My Reaction in a Nutshell: 
 Lila Bard. Enough said. 
 The Long Version: 
 I loved A Darker Shade of Magic (ADSOM), but A Gathering of Shadows (AGOS) is a thousand times better and I didn't think that was possible. This book has pirates, thievery, competitions, death, revenge, enemies, action, humor, and Lila. I think it's safe to say that if anyone didn't like Lila in book one (still not sure how that would be possible), then book two converted them to die hard Lila fans. She's cunning, talented, and reckless. I love it. 
 ADSOM ended with Rhy being brought back from the dead/bound to Kell's life and Lila leaving to start her next adventure. And, oh, what an adventure it's been. 
 Rhy and Kell's bond has grown stronger in the four months since ADSOM ended. Now, not only do they feel each other's pain (including hangovers), but also each other's emotions. Things have certainly changed since Rhy was brought back from the dead. 
 If I had read this book back during the summer I probably would've groaned at the thought of reading another book with a trial/competition (for some reason that was a popular theme at the time). But I loved the competition in this book. Maybe it's because I watched HP & The Goblet of Fire the day before or it could be because I've had a long break since reading a book with a competition, but it's probably because V.E. Schwab is just that good. Although the competition is an important part of the book, it doesn't overwhelm AGOS. And the games certainly are entertaining. 
 I won't lie, this book felt like mostly filler for the third book in the series. And I have a feeling that the third book is going to be the best one yet. For writing a filler book, V.E. Schwab does an impeccable job at keeping it entertaining. I love the new characters (Alucard especially) and all of the trouble characters keep getting in ((view spoiler)[but Rhy is breaking my heart, he's is so much pain both mental and physical (the physical mostly occurring from his own stupidity) (hide spoiler)]). 
 I honestly don't know how I can wait for the next book. (view spoiler)[Especially with that ending!! It was such a cliffhanger. The last ten pages consisted of me saying "Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no" repeatedly. (hide spoiler)] 
 ***TRIGGER WARNINGS: mind control, SH (for magic), SA (more details under "spoiler")(view spoiler)[part one, section I, unwanted groping as being lifted aboard a ship (hide spoiler)], incarceration, death, murder