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.
After having read her contemporary fantasy novel Vicious (highly recommended as well), I was feeling ready for this trilogy, and boy was I not disappointed!
There are three Londons on different planes (White, Red and Grey London) and only Antari (folks with a rare breed of magic) can travel between them.
We meet Kell (an Antari), Delilah Bard (cut-purse with issues), Alucard Emery (flamboyant, powerful pirate-mage) and Rhy Maresh (the crown prince of Red London).
The 4 protagonists have to deal with a strain of magic gone wild, threatening to consume all.
Although the world-building and magic are excellent, it's these 4 characters that really steal the show. They form the backbone of the story and make you care.
It's been a while since I read an "old fashioned" fantasy trilogy (although her style is actually very refreshing), but this one has me yearning for more like it.
Well done Ms. Schwab!! Loved it.
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This book made me believe that there was still another fantasy series out there that I could love again after loving The Magicians. The characters and the setting are so vibrant that I find myself thinking about traveling to all the different Londons way too often. I liked this book so much that I soon will own two copies of it, so that should say something.