Tag: Fantasy

Fantasy

The Unmaking of June Farrow

There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that rearrange you. The Unmaking of June Farrow is the latter. It delivers a mesmerizing rural fantasy that proves love, legacy, and identity can defy even the laws of time.

The Unmaking of June Farrow

by Adrienne Young

Curses, Time Travel, & Enduring Love

The Unmaking of June Farrow

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The Unmaking of June Farrow

Adrienne Young

Magical Realism; Time Travel

315

October 17, 2023

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The Quick Look

There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that rearrange you. The Unmaking of June Farrow is the latter. It delivers a mesmerizing rural fantasy that proves love, legacy, and identity can defy even the laws of time. 

  • Themes: Generational curses, Time as a dimension of love, Breaking cycles, Memory, Destiny
  • Read If You Like: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Time Traveler’s Wife, or anything that whispers “love is stronger than time.”
  • Best for: Anyone craving a rich story about time, memory, and the power of love.
  • Skip if: You prefer linear narratives or strict realism.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
From the start, there’s a gripping, slow-burn mystery: Why do the Farrow women always go mad? What really happened to June’s mother? The answers unfurl steadily, with layer after layer peeling back to reveal a powerful story of resilience and choice. The time travel is handled elegantly—never gimmicky, always purposeful.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
June Farrow is unforgettable. She’s smart, determined, full of quiet longing and fierce love. Her journey through confusion, loss, and ultimately clarity makes her one of the most compelling protagonists in recent memory. Every supporting character—from the townsfolk of Jasper to the figures in alternate timelines—feels thoughtfully drawn, rooted in emotional realism.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
Adrienne Young’s prose is lyrical but grounded. There’s a softness to the way she describes June’s world, even as it bends and reshapes through time. The North Carolina setting is rich and immersive, anchoring the magical elements with a sense of real, lived-in place.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its heart, this is a novel about the choices we make and the legacies we carry. It explores how love can be both wound and balm, curse and cure. Young writes with incredible tenderness about grief, inheritance, identity, and what it means to break free of the past without losing the good in it.

PERSONAL TAKE:
Like Addie LaRue, June Farrow snuck up on me and absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. The twisty, time-bending plot hooked me, but it’s the emotional resonance and thematic weight that’ll stay with me. I finished the last page and just sat with it for a while. This is one I’ll be recommending to everyone. PLUS the book cover will look GOREGOUS on your shelf.

The Final Verdict

Elegant, haunting, and full of heart, The Unmaking of June Farrow is a rare gem—equal parts page-turner and soul-searcher. It’s not just a good book—it’s a memorable one.

A Conjuring of Light

A high-stakes, no-breaths-taken finale that delivers redemption, heartbreak, and triumph in equal measure—A Conjuring of Light is fantasy at its finest.

A Conjuring of Light

by V.E. Schwab

Magic Comes to Life and Demands Everything in Schwab's Fiery Finale (Darker Shades, book 3)

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

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A Conjuring of Light
Shades of Magic, book 3

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy; Pirates!

624

February 21, 2017

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The Quick Look

The threads of magic pull tighter, the stakes reach impossible heights, and V.E. Schwab delivers a final act that refuses to let go. A Conjuring of Light is the explosive, emotional finale this dazzling trilogy deserves. See our review of A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows.

  • Themes: Sacrifice, Power, Redemption, Legacy, Adventure
  • Read If You Like: Series finales with emotional payoff, found families, redemption arcs, or magical wars that pull no punches.
  • Best for: Readers of books 1 and 2 (don’t skip them!), fans of emotional arcs, and lovers of morally complex fantasy.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for a breezy, easy read—this one demands your full attention.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
From the very first page, A Conjuring of Light hits the gas—and never lets up. It picks up right where A Gathering of Shadows leaves off. Red London is in chaos, darkness is spreading, and our beloved characters are barely keeping their heads above water. Schwab crafts a tension-filled narrative that escalates to a roaring crescendo, with minimal downtime. It’s exhilarating—but exhausting. Then again, that’s kind of the point.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
This book is a gift to fans of the series. Every major player—Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard, Holland, even the royal parents—gets their moment to shine. Holland’s arc in particular is a masterclass in redemption, while Rhy begins to grow into the king he’s meant to be. Schwab’s strength in building emotionally complex characters is on full display here.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
There’s a lyrical confidence to Schwab’s prose. She writes magic like music—rhythmic, pulsing, and utterly alive. The world-building remains lush, but it’s the internal stakes that hit hardest. With so many POVs, you’d think it would get muddy, but it doesn’t. Each thread contributes to the emotional tapestry of the finale.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its core, this is a book about facing the darkness, both externally and within. Schwab asks what it costs to protect a world, to love fiercely, to fight for something even when it seems hopeless. There’s sacrifice, heartbreak, and triumph—but no cheap shortcuts.

PERSONAL TAKE:
While A Gathering of Shadows remains my personal favorite, A Conjuring of Light gave me what I needed: closure, catharsis, and a deep admiration for every character’s journey. My only critique? I wished for one or two moments of stillness to process everything—but that relentless pace is also what makes it feel real.

The Final Verdict

A powerful, fast-burning finale that closes the trilogy with all the fire, heart, and magic Schwab’s crafted from book one. A Conjuring of Light is a triumph of character and storytelling.

Best of all? The fun’s not over! The saga continues with The Fragile Threads of Power!

A Gathering of Shadows

Power is seductive—but balance is essential. In this dazzling sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab ups the stakes with a whirlwind of magic, identity, and ambition that refuses to be put down.

