The Starless Seagoers discussion

Discuss A Darker Shade of Magic here!

I liked this book?? It wasn't the best V.E. Schwab book I've read but it was a really fun read

Same! And I love the dynamic between kell and lila

So has anyone made any progress on this book or does anyone care to share some things they like bout this book?

It has a really unique fantasy world, which I loved since a lot of books are about faeries and stuff and I don't really get to see a lot of different aspects of the fantasy genre. The characters are also really likable (for this book at least).

I love the complicated magic system, and the way the travel between the different worlds work
Also having read a bit about Georgian history and binge watching horrible histories when I was younger made the parts of the story set in London more interesting

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed with this novel.
Indeed, the magic system is incredible, and it caught my attention right away. I really like the idea of parallel worlds and doorways between different universes, especially since the cities we discover all have their own specificities, which makes them distinctly attractive.
However, the further I got into the novel, the more I was disappointed by the way the author developed her concept. She could have played with the rules of her universe, but I sometimes felt that her universe, although brilliant, served more as a somewhat atypical setting than anything else. Which is a shame, if you ask me.
Regarding the characters, I have once again mixed opinions. I like Kell, I find him endearing, but what interests me most about him is his cloak, and the relationships he has with his brother and Astrid and Athos, who are both mysterious but too one-dimensional to be charismatic.
That being said, once again, I think he had a lot of potential, but didn't live up to it at all.
On the other hand, I don't like at all this kind of romance that seems to be forming between him and Lila. Their relationship doesn't make much sense (they have next to zero chemistry, and although I'm a huge fan a bickering couples in enemies-to-lovers normally, I don't get it there).
Lila was kinda boring. I don't think she's as smart and cunning as she makes herself out to be, which disappointed me because I'm usually a fan of unsympathetic or morally gray main characters, especially when it comes to women. (We need more badasses heroines... She was just trying to be a badass).
In fact, what I regret about this novel is its lack of nuance. It's "fine", I liked it, but it's not great, the ideas are nice, the characters are also nice but not great, the writing style is fluid and I like the slow progression, but this book is not nuanced enough.
The actions flow too easily, some dialogues sound false or unrealistic. I would have liked more conflicts (at least internal conflicts) or tension, more political intrigues and a subtler plot.
I know my review sounds negative, but I enjoyed this book. I just didn't LOVE it. And I'm a little disappointed because, for me, it didn't live up to its potential.

(I'm sorry for my mistakes, English isn't my 1st language)