Tried to get back into the world, but it sadly did not work for me. I will reread the original series and then get back to this book and update my review accordingly

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto an old device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

Yet again I have fallen in love with a V.E. Schwab book. The Darker Shades of Magic trilogy was amazing, and i finally got to read it during Covid so all these years later getting to go back into this world and seeing these characters again lovely

The Fragile Threads of Power did not disappoint at all

Thank you for this earc

4.5/5 stars! This is the first book in the Threads of Power series, (which is in the same world as the Darker Shade of Magic trilogy), by author Victoria Schwab. As someone that loved the original trilogy, I was excited for a new adventure in this world. It was so cool to follow Tess in this London and watching her recognize the threads of power. I was surprised by how quickly it pulled me in and I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next book in this world.

Increadible book! So imaginative and just utterly brilliant which is not a surprise when it comes to V.E. Schwab, she always delivers!

I absolutely loved it and I can't believe it's taken me so long to read Schwab's fantasy. Diving backwards into ADSOM now before the next one is out!

Thanks to NG for the eArc!

5 lins

MISS V E SCHWAB YOU CAN DO NO WRONG!
This was everything to me! I have read the original trilogy so so many times so I was absolutely thrilled to read this and see what everyone has been up to. I adored it SO much, oh how I've missed these characters and London!
I can't wait to see what's next...

Fast paced and utterly brilliant. Schwab doesn’t disappoint by taking back into the Shades of Magic universe. Cannot wait for the next instalment!

A truly masterful blending of all our favourite characters with a totally new storyline and new characters. All the relevant information is repeated, but so by the way, that it didn't feel like repetition. I'm definitely curious, if there will be more from that particular world.

Thank you for my earc of this book. I’m always excited but apprehensive when there’s a new book exploring a beloved world. I think this was a worthy addition, though I did find myself struggling to get back into it at times

This and Gallant from V E Schwab have been very poor in my opinion. I loved her foray into adult writing which produced the invisible life of Addie Larue - an absolute work of art. However, her continued work in the YA genre is just stale and feels like a retelling the same story over and over - the fragile threads of power may think of itself as for the adult audience but it is definitely young adult.

I absolutely loved being back in this world! The Darker Shades of Magic trilogy is one of my favourite series and it felt really comforting to be back with the same characters Inknow, and seeing their new adventures, years in the future.

I also loved getting to know the new characters, and how the world has changed since the third book in the original trilogy.

THE FEELS! This book had me feeling every emotion there is, I was happy, I was sad, I was screaming. VE Schwab knows how to write a book!

I loved this book and I am really looking forward to seeing what Schwab comes out with next!

I will begin by saying the Shades of Magic series is one of my favourite worlds to be in. I can read that trilogy endlessly and wish I was there, but unfortunately I struggled with the set up of this one a bit, though I did love where it went.

That said, I now that we're on the other side of book 1, I can't wait to see where Schwab takes this!
Highlights:
Kell & Lila's exploration of the world (and each other)
Kell's training montages
Rhy & Alucard as fathers
and their daughter is adorable
Tess- a brilliant new character, with a fantastic power.

Like putting on an old favorite pair of fuzzy socks you thought you’d lost.

V. E. Schwab’s newest addition to her formidable oeuvre delighted me. The Fragile Threads of Power is a follow-on of her wildly successful Shades of Magic series that follows the four Londons seven years after Lila, Kell, and Rhy save Red London from the encroaching terrors of Black London. Now, seemingly, the Londons have gained a new balance and the trio’s biggest problems are healing from the trauma of an inter-dimensional war and interstate politics. They are, however, about to be thrown back into a cauldron of turmoil.

The mix of new characters interspersed with familiar favorites keeps the narrative from feeling stale. The characters we know from the original trilogy still have immense growth ahead of them (processing all that trauma – if you know, you know) and it never feels like they or Schwab are coasting on previous books. The two main additions are Kosika, the young new queen of White London, and Tes, a shopkeeper who fixes magical items. They both have a rich backstory that we have hints about in this book and will [presumably] be explored as the series continues.

“The threads of power shone so bright that no place in the world was ever truly dark.”

I was sad to see this book did not perform as well as I had hoped, but for those of us who love the original trilogy, this book brought back the world-building we already love with a new threat to the balance of power. The origins of the new threat are different to that of the first trilogy, but the origins of the political movements that oppose the Maresh dynasty in Red London can be traced back to the internal politics during Shades of Magic, giving continuity to the fantasy world’s politics. I am also impressed that the inter- and intra-state politics feel so real and relatable to me – I have a degree in international relations and often feel that fictional politics, especially in fantasy, should be fleshed out more.

