V.E. Schwab delivers another magically charged world-hopping adventure through parallel-universe Londons, this time centered on questions of home and identity. Picking up four months after the events of the first volume (A Darker Shade of Magic), this sequel finds Kell having trouble adjusting now that his life and the life of his adopted brother, Prince Rhy, are magically bound, causing them to share each other's physical and emotional feelings. Kell has dropped his occupation of Traveler from Red London to White and Gray Londons to keep Rhy safer, but feels caged. Delilah "Lila" Bard, the best thief on land or sea, has found a comfortable position as ship's thief to Alucard Emery, privateer captain of the Shadowspire, who teaches Lila to unleash her magical talent. All players come together again for the Essen Tasch, the Element Games, a magical combat tournament held between Londons. While Lila schemes to join the roster of competitors, Rhy talks Kell into competing in disguise. Embroiled in intrigue, flirtations and secrets aplenty, none of them realize an enemy presumed dead stalks their world from afar.
Lila shines as a tough, smart heroine with a flexible moral code, stealing an entire ship in the first chapter. Kell continues to feel like an outsider in his adopted family, while Lila struggles against her unfamiliar feelings of belonging on the Shadowspire. Schwab's detailed world-building and snappy dialogue continue to enchant, and she leaves readers on a cliffhanger sure to lead to an explosive series conclusion. --Jaclyn Fulwood