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A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1)
by V.E. Schwab (Pseudonym), Victoria Schwab (Goodreads Author)
4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 2,545 ratings · 735 reviews
Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

V. E. Schwab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Victoria (V. E.) Schwab (born July 7, 1987) is an American author known for her 2013 novel Vicious, and for her children's and young-adult fiction published under the name Victoria Schwab.

The Guardian called Vicious "a brilliant exploration of the superhero mythos and a riveting revenge thriller".[1] It received a starred review from Publishers Weekly,[2] which also named the novel one of its best books of 2013 for SF/Fantasy/Horror.[3] The American Library Association's Reference and User Services Association likewise awarded it the top fantasy book in their 2014 Reading List.[4] In late 2013 the rights for a film adaptation of Vicious were bought jointly by Story Mining & Supply Co and Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions.[5][6]

In 2014 Schwab signed a two-book deal with Tor Books.[3] Her next novel, A Darker Shade of Magic, was published in February 2015 and also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.[7]