I won’t elaborate further for spoiler purposes, but I am ready to be emotionally toyed with and devastated again. Book 2 isn’t out until 2025.

The Fragile Threads of Power" by V.E. Schwab is an absolute gem in the realm of fantasy literature. Schwab's masterful storytelling weaves a tapestry of intrigue, magic, and unforgettable characters that will keep you utterly captivated from start to finish.

One of the most striking aspects of this novel is Schwab's ability to create a rich and immersive world. From the intricate political machinations to the vibrant magical elements, every detail feels meticulously crafted, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and wholly unique.

But it's not just the world-building that shines in "The Fragile Threads of Power." The characters are truly the heart of the story. Schwab has a gift for creating complex and multifaceted characters that leap off the page, each with their own motivations, flaws, and inner conflicts. Whether it's the cunning protagonist navigating the treacherous waters of court intrigue or the enigmatic mage with a mysterious past, every character feels fully realized and utterly compelling.

Beyond its immersive world and captivating characters, "The Fragile Threads of Power" also delivers a riveting plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With twists and turns aplenty, Schwab keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher, ensuring that you won't be able to put the book down until you've reached the breathtaking conclusion.

In short, "The Fragile Threads of Power" is a must-read for any fantasy fan. With its lush world-building, unforgettable characters, and gripping plot, it's a book that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page. I love returning to this universe after the Shades of Magic trilogy. Oh I've missed so much Kell, Lila, Rhy and Alucard ! Thank you, Victoria.

Rhy sits on the throne of Red London with his queen and his consort at his sides, Kel and Lila sail the seas, a child queen sits on the throne of White London, and a powerful object capable of unimaginable destruction falls into the hands of a young runaway with a rare power to manipulate the threads of magic.
I went into this cautiously optimistic as the Shades of Magic trilogy is one of my all time favourite fantasy series and its characters are very dear to me, but this honestly exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t a gratuitous continuation of this series for no other reason than just to continue it, it had real substance.
Schwab does such justice to the characters of the original trilogy while also managing to introduce and make integral to the narrative a number of new characters - a tricky balance but it really pays off.
Returning to this world and its characters years after the ending of Conjuring of Light was honestly a wonderful experience. The characters have matured and settled into their lives in the aftermath of the events of the Shades trilogy, and Schwab weaves in little glimpses of the interim years to see how they’ve come to be where they are now. All of their interactions with each other had me absolutely enthralled, I was savouring each and every fleeting glance and word.
The expansion on the magic system in this book was expertly handled. I came into this fresh off a reread of the original trilogy, so seeing the little hints there at the potential for more, beyond our characters abilities, knowing it was going to be explored here was really satisfying.
Which brings me to Tes, the young runaway with the ability to manipulate the threads of power of this world. The sequences where she uses her abilities to construct and deconstruct magical objects were so vivid and enjoyable to read. I thoroughly enjoyed her character and am very excited to see what her powers and personality are going to bring to this new trilogy.
Overall, what really shone for me in this story is that it is so clearly a labour of love. Schwab’s love for these characters and this world is so apparent in every single detail, which makes reading it just an absolute joy.
A worthy instalment to an already incredible fantasy world, and I’m already impatient for the next.
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

V. E. Schwab never misses. Haven't yet read a book by her that did not became one of my all time favourites. Again, highly recommend.

Seven years after the Shades of Magic trilogy finale, we return to Red, White, Grey and Black London.⁠
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In Red London, the reign of Rhy Maresh is threatened by the elusive organisation called the Hand, which is concerned with the vanishing of magic, which they blame on Rhy’s lack of magical talent. At the same time, a young girl with incredible abilities gets into possession of a device that can alter the fate of the worlds.⁠
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Meanwhile, in White London, a new queen rises, willing to bleed to restore her city…⁠
Reading The Fragile Threads of Power was a fantastic opportunity to revisit one of my favourite fictional worlds. VE Schwab left a door open in the Shades of Magic series, allowing a smooth transition into this new trilogy. I loved finding out what happened to the characters after the finale of A Conjuring of Magic. The novel also adds some fascinating new characters and an exciting storyline. It is filled with action and magic. Despite many retrospectives and introductory information necessary in the first part of the series, the pacing was perfect. ⁠
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I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

I love VE Schwab, and I love this series of books, so had been looking forward to reading this. It did not disappoint. Loved it. Very well written

Absolutely loved this! A super exciting continuation of The Darker Shade of Magic series - I'm so excited to see all the characters again. This is a fantastic start to the next few books and I'm excited to see what happens next - so many cliff hangers! What's going to happen?