Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab Narrator: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer, Marisa Calin
Series: Threads of Power #1
Published by MacMillan Audio on September 26, 2023
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Length: 21 hours, 35 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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Once, there were four worlds, nestled like pages in a book, each pulsing with fantastical power, and connected by a single city: London. Until the magic grew too fast, and forced the worlds to seal the doors between them in a desperate gamble to protect their own. The few magicians who could still open the doors grew more rare as time passed and now, only three Antari are known in recent memory—Kell Maresh of Red London, Delilah Bard of Grey London, and Holland Vosijk, of White London.
But barely a glimpse of them have been seen in the last seven years--and a new Antari named Kosika has appeared in White London, taking the throne in Holland's absence. The young queen is willing to feed her city with blood, including her own—but her growing religious fervor has the potential to drown them instead.
And back in Red London, King Rhy Maresh is threatened by a rising rebellion, one determined to correct the balance of power by razing the throne entirely.
Amidst this tapestry of old friends and new enemies, a girl with an unusual magical ability comes into possession of a device that could change the fate of all four worlds.
I was so excited when I learned there would be more story in the world of A Darker Shade of Magic. The ending of that trilogy was so powerful with sacrifices by some of our main characters. So I was thrilled to get the next phase of their stories.
Many of the old characters and villains are still around, as well as some regular people. About 7 years has passed since A Conjuring of Light. The main points of view are Lila Bard, Alucard Emery, Kosika, and Tes.
Lila is all about protecting Kell whose magic hasn’t been the same since the effort to shut off the evil. They have been mostly at sea and he has learned to fight without magic, mostly. Now a magic device has been stolen from the floating market and its captain calls in her favor with Lila to track it down and return it.
Alucard is happily married to Rhy, as is the queen and they all delight in the young daughter Wren. The queen is dabbling in magic and magic devices to try to increase her power. She says it is for the good of the King and to protect their family, but I don’t trust her a bit.  She wants more power herself. Alucard is also pursuing The Hand which is leading an uprising against Rhy and the Maresh empire in Red London.
Kosika is growing up from the child she was when she became the new leader after Holland. Her part of the story was limited here to her personal learning and trying to figure out how to save her world and herself. Her guard, which was Holland’s guard, protects her but they seem to be meeting more without her. She’s old enough now to lead and has to plan what to do. She doesn’t understand the magic, what little there is in White London. I’m sure she will have a key role in the future, but I found her kind of boring here.
Tes is a young woman who has been struggling to make her own life since she was very young. Her mother tried to protect her but her father saw her, and her sisters, as property to sell or trade to enrich himself. She fled when others learned what her magic was. She has a shop to fix broken things like clocks. Tes can see magic and has learned to work the threads of magic to fix things. She is careful to keep that quiet but eventually the wrong people find out and want to use her.
The ending of The Fragile Threads of Power is a good place to take a breather but there is obviously more to the story. I can’t wait for more in this new Threads of Power trilogy. I loved catching up with these characters and the state of the worlds.
Narration:
The narration brought back the voices I knew and loved for Kell and Lila and Alucard. I really enjoyed the distinct voices and the new ones for the younger ladies, Kosika and Tes. The performance enhanced the story for me. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Kate Reading
Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator with hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, as well as being named Narrator of the Year, and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Her narration has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly, and by Booklist’s 2019 Top of the List, for the American Library Association. She and her husband, narrator Michael Kramer, record at their home studio in Maryland, Madison Productions.
About Michael Kramer
Audiobook veteran Michael Kramer has recorded more than two hundred audiobooks for trade publishers and many more for the Library of Congress Talking Books program. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner and an Audie Award nominee, he earned a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award for his reading of Savages by Don Winslow.
About VE Schwab
I am the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, I have been known to say “tom-ah-toes”, “like”, and “y’all”. I also suffer from a wicked case of wanderlust, made worse by the fact that wandering is a good way to stir up stories. When I’m not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, I’m usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
My first YA novel, THE NEAR WITCH, a dark original fairy tale, debuted with Disney*Hyperion in August 2011, and is now out in paperback.
My next YA novel, THE ARCHIVED, is the first book in a new supernatural series about a world where the dead are shelved like books, and it hits stores January 2013, also with Disney*Hyperion.
My first adult novel, VICIOUS, about two brilliant and highly disturbed pre-med students who set out to generate their own superpowers and end up mortal enemies, came out in hardcover from Tor September 2013.
My middle grade series, EVERYDAY ANGEL, about a peculiar guardian angel and the three girls she must help to earn her wings, comes out with Scholastic book fairs in Spring 2014, Fall 2014, and Spring 2016.
My next adult series, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC, about a magician who can move through multiple versions of London and the pick pocket who steals a talisman that could end them all, comes out February 24th, 2015.
I have more books coming out in 2015-2016, but I’ll get to those later.
These days, when someone asks me what I do when I’m NOT writing, I just kind of laugh nervously. But in truth, on the odd occasion I’m not typing away, I’m probably baking cookies, or watching BBC shows, or wandering. (See how we came full circle, there?)
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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I’m glad you loved this. Someday I’ll catch up and read the last book in the previous trilogy so I can continue this series.
oh this series is so fantastic. I loved the previous trilogy so I was thrilled for this one.
Looks like you had a grand follow up adventure for a fav series.
yes absolutely
Mhmmmm I would’ve have given this a second look without your review!
It’s really a wonderful world built.
Spin off series are such joys right? I’m glad you’re enjoying this continuation
yes it’s especially great when the series are all trilogies so short enough to read them in groups and the series overall doesn’t seem too long. These are rather long books though.
I never did get to the previous trilogy, but I think I have one of the audiobooks. Sounds like I should make time for them at some point. Glad to see it was a 5 star read!
The previous trilogy was also fabulous. It is fantasy and magic. So maybe like Orphan X in the Fourth Wing type world. No dragons though. I don’t know how much you have read fantasy but I loved these. The audio is really excellent too.
I have yet to red this author but you make me want to start! Great review, Anneđź’ś
Thank you Jonetta. These are excellent but I don’t know how you are with fantasy. I’d start with the first trilogy which is also awesome if you want to try them. The audio is wonderful.
It sounds really good. I think I read that Schwab tried to write it so you could start here, but would you recommend reading the first trilogy first?
yes. I’m always pro reading things in order and getting all the background and character development. Besides the first trilogy is awesome. The audio is excellent. We read the first book for COYER, did you read it?
So glad to see you enjoying the spin-off.
Thank you. Now I just have to wait for the next book.
I’m so excited for this series! I want to reread A Darker Shade Of Magic first.
I loved it and it wouldn’t hurt to reread the first trilogy since it’s great. I guess it depends on how long since you read them (for me). I had bought them but hadn’t read them. The audio came out in 2015 but I read it in 2020.
I really need to start reading this author’s books. I thought about grabbing this one since it starts a new series until I looked closer and decided that I should read the original books first.
yes I would read the original trilogy first and it is SO good. I think you will love them. They are real favorites of mine.
I just finished this book a couple of days ago and really loved it. I was a little worried at first that I wouldn’t like the newer characters but they were incredible, especially Tes.
yes I enjoy all the Schwab books. Tes is certainly a new favorite. I hope she remains safe and we see more of her. She has quite the skills. I don’t trust the queen. At all.
I tried reading a book by this author a long time ago, and couldn’t get into it, so I haven’t picked up any since. However I know a lot of my students do enjoy her books. Great review! Glad you enjoyed it!
I love this world and these narrators are favorites also.