Review: A Gathering of Shadows // A Brilliant Sequel to an Incredible Story!

RATING : 

NO SPOILERS!

In case you haven’t noticed, I might or might not be OBSESSED with A Darker Shade of Magic (spoiler: I AM!) so naturally I started this book with soaring expectations. Did it live up to my expectations? Well… at some point, YES, but also NO. Let’s see… where do I even begin?

I was expecting it to be MORE INTENSE than its prequel but it was so so so SLOW! ADSOM was also slow but this was slower than even I anticipated. I was getting impatient and frankly bored at some points. I was like… “Whatever it is just happen already!”. It wasn’t until 60% of the book that we got to see ‘real’ actions. The first half of the book were kind of build-ups to the real plot. I honestly thought that 508 pages might be a little too long.

But the strange thing is, despite its slow pace, I still found this book extremely page-turning. Like, I literally couldn’t put this book down. I planned to stop reading to eat but I kept telling myself ‘one more chapter’ and ended up eating my lunch 1.5 hours later than I had planned to.

The plot was (again) incredibly brilliant. I was marveled by the way Schwab planned the story and even more in awe by the way she revealed it to us. S.H.O.C.K.I.N.G. The plot twists are admirable and at this point of the story, nothing is impossible. And just like the first book, I could tell that everything is carefully planned. Despite all the shocking twists, we knew that it is what Schwab intended, there’s absolutely nothing random in it. We also got more glimpse to how the world and the magic system work.

A Gathering of Shadows is so much more driven by the characters than the plot itself. Not only we could get to know our main characters more, we were also introduced to some new but equally interesting characters.

Kell is still and always will be my #1 favorite. I could understand him better in this book. His restlessness, stubbornness, eagerness for power, and strict attitudes are forever present. He’s also scowling and frowning all the time, which is funny and annoying at the same time. If I were Lila or Rhy, I would definitely do what they do = tease him relentlessly 😛 I could also feel how it was for him to be ‘trapped’ and his struggle with Rhy, Lila, and the king really broke my heart. The way everybody treated him broke my heart, actually. I cried reading the part when the king and queen treated him as a prisoner, so mean

Rhy, on the other hand, is so sweet and utterly charming. He’s reckless but at the same time very thorough. I’m not gonna lie, I resent him for whatever misery Kell had to go through because of him, BUT I could not hate him. He’s too precious and he has his own problem to deal with. I mean, to think of his naivety and his love for the people around him. Also, Rhy + Kell = best brotherly relationship ever ♥

Lila was as reckless as ever. Too reckless, in fact, that I was beginning to dislike her just a little bit. I don’t mind my heroine having skills and confidence and seeking trouble all the time, but this girl had a death wish and not shy to bring other people down with her. I found myself agreeing with Kell, Tieren, and Allucard when Lila’s power was concerned. And I actually didn’t think she could be that powerful. I really hope book 3 would provide an explanation to why she became what she became.

P.S. I shipped Kell and Lila so hard and also Rhy and his former lover ♥♥♥

This book also had a very, very cruel ending. THAT CLIFFHANGER??! I mean… the ‘real’ stuffs only began at the last few chapters and then it ended just like that??? I was expecting more so not gonna lie, I was shocked and a bit annoyed. I’m just gonna forget that I read this book until book 3 comes out next year.

As always, the writing is brilliant and I have nothing more to say about it. V.E. Schwab is an amazing storyteller and I really can’t wait to see what she planned for A Conjuring of Light! 😀

Have you read A Gathering of Shadows? What do you think about it?

Did the pace bother you? Did the plot twists shock you? Did you ship Lila and Kell?? TELL ME EVERYTHING!! I seriously can’t wait for book 3 and I’d love to hear your thoughts! ♥ Let’s discuss it, but as always, let’s steer clear from spoilers so there won’t be any unsolicited spoilers for those who haven’t read the book 🙂 

P.S. If you haven’t started reading this series, go do it NOW!! 😛

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