V.E. Schwab is the Queen of writing

Every time I rave about a V.E. Schwab book I think to myself, why don’t I have a post dedicated to one of my favourite authors? Well here is that blog post!

The first V.E. Schwab book I picked up was A Darker Shade of Magic, a fantasy series set in an alternate London. The reason I was interested in this book is one that now looks a little odd, but it was because it reminded me of a book I read as a kid, Un Lun Dun by China Miéville. Looking back now, I see only one similarity, but that was what swayed it for me. Both books are set in an parallel London, somewhere familiar but not.

I’m glad I discovered Victoria Schwab through this rather convoluted way, because she is certainly an auto-buy author for me now. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her at a very small book signing in Bristol’s Forbidden Planet as well as at YALC 2017. Both times she was a delight and it’s really lovely to see that she truly makes time for her fans.

Which books have I read?

• A Darker Shade of Magic

• A Gathering of Shadows

• A Conjuring of Light

• This Savage Song

• Vicious

• Vengeful

• City of Ghosts

Which books am I yet to read?

• Our Dark Duet

• The Dark Vault

• The Near Witch

The later on the list of books I haven’t read of Victoria Schwab’s yet is because as I’m writing this, it isn’t actually released yet in it’s reprint. 

Victoria Schwab’s style of writing is like none other, her technique is beautiful and she creates worlds that are both believable and extraordinary. What’s more, is that she takes us along her writing journey with her, by documenting it on her social media, mainly Twitter and Instagram. She reminds us that it is not easy to create a world with characters, magic and wonder. She puts a personal touch into what she does by sharing her moments of both doubt and joy with us on social media. I think this is a really interesting way to see an author in the 21st Century. It’s nice to feel that connection to the person writing the worlds we so dearly love.

I love a book that is character driven and I can’t think of a better example than the Villains series, including Vicious and Vengeful. This duology is, in my opinion, the best of Schwab’s work. Eli and Victor are the main characters, friends turned enemies with extraordinary abilities that no human should have. It’s all about their battle between each other for what they each think is right. This book is really hammering in the point of ethical dilemmas, believing you are right when others think you to be a villain. But what leads it, is the characters. The descriptions of these extraordinary humans and how the reader falls in love with them, is one of Victoria Schwab’s highest praises in my opinion.

I was thrilled in 2018 to see she’d published City of Ghosts, a middle grade novel about a girl who can see ghosts. Set in Scotland, I really enjoyed getting to know another character from the Schwabiverse and getting caught into the story. It’s brilliant to think her books are reaching people of all age groups, because she really is an author that everyone should read.

Victoria Schwab’s books always contain a bit of magic in them, they are certainly all character driven too. But ultimately her talent to take a place we know and love and turn it into a new setting that is filled with magic and danger, is just superb. Her writing offers constant surprise, twists and turns and energy. She is truly an inspiring author and makes me want to be a better writer!

If you are a reader who hasn’t yet picked up a Victoria Schwab book, I recommend highly that you do. She is a machine when it comes to writing, she is releasing new work all the time. It’s so exciting to know that I can always look forward to jumping into another one of her books. Her way with words transports the reader right into the pages, she is phenomenal and I adore her style.