Now with a new cover featuring the new aesthetic of the Shades of Magic universe, discover the first volume of the series that reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and established VE Schwab as one of the greatest authors of contemporary fantasy.
Kell is one of the last Antari —magicians with the rare and coveted ability to travel between parallel universes connected by a magical city: London.
There's Grey London, dirty and dull, devoid of magic and with a mad king—George III. Red London, where life and magic are revered, and where Kell was raised alongside Rhy Maresh, the bohemian heir to a prosperous empire. White London, a place where struggles are fought to control a dangerous and unstoppable magic that drains the city to its very bones.
And once upon a time... there was Black London. But no one talks about it anymore. Officially, Kell works as an ambassador for the Maresh empire, responsible for the monthly correspondence between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, catering to those willing to pay for even the barest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a challenging hobby with dangerous consequences that Kell will now experience firsthand.
During an escape to Grey London, Kell encounters Delilah Bard, a thief with grand aspirations. First she robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to take her to another world for a true adventure. Dangerous magic abounds, and treachery lurks around every corner.
To save all the worlds, Kell and Lila must first stay alive.
“A darker take on magic is clever, fun, and sexy... and Schwab keeps the excitement coming with mind-blowing twists.” — The Independent
“Addictive and engaging, this series is a must-read.” —Entertainment Weekly