A Gathering of Shadows

by V.E. Schwab

Sparks Fly at the Essen Tach Tournament (Darker Shades of Magic, book 2)

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

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A Gathering of Shadows
Darker Shades of Magic, book 2

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy

509

February 23, 2016

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The Quick Look

Power is seductive—but balance is essential. In this dazzling sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab ups the stakes with a whirlwind of magic, identity, and ambition that refuses to be put down. 

  • Themes: Power & Sacrifice, Self-Discovery, Identity, Balance, Connection
  • Read If You Like: Magical tournaments (Think Tri-Wizard Tournament on steroids), high-stakes drama, morally complex mages, or anything that blends emotional depth with spellbinding adventure.
  • Best for: Fantasy lovers craving high-stakes competition, dynamic character growth, and richly imagined worlds.
  • Skip if: You haven’t read book one yet—this picks up threads that will land harder with context.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
If A Darker Shade of Magic was world-building with a flicker of plot, A Gathering of Shadows is where the series truly ignites. The introduction of the Essen Tach, an international magical tournament, injects irresistible tension and excitement. While political machinations simmer in the background, Schwab lets the character arcs shine—especially for Kell and Lila, who are each navigating what it means to belong.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
Lila Bard continues to be one of fantasy’s most compelling antiheroes—bold, reckless, deeply human. Kell’s inner turmoil and moral compass clash with the expectations of Red London (and the burden of living a life for his brother, Rhy), while new faces add spice to the ensemble (Alucard Emery, anyone?). Schwab excels at writing relationships that are as volatile and enchanting as the magic itself.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
This is where Schwab’s writing noticeably levels up. The prose is confident, the pacing tight, and the emotional beats hit harder than before. Whether she’s describing the shimmer of a magical duel or the ache of a quiet betrayal, every sentence feels like it belongs.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its core, A Gathering of Shadows is about the tension between identity and expectation—what it means to forge your own path, especially when the world wants to define you. It also explores how power corrupts, how relationships can anchor or unmoor you, and how magic is both a gift and a test.

PERSONAL TAKE:
I devoured this book. From the brilliant structure of the tournament to the emotional unraveling of beloved characters, I was hooked. Schwab’s evolution as a storyteller is on full display here, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

The Final Verdict

A rare sequel that surpasses its predecessor, A Gathering of Shadows delivers everything you want in a fantasy novel—magic, heart, betrayal, identity, and just enough cliffhanger to make you immediately reach for book three (our review here).

A Darker Shade of Magic

Witness the corrupting power of magic in the world-building debut featuring intriguing characters, spellbinding magic, and fascinating worlds.

A Darker Shade of Magic

by V.E. Schwab

One Coat, Four Londons, and a Menagerie of Memorable Characters

Darker Shades #1: A Darker Shade of Magic

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A Darker Shade of Magic
(Shades of Magic, book 1)

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy

400

February 24, 2015

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The Quick Look

What if there were parallel Londons separated by magic doors only accessible by special blood magic users—each with its own rules, magic, culture, and dangers? In A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab crafts a multiverse fantasy that’s equal parts richly imagined and irresistibly dangerous. 

  • Themes: Power, Corruption, Identity, Balance
  • Read If You Like: The Magicians, Six of Crows, or multiversal blood magic with royals, pirates, and thieves!
  • Best for: Fantasy fans craving immersive worldbuilding and character-driven magic.
  • Skip if: You’re not ready to commit to a trilogy or you struggle with slower starts.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
The story centers on Kell Maresh, one of the last Antari who can travel between four parallel Londons: the rich and thriving Red London (Kell’s home), the harsh and violent White London, the magic-less Grey London (this is where we live), and the destroyed and sealed-off Black London. When he accidentally smuggles a dangerous artifact back to Red London, chaos follows—and so does Lila Bard, a pickpocket with daggers, dreams, and a death wish. The pacing is steady, occasionally slow, but always driving toward something bigger.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
Kell and Lila are both immediately magnetic. Kell is burdened by duty and scarred by secrets. Lila’s amazingly reckless, bold, and impossible not to root for. Rhy, Kell’s royal brother, adds warmth and charm that hints at deeper layers. These characters make the book. Schwab excels at crafting people you want to follow, even when you’re not sure where they’re going.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
If you came from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue expecting lush, lyrical prose, you might feel a little whiplash—this is an earlier Schwab, and the writing reflects that. But what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in vision. Red London in particular is vivid, rich, and alive. You’ll wish you could step through the door with Kell.

THEMES & DEPTH:
This is a story about power—who wields it, who yields to it, and how easily it can twist the strongest of wills. The multiverse structure isn’t just for spectacle; it’s a reflection of imbalance, desire, and danger. You can feel the edges of deeper questions being sharpened for later books (Just what exactly happened in Black London and why is it sealed off???).

PERSONAL TAKE:
At first, I wasn’t entirely sold. Coming off of Addie LaRue, this felt like a step back in style. But then the world started to bloom, the characters took over, and by the end, I was in. Fully in. If this were a standalone, I might have hesitated to recommend it—but as the opening of a trilogy? Absolutely. Read it. Stick with it. The series becomes something truly special.

The Final Verdict

A rich, imaginative start to a multiverse fantasy filled with vivid worlds and unforgettable characters. The prose may be early-career Schwab, but the magic? Already fully formed.

Ready to dive into book 2? Read our review of A Gathering of Shadows.