Summary
Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell's possessions. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift, and into Black London.
In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations fro the Element Games - an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy ties between neighboring countries - a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.
But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again - meaning another London must fall.
(Summary from Goodreads)
Review
I honestly feel as though I forgot how to breathe throughout this book! What is this sorcery, Schwab? I knew this book was going to mentally and physically torture me, but it beat A Darker Shade of Magic by ten folds - and I don't say that lightly. There's more action - on land and at sea, thanks to our very own wannabe pirate, Lila Bard.
Kell, my sweet cinnamon roll and Rhy, my other sweet cinnamon roll. They both slay me. Above all, brother relationships, also known as BrOTP ships kill me, I love them. Kell and Rhy are right there on the BrOTP level - right next to Blue and Ronan, Khalid and Jalal and countless others. A Gathering of shadows was more more character centered and I enjoyed it - we get more perspective from our beloved, roguish prince, Rhy and a new-comer - Lila's Captain, Alucard. Who isn't all he seems and has quite the history with my BrOTP - and holy shit it's an intense history that I did not expect but loved it.
The plot was stunning and gut-wrenching, clearly no matter how much you scream at the book... THEY WON'T LISTEN, HOW RUDE!!! If you need/want a book that will most definitely steal your heart and soul, and run away with them, then this book is just the right thing for you. I certainly expected *BEEP* to make a comeback, and boy was that some comeback! Oh, the pain, it won't leave. We learn so much more of all the London's and the past of the characters, and the witty banter slayed me so many times.
Schwab has done it again, and I'm not even surprised. I bet even her grocery list is just as eloquent as these books - I will read anything written by Schwab. To think this is the first book Schwab has written a cliffhanger for - why though? *cries buckets of tears* There's so many scene that bring back the pain and consequences of the events in A Darker Shade of Magic, and you see those changes mostly in Kell and Rhy A Gathering of Shadows brings forth the elemental game between the three countries - to keep the peace alive. The repercussions of previous events are still strong. So prepare to board on the never ending witty banter ship, for we must sail to another, grander, adventure that isn't for the faint hearted.
