Book Review: A Conjuring of Light
- Author: V.E Schwab
- Series: Shades of Magic Book #3
- 624 pages, Hardcover
- First published February 21, 2017
How do you kill a god?
A powerful creature, the embodiment of magic itself, steps onto the scene once again. Vitari is only a fraction of what Osaron represents. Thanks to the white Antari, the dark king leaves his dead world and conquers Red London. The inhabitants of the city are under the power of the monster and only a handful manage to save themselves in the palace, which is protected by spells. Osaron demands obedience. Anyone who does not bow his head to the new king dies. The once beautiful, magic-filled city is taken over by Ashoka’s shadows. The protagonists lose loved ones and friends to Osaron’s corruption. And from here begins the adventure of the familiar faces who seek a way to defeat the king.
Antari – “A Conjuring of Light”
Osaron needs a body, and no human is able to possess it. His victims burn like a torch and crumble into dust. The only ones eligible for an Ashoka body are Antari. But they also need a way to trick him, and the creature is not so easy to trick. They need a weapon, and the only one that can do the job is on a secret island that is constantly changing location.
Kell and Lila are everyone’s favorite characters. Red Antari is the lovable guy who always thinks of others and is willing to sacrifice himself. Sometimes his sacrifice even seems a bit exaggerated.
On the other hand, we have Lila. The bone-stealing pirate who is constantly getting into trouble. In her effort to make her a truly strong female character, Schwab has gone to extremes. Lila is reckless and brave, even if that sometimes puts those close to her in danger. I personally liked her portrayal in book one, but as it developed in book two and ended in book three, my sympathies dropped drastically.
It may seem strange to you, but Holland is the strongest portrayal of Schwab in this series, in my opinion. White Antari, who stands on the line between villain and hero, has undergone the most development in the three books. Schwab manages to reveal his story to us bit by bit, and it happens between chapters with the main plot. His fate is the most exciting in my opinion and deserves more attention. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise, but Holland’s story will shake you to the core.
Alucard
How angry I am that Schwab spoiled the image of Alucard. I really liked the cocky captain who doesn’t let anything rattle him. And then Schwab turned him into a sensitive, lovesick young man. The winner of the games did not show his potential at all in this book. Aha, to show what he is capable of, and they accepted the fact that the enemy ships changed direction…
About the book “A Conjuring of Light”
The book is not at all lacking in action. There are many dynamic scenes and, to put it in a few words, no chapter is without action. The characters are constantly in dangerous situations and face a series of decisions. Secrets from the characters’ past are revealed and others remain a mystery. There were fights, deaths and betrayals that were expected and didn’t quite happen. There were surprises and yet something fell short. Maybe it’s the reading slump I’m in this month, but I struggled to finish the series.
As I said, there was suspense, but I’m looking for a thrill that makes you want to read the next chapter to find out, to uncover it. In A Conjuring of Light, the plot moved quickly, too quickly. The intrigue lasted only a few lines, rarely pages. The addition of the “immortal” Lila pushed the rating down to a 3. Yes, I love strong heroines who can get sassy without a problem, but the thief from gray London was a “poncey” in that regard.
Still, the story has an ending. Antari and Lila Bard get their happy ending.
A Darker Shade of Magic Book #1
A Gathering of Shadows Book #2
A Conjuring of Light
Witness the fate of beloved heroes – and enemies.
THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED…
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell – once assumed to be the last surviving Antari – begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace – but never common – thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.How do you kill a god?
A powerful creature, the embodiment of magic itself, steps onto the scene once again. Vitari is only a fraction of what Osaron represents. Thanks to the white Antari, the dark king leaves his dead world and conquers Red London. The inhabitants of the city are under the power of the monster and only a handful manage to save themselves in the palace, which is protected by spells. Osaron demands obedience. Anyone who does not bow his head to the new king dies. The once beautiful, magic-filled city is taken over by Ashoka’s shadows. The protagonists lose loved ones and friends to Osaron’s corruption. And from here begins the adventure of the familiar faces who seek a way to defeat the king.
