A Gathering of Shadows: A Novel (Shades of Magic Book 2)

A Gathering of Shadows: A Novel (Shades of Magic Book 2)

V. E. Schwab

Shades of Magic series

  • 4.4 out of 5
  • 15,128 ratings
  • 521 pages
  • PG-13

Overall Content Rating: Parents Strongly Cautioned PG-13

This second volume in a multiverse fantasy series follows separated protagonists— a magician tied to royalty, a thief-turned-sailor, and a prince recovering from trauma— as a magical tournament brings visitors and old enemies closer. The tone mixes adventure, political tension, and dark magic brewing in parallel storylines. Parents should expect moderate fantasy violence and frequent blood in fights and rituals, occasional profanity including a few strong words, and mild romantic physical contact (kissing). A main character’s bisexuality and same-sex romance are part of the story. Some dialogue and attitudes treat traditional religion irreverently, and reviewers note demonic or possession-style horror elements alongside drinking in social scenes.

How content ratings are chosen

Reviews first uploaded October 6, 2026 9:42 pm. Page updated October 6, 2026 9:42 pm.

These summaries are AI-generated from relevant Amazon reviews of this book.

Crude Mild

6

Belittling language during conflicts appears now and then; sampled matches for other crude terms are idioms or neutral actions, not vulgar jokes.

Amazon reviews mentioning crude

Specific words
  • stupid: 6

Profanity Moderate

49

Mild and moderate swearing is spread through the book in banter, anger, and internal thoughts, including insults toward enemies and friends. Stronger vulgar terms appear occasionally but are not on every page.

Amazon reviews mentioning profanity

Specific words
  • damn: 16
  • hell: 14
  • bastard: 10
  • shit: 5
  • ass: 2
  • bitch: 2

Sex Mild

1

There is no explicit sexual intercourse on the page according to typical reader reports; romantic kissing occurs, including between a same-sex couple. One coarse anatomical remark appears in pirate dialogue; other matched wording is non-sexual.

Amazon reviews mentioning sex

Specific words
  • cock: 1

Violence Moderate

139

Fantasy action includes knife fights, arena combat, magical attacks, and many references to blood and injury. Past and present scenes recall a prince nearly dying from wounds. Reviewers also describe demonic or possession-like horror tied to the plot.

Amazon reviews mentioning violence

Specific words
  • blood: 125
  • bleed: 6
  • stab: 4
  • kick: 2
  • smash: 2

LGBTQ+ Moderate

A major royal character is established as bisexual, with a same-sex romantic storyline and on-page kissing involving that character and a male love interest.

Amazon reviews mentioning lgbtq

About this book

From #1 New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab "Addictive and immersive, A Gathering of Shadows cements this series as a must-read." — Entertainment Weekly , grade A Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift, and into Black London. In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games-an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again-and so to keep magic's balance, another London must fall...in V. E. Schwab's A Gathering of Shadows. Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. Read more