Waiting on Wednesday (101) A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab

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Every Waiting on Wednesday post features a book I’m dying to read, but sometimes a book comes along that makes me truly giddy with excitement. Today’s pick is just that, a super WoW pick, if you will. And here it is:

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. Release date: February 24 2014 (Tor Books). OK, everyone just stay calm. Victoria has a new series coming out from Tor! I said a series, people! If anyone out there loved Vicious as much as I did, you’ll understand how I feel about this new book. It’s not related to Vicious in any way, but from reading the story description, I am getting a very strong feeling that it is going to be every bit as wonderful. Check this out:

From V.E. Schwab, the critically acclaimed author of Vicious, comes a new universe of daring adventure, thrilling power, and parallel Londons, beginning with A Darker Shade of Magic.

Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands.

There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there’s Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London…but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, who first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.

And the cover…do I need to say it? I freaking love this cover! It’s simple and graphic and stunning. I’ll admit, when I first saw the guy’s cape—which looks like a “V” right?—I immediately thought of Vicious. I don’t know whether or not the artist did that on purpose, or whether it’s just a coincidence but it has me intrigued. Although I supposed it could also stand for “Victoria…” I love to read about how book covers came to be, and if you do too, check out this story on Tor.com to see all the different incarnations of the cover. February, seriously?? Not sure I can wait:-)

Let me know what you’re waiting on this week!