The big concept in A Darker Shade of Magic is that there are four worlds, each with its own version of London, where they intersect. The protagonist Kell is one of two remaining Antari (magic people who can travel between the worlds) and finds himself caught up in a magical power struggle when the royal family of White London attempt to seize control of the other worlds.

It’s a great read for lovers of fantasy. The magic system is explained in just enough detail to satisfy, but not bore, the reader. I really don’t like when authors rely on soft magic systems, where the wizard or magician can just wave a staff and say some words and magic happens. I prefer to understand a little more about the origins of the magic and some of its parameters.

The story takes a long time to get going. The chapters are quite short and for the first 130 pages or so, it felt like nothing was happening but world-building, character introductions and brief scenes with mysterious dialogue between the characters. It felt like there were twenty prologues before the plot actually started. That is my only criticism, because the book was excellent once the story began.

After that, the pace was great, there was a lot of action and the events were interesting and entertaining. I really enjoyed the second half of the book and think it was a fab start to a trilogy.