Reading My First V.E. Schwab Book in 2024

I’ve heard some amazing things about V.E. Schwab. So when I saw this book on display at a casual study session at my local library, I had to pick it up.

That is something I do frequently. Thus, I began to read this book without the knowledge that it was in fact, the 4th book in a series, only with the anticipation of immersing myself in Victoria Schwab’s elaborate worldbuilding and storytelling.

Turns out, you don’t need to read the prior books to enjoy this book. (It took a shorter time for me to understand the world than reading King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, the first book I picked up in the Grishaverse)

The book:

Is definitely up there in the best fantasies I’ve ever read. That is to say, I plan to read so many more adult fantasy series this year. Before, I’ve mostly read YA fantasy or just fiction in general, and the recent transition has been satisfying. This background may affect my thoughts on the book.

Onto the actual content of the book:

The story entails a quest to find the “doormaker” or technically speaking, a portal between worlds, that could be used by rebels known as the Hand to overthrow the regime. The regime led by a king without magic named Rhy Maresh in Red London, where fears of magic, widespread in that London, are spreading.

The world of three Londons is extremely satisfying to read- While there are frequent time jumps and transitions between narratives that take place in different Londons, it felt so real. Furthermore, it feels like a twist on parallel universes where the parallel universes exist along with each other rather than independently, and in a magical context. The parallel universes seem to justify the “walls” and “doors” between the Londons.

My favorite character was Tes, of course. Her character was justifiable as a girl her age would have and I love her backstory. It contrasted well with the hyper-powerful and somewhat stuck up adults that are the rest of the protagonists. Their age allows them to bully her around but she still possesses a good deal of power due to her rare ability.

Aaaaand I found Lila mildly annoying. After all, how can this woman be so successful, powerful, and well-know in her world while still lacking basic anger management skills?? That said, I liked reading about the parts where she would be a bigger person and set her anger aside.

I live for Rhylucard (name retrieved from other Goodreads reviews). The relationship between Rhy, the queen Nadiya, and his consort Alucard is unlike any that I’ve read before. As far as my range of reading goes, this portrayal of this kind of relationship is incredibly unique. (Which is considering the fact I’m not as well read as I wish I was)

(Insert beautiful fanart that I’m not sure if I could add?)

It instantly made me think of Iron Widow, where the love triangle of sorts was “solved” by polyamory. This, however, is different, because Rhy and Nadiya are not lovers, but rather partners in being the rulers of London, while Rhy and Alucard are lovers. Furthermore, I see the most important part of Alucard and Nadiya’s is their co-parenting of Ren.

The romance is definitely not the main plot of the story, but they don’t hold back and there aren’t many conflicts that arise, which allows room for the fast-paced adventure to take center stage.

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The book design was gorgeous. It enticed me right off the bat, and is something a good high fantasy book should always have. It just made reading it all the more enjoyable.

Overall, after reading this, I need to go back and read the Shades of Magic series. I can’t get enough of the three (four) Londons. I highly recommend this book to anyone and especially those who love to get immersed in a hyper-realistic fantasy world, and yet another twist on “magic.”

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