Schwab ( Vicious, 2013, etc.) creates a memorable world-actually, three memorable worlds-and even more memorable characters. And it’s when a wanted Grey London thief named Lila steals the artifact that the real trouble starts-for both of them. It’s that habit that leads him to accept a dangerous relic, something that shouldn’t exist. Unofficially, he’s a smuggler who collects artifacts from other worlds.

Officially, he’s a royal messenger, carrying letters among the rulers of the three Londons. As for Black London, the city consumed, no one would be so foolish as to risk a trip- not even Kell. Now the doors are closed, and only a chosen few have the power to travel between Grey London, a world without magic, Red London, a world suffused with it, and White London, a world where magic is scarce, coveted and jealously guarded. Long ago, the doors between worlds were open, and anyone with magic could travel from one to the next. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn.A fast-paced fantasy adventure that takes readers into a series of interconnected worlds ruled by magic-or the lack of it. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. 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. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. And once upon a time, there was Black London. 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. Then there's Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. There's Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Summary: 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.

A darker shade of magic book