The Fragile Threads of Power

The Fragile Threads of Power is the first book in a high fantasy series by V. E. Schwab. It follows the Shades of Magic trilogy: A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, and A Conjuring of Light. The Shades of Magic novels take place in a universe where magic is real, and there are four worlds, connected by the cities of London. Red London is pulsing with magic, Grey London is an analog of Georgian London and has no magic, White London is starving for magic, and Black London is corrupted and burnt out.

The series follows the adventures of Kell Maresh, who is a powerful magician called an Antari. The Antari are the only ones able to travel between worlds. Kell is the adopted son of the rulers of Red London and works for the crown as a messenger. In Grey London, he meets a thief named Delilah “Lila” Bard, who dreams of more than her bitter existence on the streets. When Kell smuggles an artifact from Black London into his world, he starts a collision course with Lila and with Holland Vosijk, an Antari living in White London. Holland serves the corrupt and power-hungry rulers of London, the Dane twins. Working together, Kell and Lila manage to defeat Holland and kill the Dane twins, rescuing Red London. Kell stays with his adopted family in Red London while Lila sets off to explore the world now that she has discovered her own magic.

Lila joins a pirate ship run by Alucard Emery, a disgraced noble and former love of Rhy Maresh, the prince and Kell’s adopted brother. Alucard teaches Lila to use her magic, and she works as a thief for his ship. Lila’s and Kell’s paths cross again when the Maresh throne decides to hold the Element Games, and Lila enters as a competitor.

Unbeknownst to the characters in Red London, Holland did not die. Instead, he wound up in Black London, where he was offered a bargain by Osaron, a magical creature who lived there. Osaron, a being of pure magic, tried to be the god of Black London, but his power destroyed the city. He tells Holland that he will save White London if Holland lets Osaron possess his body. Holland agrees, and magic comes back to White London. However, Osaron is not content with one world and invades Red London as well. His magic floods the river and the blood of magic workers in Red London. Many who fight him are killed, including Rhy’s parents and Alucard’s beloved little sister. Others accept Osaron and suffer no harm.

Ultimately, Osaron is defeated by Kell, Lila, and Holland, who use a device to share their Antari powers. Holland dies in the battle, and Kell is severely wounded, severed from his magical abilities. He can no longer use them without great pain. He and Lila decide to leave London and travel the seas, with Lila captaining Alucard’s ship. Alucard stays to make a life with the newly crowned Rhy, and balance between the four Londons seems to be restored.