I am not exaggerating when I say that I loved the first two books. And the way the second book ended, I could not wait to get started on this third one. As expected, it did not disappoint at all. V. E. Schwab manages to make every page of the book interesting. Without giving anything away (I hope!) let me talk you through this amazing book!
Hey, If you have not read my reviews of the previous two books, find them here: A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows.
In A Gathering of Shadows, the stage was being set for a final confrontation between good vs evil, and A Conjuring Of Light delivers it — and how! The book starts off with a revelation that I think most of the readers would have been waiting for, and I had already guessed it would be so from the million hints the author had dropped. It is about Lila Bard, our badass heroine, but I won’t tell you what it is!
Lila rescues Kell from near death (I have forgotten how many times she’s done it now) after which she is an accepted, if not completely welcome, part of Red London. Speaking of which, Red London is in peril! While the city has been under attack before on various fronts, it has been a while and everyone is shocked speechless at this new enemy.
The shadows have gathered and it is up to Kell and Lila to banish them. The new and quite powerful enemy, Osaron calls himself a god though he is actually just an entity full of dark magic. He has reached Red London by manipulating Holland, after which the King of Red London imprisons Holland. Osaron, meanwhile, has rampaged throughout the city — his brand of magic overpowering the will of innocents and even staining the river Isle black. The only protection seems to be Antari blood and unfortunately Antaris are not available everywhere!
Kell and Holland seem to blame themselves for what has occurred but the great thing is how a rapport of sorts develops between these two characters — one who we’re forced to see as evil, and one the conventional hero. Kell believed in Holland and ask him for help. Lila is of course all ready to run headfirst into danger, but within her heart she does have some feelings for Kell. The book thoroughly explores the romance between these two and I for one, have gleefully read of the explosive chemistry of these two (Yep, I love those two together).
While Kell, Lila and Holland volunteer to go on a search to find out a way to defeat Osaron, Alucard Emery, who we were introduced to in the second book, gets ready to go with them. I had already been partial to Emery’s character from the last book, but this one just cemented it. While Rhy and Alucard doesn’t have an easy relationship, it is great to see them both try to work things out.
Also, huge shoutout to the author for creating a very natural homosexual relationship as part of the story. I have seen many of the books trying to forcefully write LGBTQ characters and it never does them justice. Schwab very easily manages to convince us of the love between Rhy and Alucard and I was rooting for them to be together all the way! But do they stay together, is the question. Another great thing is that the author manages to make all of the characters so full of life that we forget they aren’t real. From Holland’s recollections of his dark past, to the way Rhy grows from a reckless prince to responsible heir, to the King and Queen themselves fighting with all they have against an enemy much more powerful than either of them — everyone is real enough that we sympathize, cry and laugh with them on their circumstances.
With Osaron dedicated to destroying everything on his sights and with the neighbouring countries plotting against Red London in this difficult time, Kell, Lila and Rhy have a tough road in front of them. While Kell is determined to fulfil his duty to the Royal family, Lila is motivated by her love for Kell and adventures. Meanwhile Rhy has to pave his own way forward, without magic to help him, so that he can help his subjects any way he can.
Schwab designs the stunning conclusion to the trilogy so that we travel from London, to the Arnesian sea, to Grey London and more. We battle pirates and unknown foe and it all comes down to one great sacrifice. One thing is for sure — one of our beloved characters are going to die. But who? That remains to be seen. I hope the author decided to come back to this world, because I haven’t had enough of these characters. I especially love how she chose to end the story with “Anoshe”.
“Anoshe” in their language is the way they greet one another. Instead of goodbye, it signifies the start of something beautiful. It says ‘until another day’ because that shows hope and solace. It helps to get over the sadness of leaving something behind. It is not goodbye, but the certainty that nothing in future is certain. And in that uncertainty, there is hope for a better tomorrow! As I put down this book, that is what I choose to say to myself — anoshe. I hope I meet Kell and Lila again someday!
