"I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still." 
 Well, I finally got around to reading A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC. ( It's about time, Alise.) It's only been a year since this came out but it seems like much longer since everyone seems to love this one. Of course, I always tend to fear the hype and I was hesitant I wasn't going to like this. Once I read my friend Anissa's review at She Reads Too Much, I knew I was going to love ADSOM. (We have pretty similar taste in books.) 
 This is world building! After being disappointed by the world building in nearly all my fantasy reads this year, ADSOM delivered just what I needed. The world revolves around the concept of four Londons: one dead, one ordinary, one cruel, and one ripe with magic. While it was all a little overwhelming at first, it was overwhelming in a good way that makes you excited to learn more. A lot of thought clearly went into developing the world and it shows. 
 "Bad magic, Kell had called it. 
 No, thought Lila now. Clever magic. 
 And clever was more dangerous than bad any day of the week." 
 The magic system is just as fleshed out as the world building, and just as unique. There are many different kinds of magic and it was so interesting to read about how they all worked and manifested, including how there were sometimes consequences for that amount of power - serious consequences. 
 Red London Traveler and Lila the thief are our main characters, and they are glorious. While they may act strong on the outside, they are shown to be vulnerable, and I really felt for them. They are just awesome, and you should take my word for it. I wish the side characters had been given a little bit more depth and page time but they were by no means boring or underdeveloped. 
 A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC was not only a book I read at record breaking speeds, it was a book I couldn't wait to get back to if I had to take a break from it. The sequel is on its way to me right now and I absolutely cannot wait to read it. Highly recommended. 
 "I'm not going to die," she said. "Not till I've seen it." 
 "Seen what?" 
 Her smile widened. "Everything."