A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)
***Description is spoiler for book 1 and book 2 of the Shades of Magic trilogy***
As darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire, the once precarious balance of power among the four Londons has reached its breaking point.
In the wake of tragedy, Kell--once assumed to be the last surviving Antari--begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. 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.
An ancient enemy returns to claim a city while a fallen hero tries to save a kingdom in decay. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.
Author: V.E. Schwab | Publisher: Tor Books
Rating: 4.5 / 5
“Anoshe was a word for strangers in the street, and lovers between meetings, for parents and children, friends and family. It softened the blow of leaving. Eased the strain of parting. A careful nod to the certainty of today, the mystery of tomorrow. When a friend left, with little chance of seeing home, they said anoshe. When a loved one was dying, they said anoshe. When corpses were burned, bodies given back to the earth and souls to the stream, those left grieving said anoshe.”
I loved A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows, so of course I was bound to love A Conjuring of Light. This was an absolutely epic conclusion to a trilogy that reminded me why I love to read stories about magic. Because at its core, the Shades of Magic trilogy is about magic.
I’ve read other reviews where people have said that they just don’t feel connected to these characters, or these worlds. They were disappointed by a lack of any major plot twists or left-field surprises. I completely disagree.
I see this trilogy as the fantasy adventure story you loved as a kid — but grown up. Yes, things feel a bit tidy. Yes, they unfold in a sort-of-traditional, save-the-world type of plot. But it was magical and adventurous and emotional, and that, in itself, was fulfilling for me as a reader.
This series made me feel good. But it also took me on a trip through things like suspense, and grief, and love, and duty.
Also, my heart bleeds for these characters. They feel like friends. Literally all of them. They have my heart.
If you love magic for magic’s sake, then this is a trilogy for you.