Book Review: A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

I had such high hopes for the finale to one of my favorite trilogies and luckily for me, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3) by V.E. Schwab, didn’t disappoint!

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.

THE GOOD

• Pacing –  Typically finale books tend to be nonstop action due to the ultimate climax, however, Schwab did an even better job by ensuring that none of the characters suffered from a tedious storyline. I was fully engrossed in all of the different POVs which isn’t always the case.
• Not All Rainbows & Sunshine – Call me a glutton for punishment, but I can always appreciate a book more when things don’t end perfectly for everyone. I want to have a deeper emotional connection with the books that I read and I personally find that happens more often when the happy endings are bittersweet. It’s just so much more realistic for me. Am I the only one who feels this way?!
• The Characters – All of the characters had huge development curves in this book. There was so much growth for Rhy that I felt was done extremely well. I also really enjoyed getting to know more about Holland and his life. I actually wish we could’ve gotten even more of him as he was such a complex character. And of course Lila, Kell, and Alucard are still perfect.
• IT’S JUST BLOODY PERFECT.

THE BAD

• Really? HA!

Honestly, if you haven’t gotten around to reading this trilogy then I highly recommend it. The first book didn’t immediately convince me but after the sequel, I was in love. This is one of those series that grows on you until one day you become obsessed (just like I did!). I promise that it won’t disappoint you!

Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Have you read A Conjuring of Light? What did you think of it? Did it live up to your expectations?