Gallant by V.E. Schwab

The characters. The world building. VE Schwab always wrecks me. Making me feel things. Don't act surprised. 
It's the non-verbal character with sign language, the diary/journal/letters, the drawings, and the family for me. 
Mentions Master of the House: 

I'm just gonna go...cry..
352 Pages

The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

Schwab makes me so anxious because she wrecks me with her stories.
Ok but like...Hunger Games vibes of the mom and the sisters. And then the Rise of the Guardian (Dreamworks) vibes and Hocus Pocus vibes.
...I'm just gonna be over here crying....because I love them. They're perfect for each other and I can't... I don't have the strength.
320 Pages

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

I love Rhy. Like. I love him. So much. He deserves the world. He is too pure. Cinnamon roll
And Kell. He cool. 
Aaaaaand my pirate son Alucard Emery. 
Lila is such a queen and honestly. We stan. I would die for her. 

When you read a lot of V.E. Schwab and then realize that she emotionally wrecks you and the endings are....like that.. and now you concerned. 
I still love the magic system; I love the new characters, and I love character growth...frick.
So that gave me some FMA Brotherhood vibes....
640 Pages

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

(I'VE MET MY READING GOAL FOR THE YEAR).
I honestly checked this book out because V.E. Schwab plus long line. for a digital copy (yes I jump on bandwagons)...And now I'm an emotional wreck. My history nerd is geeking out, and my English major with my love of the arts is geeking out. 
This writing style is really pretty. I really liked how the timelines were weaved together. 
Also I'm sad now. How dare they make me feel things. 
The bi-cons.
I feel personally attacked by this book. How dare there be characters that I relate to on a spiritual level. 
MY BIRTHDAY GOT A DATE. AND I WAS ALIVE THEN. ahhhh I was 18.
And my sister's birthday! Oh my gosh... (June 13)
....why are there always cute boys...
Ok but Henry... I love him...like....I relate to him so much...All of his struggles and feelings, and I can't. He is me, but older (and you know, a guy). Send help.. Can I keep him? 
Like.... struggling with the idea of being known and loved and seen, and being remembered, and being free. 
And the idea of stories and words and I can't.
I do not have words to describe all of my feelings about this book. I am wrecked and I don't know how I will recover from this... Guys...I need someone to scream about this with.....Guys?
V.E. Schwab has murdered me.
448 Pages

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

"We're all here for a reason. Some reasons are just bigger than others."
I love my Prince, Rhy. He is too good for this world. He needs a hug and a nap. He deserves so much better. I would die for him.
I love the competition and the pirates and I could go on and on. I just love the plot and the characters and the feels. 
Kell, honey....
Lila is so fierce. 
I am so stressed for the next book.
512 Pages

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

So I love this magic system and the different Londons. If I'm here for anything, it's for the world building and the sass. 

Kell is...amazing...just like..

THE MAGIC COAT Y'ALL.

I love Lila and her sass and her sense of adventure and the way that she holds herself in the world.
416 Pages

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The world and concept are so unique in this 2nd book of a YA monster-filled duology.

It explores the very concept of what humanity is and whether or not those traits are inherent to only humans, or just higher lifeforms in general. There's also a brand new monster that is rather chilling in the way it feeds on humans.

For me, the story drug on at times, and I could have used some more compelling forward motion. The characters are indeed fascinating, both monsters and humans alike, but I haven't found my groove with V.E. Schwab yet. She has some of the most fascinating concepts and brilliant worlds ever, but I'm unable to fully immerse myself into the stories for some reason. I can't seem to let go and exist insider her stories and worlds the way I want to, and I'm not sure why. I think it is probably something unique to me. So far, I have read all of her books by audiobook, so perhaps I need to try her out in print, in case that makes any difference...give myself a bit more time and head space to take the stories in at my own rate.

Overall, it's a solid read with a satisfying and realistic ending.

Pages: 510

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The fans for this book series are wild and devoted and fill up my twitter thread on a daily basis. I wanted to love this to the extremes that they do, but I’m not quite there yet. It’s possible it is something that will creep up on me in time. I'm hopeful for that.

I do adore the story and characters, and the world is fascinating. I listened to this on audiobook, and I think perhaps I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to read this book (maybe to read any book), as I was continually distracted and had to rewind a lot. That might have curbed my overall enjoyment, so I’m willing to suggest that if I reread this in print, my stars might increase.

I’ll definitely read the next two books, once I get my hands on those.

Overall, this is a good YA fantasy with creative magic, solid world building, and quirky, lovable characters. Two thumbs up and four sparkly stars.

Pages: 400