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Preview
  • A Darker Shade of Magic

  • Shades of Magic, Book 1
  • By: V. E. Schwab
  • Narrated by: Steven Crossley
  • Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (900 ratings)

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A Darker Shade of Magic

By: V. E. Schwab
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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Summary

A Darker Shade of Magic is the incredible first installment of the Shades of Magic series, from number one New York Times best-selling author V.E. Schwab.

Most people only know one London; but what if there were several? Kell is one of the last Travelers - magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel Londons. There’s Grey London, dirty and crowded and without magic, home to the mad king George III. There’s Red London, where life and magic are revered. Then, White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. But once upon a time, there was Black London....

©2015 V. E. Schwab (P)2015 Tantor
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Critic reviews

"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale...." (Deborah Harkeness)

What listeners say about A Darker Shade of Magic

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting characters

I thought this book was interesting. I found all the characters very intriguing apart from the main character, which is a shame.
The reader in my opinion did not suit the tone of this book.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The many faceted London…

I haven’t listened to a fantasy novel in ages, but this one had me searching for book 2 early on!
The complicated scenario of 3 Londons fascinated me.
The narrator made the book for me. His reading lead me into the story very quickly…so pleasing on the ear.
Sadly books 2 and 3 are by other narrators…but I will give book 2 a try…the acid test in story making…the voice or the narrative?
Well worth a listen!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

feels like a mix of his dark materials and lotr

loved it- narrator's voices were strange at times but overall amazing story and character building

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Different!

Held my interest, but sometimes found the narration a bit annoying. Are attempts at accents and gender differences wholly necessary I wonder? It does sometimes spoil your listening experience. A good story and a different perspective.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magical Londons!

Excellent storytelling with enjoyable hero and heroine agsinst evil villainy. Unfolds like a magician revealing a favourite card trick. Marvellous Schwab narrative.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Listen to the sample

did not enjoy the narrator. Liked the story, even though it felt more like s setup for the other books.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Did not like the character performance but good enough

Not sure why Lyla sounded like she was an annoying 12 year old when she’s almost the same age as Kell, I also thought the voices of characters were inconsistent and didn’t match the writing (aka not whispered when should be, wrong tone of voice, etc)

Good enough story though that I didn’t give up, though I almost did to read the words myself.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

really enjoyed it

Wasn't sure it was going to be for me but I really enjoyed it Not keen on the narration but tried not to let it get in the way of a good story

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Passable, felt quite shallow, narrator’s tone a little annoying

Book was “fine”. Listened all the way through but no surprises or real depth. Narrator was generally OK but some of the voices were quite irritating. Won’t bother with rest of the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really good

Wasn’t sure what to make of this as this is the first I’ve heard of the author. That being said I really enjoyed the story and the narration was great. Very clear differences between the scenes and the characters.

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