The Fragile Threads of Power

July 10, 2023
Bestseller Schwab revisits the world of the Shades of Magic series—where multiple alternate Londons feud with one another—in the action-packed start to a new spin-off series. The lives of Kell Maresh, Delilah Bard, Alucard Emery, and King Rhy Maresh have changed much in the seven years since A Conjuring of Light concluded. When Rhy’s life is threatened, it will take the abilities of all to find his would-be assassins. Meanwhile, Schwab introduces Tesali “Tes” Ranek, whose talent for fixing things comes from her rare ability to see threads of magic and manipulate them to her will. Tes uses this skill to earn a living but keeps her powers a secret by inventing a powerful man to whom she claims to be merely an apprentice. When she’s presented with a piece of technology that could turn the tide of power in Red London, her world begins to waver—as do the walls keeping Grey London, White London, and Black London at bay. Schwab cleverly builds on her existing worlds, introducing new threats and expanding the magic system. The new characters captivate and the plot twists shock. While readers visiting the Shades of Magic universe for the first time may miss some nuance, fans will devour this exciting return.

August 1, 2023
Schwab (The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, 2020) is an experienced fantasy author capable of bringing the reader right into the world built in her novels. She writes with a sense of authority and mischief, letting her characters drive the action through intense plot to extremely satisfying conclusions. Her series, The Shades of Magic (starting with A Darker Shade of Magic, 2015), is a skillful demonstration of this, and now she begins a new series set in the same world. Old friends are brought back to life and new ones join the fray as Kell, Delilah Bard, Rhy Maresh, and Alucard Emery struggle to make sense of the changing rules of magic and the rebellion fermenting in their midst. A young queen named Kosika rules her kingdom with the iron fist of religious fervor, and a tinkerer named Tes fixes broken things using magic no one else can wield. Schwab wields her pen just as competently; The Fragile Threads of Power will entrance and delight fantasy readers everywhere. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Schwab's Shades of Magic series is megapopular with fantasy readers, and this new series, set in the same world, will garner much attention.

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Starred review from July 15, 2023
The opener for a new series set in Red, White, Grey, and Black London. It's been seven years since Kell, Lila, and Holland defeated the evil force known as Osaron. Lila has spent those seven years as captain of a ship, exploring her new magical world and occasionally spying for the Crown. Kell has spent them learning to fight with ordinary weapons now that wielding his magic causes him intense pain. Holland, of course, gave his life to defeat Osaron. But now a shadowy organization called the Hand is plotting against Kell's brother, King Rhy, and they've set their sights on a powerful magical object. Lila, Kell, Rhy, and Rhy's husband, Alucard, will all be drawn into new danger in their efforts to uncover the plot and protect their family. Meanwhile, a young girl named Tes with the rare ability to see and manipulate the threads of magic is hiding out in Red London, fixing magical objects--and Kosika, the young queen of White London, will do whatever it takes to restore her world's magic. Returning to the world of her fantastic A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) and its sequels, Schwab gives readers more of everything they love about that series: dynamic, unconventional characters; suspenseful plots; rich worldbuilding; and compelling relationships. New characters Tes and Kosika more than hold their own against returning fan favorites. Schwab's pacing is confident, assured, and the book weaves a masterful spell on the reader. A delicious treat for fans of the Shades of Magic series and a lush, suspenseful fantasy in its own right.

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