"It's been seven years since Kell, Lila, and Holland defeated the evil force known as Osaron. Lila has spent those seven years as captain of a ship, exploring her new magical world and occasionally spying for the Crown. Kell has spent them learning to fight with ordinary weapons now that wielding his magic causes him intense pain. Holland, of course, gave his life to defeat Osaron. But now a shadowy organization called the Hand is plotting against Kell's brother, King Rhy, and they've set their sights ona powerful magical object. Lila, Kell, Rhy, and Rhy's husband, Alucard, will all be drawn into new danger in their efforts to uncover the plot and protect their family. Meanwhile, a young girl named Tes with the rare ability to see and manipulate the threads of magic is hiding out in Red London, fixing magical objects--and Kosika, the young queen of White London, will do whatever it takes to restore her world's magic"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

As two royals fight to keep their crowns amidst old friends and new enemies in fantastical realms connected by a single city—London, a girl with an unusual magical ability comes into possession of a device that could bring them together—or unravel it all. - (Baker & Taylor)

A New York Times Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
September IndieNext Pick

A new door opens...

Once there were four worlds, nestled like pages in a book, each pulsing with fantastical power and connected by a single city: London.

After a desperate attempt to prevent corruption and ruin in the four Londons, there are only three:
? Grey London, thriving but barely able to remember its magical heritage
? Red London, ruled lately by the Maresh family, flourishing and powerful
? White London, left to brutality and decay

Now the worlds are going to collide anew—brought to a dangerous precipice by the discoveries of three remarkable magicians.

There's Kosika, the child queen of White London, who has nourished her city on blood and dreams—and whose growing devotion to both is leading her down a dangerous path.

Then there's Delilah Bard, born a thief in Grey London, who crossed the worlds to become a legend far from there. She's an infamous magician, a devious heroine, and a risk-taking rogue, all rolled into one unforgettable package. Having disappeared to seek new adventure, an old favor now calls Lila back to a dangerous port, to join some old friends who need more help than they realize.

Last there is Tes, a young runaway with an unusual and powerful ability, hiding out in Red London while trying to stay out of the limelight.

Tes is the only one who can keep all the worlds from unraveling—if she manages to stay alive first.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab comes a new adventure set in a beloved world—where old friends and foes alike are faced with a dangerous new threat.

PopSugar, This Year's Best New Fantasy
Paste Magazine, Most Anticipated Fantasy Books of Fall
The Washington Post, 10 Noteworthy Books for September
Goodreads, Readers’ Most Anticipated Books of Fall
Polygon, Best New SFF for the Fall
EW.com, Fall Book Must-Reads

VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the Shades of Magic series, Villains series, and the Monsters of Verity duology. Her work has received critical acclaim; been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post and more; been translated into more than a dozen languages; and been optioned for television and film. When she’s not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters. - (McMillan Palgrave)

Booklist Reviews

Schwab (The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, 2020) is an experienced fantasy author capable of bringing the reader right into the world built in her novels. She writes with a sense of authority and mischief, letting her characters drive the action through intense plot to extremely satisfying conclusions. Her series, The Shades of Magic (starting with A Darker Shade of Magic, 2015), is a skillful demonstration of this, and now she begins a new series set in the same world. Old friends are brought back to life and new ones join the fray as Kell, Delilah Bard, Rhy Maresh, and Alucard Emery struggle to make sense of the changing rules of magic and the rebellion fermenting in their midst. A young queen named Kosika rules her kingdom with the iron fist of religious fervor, and a tinkerer named Tes fixes broken things using magic no one else can wield. Schwab wields her pen just as competently; The Fragile Threads of Power will entrance and delight fantasy readers everywhere. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Schwab's Shades of Magic series is megapopular with fantasy readers, and this new series, set in the same world, will garner much attention. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Bestseller Schwab revisits the world of the Shades of Magic series—where multiple alternate Londons feud with one another—in the action-packed start to a new spin-off series. The lives of Kell Maresh, Delilah Bard, Alucard Emery, and King Rhy Maresh have changed much in the seven years since A Conjuring of Light concluded. When Rhy's life is threatened, it will take the abilities of all to find his would-be assassins. Meanwhile, Schwab introduces Tesali "Tes" Ranek, whose talent for fixing things comes from her rare ability to see threads of magic and manipulate them to her will. Tes uses this skill to earn a living but keeps her powers a secret by inventing a powerful man to whom she claims to be merely an apprentice. When she's presented with a piece of technology that could turn the tide of power in Red London, her world begins to waver—as do the walls keeping Grey London, White London, and Black London at bay. Schwab cleverly builds on her existing worlds, introducing new threats and expanding the magic system. The new characters captivate and the plot twists shock. While readers visiting the Shades of Magic universe for the first time may miss some nuance, fans will devour this exciting return. (Sept.)