, and I loved the introduction of Tes as a new character with new powers. I should have reread A Conjuring of Light to refresh my memory on the details of how the first trilogy ended (I couldn't remember if Kell was dead or alive), but there was enough background in the new book to catch me up. Now I'm excited for the next one!

And in this moment, I suddenly know that there is, in fact, a god somewhere out there answering my prayers.

5.26.2021 Update:

If you don't religiously follow Victoria Schwab's Instagram stories like I do, then you might not be aware of the following:

1. Victoria is going to publish a book called Gallant in March. It's up for pre-order now. here's a link (if you need it) to order it off book depository. I also recommend preordering it from your favorite local bookstore as well. Anyways, the rest of this update can wait as you go pre-order it....I'm waiting......and waiting.......got it? okay. Let's continue.

2. Now that Gallant is pretty much written, she can now focus on writing this book, the first book of Threads of Powers. (Also, allegedly, she has been plotting this book for 5+ years so you know it's going to be good. )

3. Every character that survives in Conjuring of Light will be in Threads of Power, but the MCs will be new characters

4. After she writes Threads of Power #1, she is going to write Victorious, the last book of the Villains trilogy, which is unimportant to the grand scheme of this review and Threads of Power, but I'm a slut for the Villains series so it's important for me so it's mentioned.

5. So in conclusions, this book is starting to get close close (in terms of VE Schwab being just one person and can only write one book at at time) so start getting your soul ready (and don't go making deals involving them to gods that answer after dark)

This book was meant to be an “all new series” separate from darker shade of magic, yet there was so much that I didn't understand or grasp the weight of because I have only read the first in that series.

I felt like I lacked all context needed to enjoy this book, and so only enjoyed one specific character's story. That part was very invigorating, but the left felt me feeling like “yeah? So what?”

I gave it 3 instead of two because I could have stopped and just gone back to read the darker shade series, but it's the principle of the thing. Also, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere did the “magic london” concept better, and the Six of Crows series did heists AND a new series in the same universe better.

I enjoyed it overall but it was quite the hectic party with the multiple POV changes, and the audiobook was another party of its own (three narrators, all talking in different speeds so I constantly had to change the speed). Still enjoyed the comeback of familiar characters, and the introductions of the new ones! I think I probably have enjoyed it more without the audiobook.

I ATE UP the first half and then stopped in the middle cause I couldn't care less abt some characters (I'm so sorry Kosika), then the second half picked up gradually and the ending left me mad as hell. Love that the current situations and problems are resolved and at the same time are opening up new possibilities, leaving more to be resolved in the next book(s).
Also, I can't finish a review without mentioning Lila at least once. She ate every character up and left them gagged. I want her soooo baaaddddd