Kell is a character from the novel "A Darker Shade of Magic" written by V.E. Schwab. The story is set in a universe where there are four different parallel versions of London, each with its own unique characteristics and levels of magic. Kell is one of the few remaining Antari, a magician with the ability to travel between these parallel Londons. Kell serves as an ambassador for Red London, the most magical and prosperous of the four Londons.
“He’s my second mate, Your Majesty.” Answered Alucard.
Although Kell is in pain because Rhy is stabbed by ice , he manages to transport himself, Lila and Holland back to the palace and discovers that the king and queen are death. They return and Rhy will go outside to look for survivors and Lila will go with him to make sure he doesn t get harmed, which is a lie and they split up.
Kell serves as an ambassador for Red London, the most magical and prosperous of the four Londons. However, he also has a dangerous hobby - smuggling magical artifacts from one London to another. This hobby eventually leads him into a series of adventures and confrontations with dark forces.
Kell a darker shade of magic
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab Publisher: Tor
Published: February 2015
Genre: fantasy
Rating: ★★★★★
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.
This isn’t so much a review as it is a journey of my experience with Schwab’s writing and this book in particular. In the spring of 2014, I went to a book signing for Schwab’s YA duology. I’d read The Archived for my graduate thesis and wanted to meet her. At that event she talked about a book about “pirates, thieves, and sadist kings” that would be published in the next year or so. Then this came out, the world exploded with hype, and I avoided it like the plague—because more often than not, hyped books disappoint me. I wanted to read it away from all that. Fast forward to fall 2019 when an Instagram friend read it for the first time. She was separated from the hype, and loved it to pieces. At this point I figured it was safe…so I bought it, and like many books, it sat unread on my shelves till now. I shouldn’t have been so worried or afraid. But at the same time, I don’t regret waiting so long to read this book. I think I can appreciate it more now, absorb and cherish it better than I could have in the middle of the hype. Schwab infuses the magic of her world into every single carefully written word. Her language evokes the atmosphere, her words propel the narrative, the diction and syntax so purposefully crafted that I felt transported immediately in the first chapter. Her characters are so well-developed in the way she shows their actions and movements and interactions with others, there wasn’t a single moment of telling or explanation for behavior or history. The world/s is/are so lush and vibrant and beautiful—even in the Grey and White—and yet she managed to craft them with little description. I’m in awe. She evoked all the senses in her writing and not once did I feel bogged down by the narrative, or annoyed with the dialogue, or frustrated with the pacing. It was all so perfectly, exquisitely written. A wholly unique experience. I loved this with every fiber of my being. I’m excited to learn more about Kell and Lila on this next adventure in the Shades of Magic trilogy. This is one of a kind!
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Kell is one of the last Antari―magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Officially he serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador. Unofficially he’s a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.
A Gathering Of Shadows
Four months have passed since the events of Darker Shade. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games-an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned—meaning that another London must fall.
A Conjuring Of Light
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. Who will crumble? Who will rise? And who will take control?
Kell is described as having black hair and an eye color that changes with his mood - one eye is bright blue, while the other is a deep, obsidian black. His distinctive feature is a coat that also acts as a magical cloak, allowing him to hide his true appearance. Kell is portrayed as reserved and somewhat aloof, with a mysterious past that is gradually revealed throughout the book. One of the central conflicts in the story involves Kell's discovery of a rare, forbidden object from Black London, a dark and dangerous version of the city. This object unleashes a series of events that threaten the balance of power between the different Londons and put Kell's life in danger. Throughout the novel, Kell forms an unlikely alliance with a cross-dressing thief named Delilah Bard, who becomes an important figure in his life and joins him in his quest to defeat the dark forces threatening the Londons. Together, they navigate treacherous waters, face powerful enemies, and uncover secrets that could change their world forever. "A Darker Shade of Magic" is a thrilling and captivating story that combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery. Kell's character is at the center of the narrative, and his journey serves as a fascinating exploration of power, identity, and the consequences of one's actions. The novel's intricate world-building, richly imagined settings, and complex characters make it a must-read for fans of fantasy literature..
Reviews for "The Legacy of A Darker Shade of Magic: Fan Theories and Speculations"
1. Ella - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "A Darker Shade of Magic" after hearing so many positive reviews, but I ended up feeling disappointed. The world-building was intriguing, but the plot fell flat for me. The characters, especially the main protagonist Kell, lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged on for too long. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and didn't live up to the hype.
2. Alex - 3 stars - While the concept of parallel London's and multiple dimensions was captivating, I couldn't overlook the flaws in "A Darker Shade of Magic." The writing style was clunky and repetitive, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. I also found the magic system to be confusing and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The romance, which seemed forced and lacking chemistry, added unnecessary filler to the plot. Despite its potential, this book didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I struggled to finish "A Darker Shade of Magic" due to its slow pace and lack of engaging characters. Kell, the main protagonist, felt one-dimensional and lacked any real development throughout the story. The plot dragged on, making it difficult to maintain my interest. Additionally, I found the world-building to be excessive and overwhelming, with too much emphasis on unnecessary details. Overall, this book didn't capture my attention, and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a gripping fantasy read.