Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Darker Shade of Magic
- Author: V. E. Schwab
- Narrator: Steven Crossley
- Length: 11:37:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 21/04/2015
- Publisher: Tantor Media
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Historical
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It reminds me of a time when I was trekking through the winding streets of Lisbon, the cobblestones whispering tales of explorers who’d set sail to uncover new worlds. That’s the feeling I got when I first pressed play on “Darker Shade of Magic” by V. E. Schwab, narrated by Steven Crossley. The story unfolds like a map of hidden realms, each crease revealing a new London – Grey, Red, White, and the haunting echo of Black. As a travel writer who’s spent years chasing the pulse of places and people, this audiobook swept me into a multiverse where magic isn’t just a trick but a living, breathing force.
Kell, our Red Traveler, is the kind of character I’d love to share a mate with in some dusty Argentine café – he’s got that restless spirit, smuggling bits of forbidden magic across worlds. Then there’s Delilah Bard, the cutpurse who’d fit right in with the street hustlers I met in Oaxaca. Their collision sets off an adventure that’s equal parts thrilling and raw, a dance between trust and survival. Schwab’s world-building is a feast – you can almost taste the smoky grit of Grey London, feel the vibrant hum of Red London’s markets, and shiver at the bone-cold menace of White London. It’s historical fantasy with a sci-fi twist, a tapestry of parallel universes stitched together by a storyteller who knows how to make every thread count.
Listening to this audiobook felt personal, like those evenings in Oaxaca when the grandmother’s voice wove tales under the flicker of lantern light. I’ve always believed the best narrators are like oral historians, carrying you into the heart of a story with every inflection. Steven Crossley does just that. His voice is a weathered compass, guiding us through Schwab’s Londons with a gravitas that’s both commanding and warm. He gives Kell a quiet intensity, a hint of weariness that makes you root for him, while Lila’s sharp edges come alive with a fierce, almost playful energy. You can hear the creak of a ship in Grey London, the clink of coins in a Red London tavern – it’s an audiobook experience that pulls you in deep.
The story hooked me early, right around the time Kell’s smuggling gig goes sideways, landing him in Grey London with Lila hot on his heels. It’s a classic setup – two misfits thrown together by fate – but Schwab spins it with fresh stakes. Magic here isn’t just power; it’s a currency, a danger, a tether between worlds. I couldn’t help but think of my drive through the Atacama Desert, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. Just as García Márquez painted a surreal Buendía saga against that barren expanse, Schwab’s Londons felt alive against Crossley’s narration – like the landscapes were characters themselves.
What I loved most? The sensory plunge. Schwab’s prose, paired with Crossley’s delivery, lets you smell the damp streets, hear the murmur of a crowd, taste the metallic tang of blood and magic. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you forget you’re just listening – it’s a journey. And as someone who’s spent nights swapping tales with strangers in far-off places, I connected with Kell and Lila’s hunger for something bigger. Their banter, their grit, it’s the stuff of real human connection, even across fantastical worlds.
But it’s not flawless. At times, the pacing stumbles – some stretches in White London drag like a mule on a steep Andean trail. The secondary characters, like the ruthless twins ruling White London, could’ve used more flesh. And while Crossley’s narration is a strength, his pacing occasionally feels too measured, especially in the action scenes where you want the adrenaline to spike. Still, these are minor quibbles in a tale this rich.
Compared to other fantasy audiobooks, “Darker Shade of Magic” stands out for its intimacy. It’s not as sprawling as “The Name of the Wind” – Patrick Rothfuss builds a wider canvas – but Schwab’s focus on two souls navigating a multiverse feels more personal, more grounded. Crossley’s performance also edges out some narrators I’ve heard; he’s not as theatrical as Jim Dale with “Harry Potter”, but his restraint suits the story’s tone.
If you’re a listener who loves historical fantasy with a twist of adventure, this one’s for you. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s “Neverwhere” or Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” will find familiar vibes – a dark, magical underbelly meets characters you’d fight for. It’s perfect for a long drive, a quiet night by the fire, or anytime you want to escape into a world that feels both foreign and achingly human. And the best part? You can snag this audiobook free through certain platforms – check Audiobooks.com for a trial if you’re itching to dive in.
Reflecting on it, this story hit me in a way few do. It’s not just the magic or the parallel Londons – it’s the reminder that every journey, every crossing, leaves a mark. I’ve carried that lesson from desert roads to mountain villages, and hearing it unfold through Schwab’s words and Crossley’s voice made it resonate all over again.
Until the next tale calls us, keep exploring,
Marcus Rivera
