Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Violence, Blood, Death, Addiction, Grief
A Gathering of Shadows
by V.E. Schwab
Book 2 in Shades of Magic
The Essen Tasch tournament arc is pure adrenaline, and watching Lila come into her power as a pirate-turned-competitor is immensely satisfying. The parallel storylines build tension like a pressure cooker.
goodreads 4.33/5 316 ratings
storykind_community 3.67/5 3 ratings
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A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Series statusCompleted series · 3 books
Spice1/5 · Slow-burn rivalry crackling with competitive energy - romance expressed through matched skill, stolen moments between tournaments, and the magnetic pull of someone who's your equal.
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Slow burn
- Mixed
- Low
- Slow-burn rivalry crackling with competitive energy - romance expressed through matched skill, stolen moments between tournaments, and the magnetic pull of someone who's your equal.
- Tension finally satisfied
- Brooding prince
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- Mutual pining
- Tension
- Addictive read
- Secretly soft
- Push and pull
- Longing glances
- Book hangover
- Reluctant hero
- Reluctant allies to lovers
- Anticipation
- Adrenaline rush
- Forbidden love
Fantasy promise
- Romantasy
- Royal court / palace
- Portal fantasy
- Witches/wizards/warlocks
- Games/trials romance
- Competition / games
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- Elementals
- Rivals competing
- Ship / at sea
- Secret heir/royalty
- Found family
- Hidden identity
- Competition romance
Reading experience
- Multi-POV
- Medium
- Adventurous
- Atmospheric
- Moderate
- Morally gray
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- Queer
- Immersive
- General badass
- Bisexual MC
- Dark
- Cinematic
- Snarky/sarcastic
- BIPOC MC
- Intense
- Sharp
- Spy/thief
- Epic
- Dramatic
- Mysterious
- Tense
- Deadly trials
- Tournament arc
- Page turner
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Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Different because
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Different because
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Book details
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book