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Shades of Magic comics (Single Issues) #5-8
Sombras de Magia Vol. 2: La Noche de los Cuchillos
Tras la derrota de Arisa, la Reina Pirata, el príncipe Maxim Maresh ignora la invitación de su padre para que vuelva a Londres porque quiere probarse a sí mismo y demostrarle a la guarnición de Verose que no es un príncipe mimado.
Cuando Maxim descubre que se va a celebrar una especie de torneo mágico anual llamado Noche de los Cuchillos, que consiste en una serie de cuatro pruebas en las que uno debe demostrar su valor, su honor y su coraje, decide que no solo va a participar, ¡sino que va a llegar hasta el final!
Sin embargo, nunca nadie ha superado las cuatro pruebas del torneo ―abierto a cualquiera, ya sea soldado, pirata, ciudadano, ladrón o príncipe―; ahora bien, muchos han muerto intentándolo.
Maxim va a tener que prepararse para la que podría ser la noche más complicada de su vida y todo… porque quiere dejar clara su valía de una vez por todas. Esta noche será la noche que acabe con él o la que lo encumbre.
Esta edición exclusiva contiene dieciséis páginas de material adicional, ¡incluidos dibujos inéditos!
Este volumen incluye los números 1 a 4 de Sombras de magia: El Príncipe del Acero: La Noche de los Cuchillos.
Cuando Maxim descubre que se va a celebrar una especie de torneo mágico anual llamado Noche de los Cuchillos, que consiste en una serie de cuatro pruebas en las que uno debe demostrar su valor, su honor y su coraje, decide que no solo va a participar, ¡sino que va a llegar hasta el final!
Sin embargo, nunca nadie ha superado las cuatro pruebas del torneo ―abierto a cualquiera, ya sea soldado, pirata, ciudadano, ladrón o príncipe―; ahora bien, muchos han muerto intentándolo.
Maxim va a tener que prepararse para la que podría ser la noche más complicada de su vida y todo… porque quiere dejar clara su valía de una vez por todas. Esta noche será la noche que acabe con él o la que lo encumbre.
Esta edición exclusiva contiene dieciséis páginas de material adicional, ¡incluidos dibujos inéditos!
Este volumen incluye los números 1 a 4 de Sombras de magia: El Príncipe del Acero: La Noche de los Cuchillos.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2019
29 people are currently reading
6688 people want to read
About the author
V.E. Schwab
69 books77.3k followersThis author also writes under the name of Victoria Schwab.
VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she can usually be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she can usually be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 458 reviews
July 9, 2020
Just read this book in one sitting and liked this one a lot more than the first one! Cannot wait for vol. 3 to come out early next year!(:
July 31, 2021
J’ai moins aimé les dessins que dans le premier tome mais j’ai plus aimé l’histoire, qui donne d’ailleurs plus envie de lire la suite que la fin du premier!!
July 26, 2021
You cannot be their better and their equal.
This starts off right where The Steel Prince finished. Prince Maxim is staying in Verose even after the pirate queen is dead. He wants to change things around here and wants the soldiers to train properly but the soldiers don't respect him and they think that he is a danger for them here in Verose. There's also someone who's been killing the soldiers and Maxim finds out who it is. And to win the soldiers' respect, he gets a suggestion and it is called Night of Knives.
Anyone can be born a prince. But no one is born a leader.
Maxim decides to enter the Night of Knives which is made of four trials. Each trial is designed to challenge a different kind of strength. Isra warns him to not enter because she entered and quit in the second trial and no one has ever gotten to the fourth door. Maxim still enters.
Magic may be infinite. But spells are made by men.
Maxim's night of knives trials start. Maxim makes it through the first but barely. Then he manages to make it through the second and the third. Maxim decides to quit before the fourth trial starts as he promised Isra that he'd quit after the third but then things take a turn.
Fear is no excuse for tyranny.
Maxim gets sucked into the fourth door and he finds an Antari magician inside who designed the trials disguised as one of the soldiers. Isra and two other loyal soldiers help Maxim and he comes out on the other side of the fourth trial successful in winning the soldiers' respect. That end was surprising.
There's always a line between truth and legend.
The story continues from The Steel Prince and I like where it is heading. Art was definitely an improvement but may be because there weren't that many action sequences. As an ebook, I still had a lot of difficulty with reading the print on this. I still don't know how the magic works and there are some unanswered questions but the story is getting mysterious and I liked this way better than I expected myself to. I loved the trials of the night of knives, I only wish it was longer and things were again explained. Throughout this series, my major issue is the writer not explaining the magic or anything really. So, why I enjoyed this? I think in this instance, my love for fantasy prevails.
3.75 stars
This starts off right where The Steel Prince finished. Prince Maxim is staying in Verose even after the pirate queen is dead. He wants to change things around here and wants the soldiers to train properly but the soldiers don't respect him and they think that he is a danger for them here in Verose. There's also someone who's been killing the soldiers and Maxim finds out who it is. And to win the soldiers' respect, he gets a suggestion and it is called Night of Knives.
Anyone can be born a prince. But no one is born a leader.
Maxim decides to enter the Night of Knives which is made of four trials. Each trial is designed to challenge a different kind of strength. Isra warns him to not enter because she entered and quit in the second trial and no one has ever gotten to the fourth door. Maxim still enters.
Magic may be infinite. But spells are made by men.
Maxim's night of knives trials start. Maxim makes it through the first but barely. Then he manages to make it through the second and the third. Maxim decides to quit before the fourth trial starts as he promised Isra that he'd quit after the third but then things take a turn.
Fear is no excuse for tyranny.
Maxim gets sucked into the fourth door and he finds an Antari magician inside who designed the trials disguised as one of the soldiers. Isra and two other loyal soldiers help Maxim and he comes out on the other side of the fourth trial successful in winning the soldiers' respect. That end was surprising.
There's always a line between truth and legend.
The story continues from The Steel Prince and I like where it is heading. Art was definitely an improvement but may be because there weren't that many action sequences. As an ebook, I still had a lot of difficulty with reading the print on this. I still don't know how the magic works and there are some unanswered questions but the story is getting mysterious and I liked this way better than I expected myself to. I loved the trials of the night of knives, I only wish it was longer and things were again explained. Throughout this series, my major issue is the writer not explaining the magic or anything really. So, why I enjoyed this? I think in this instance, my love for fantasy prevails.
3.75 stars
May 3, 2020
I love the colors and lighting in this comic!
The problem is that it was Too fast, too furious
The problem is that it was Too fast, too furious
April 10, 2022
Vol. 1: The Steel Prince ★★★★★
Vol. 2: Night of Knives ★★★★★
Vol. 3: The Rebel Army ★★★★★
Oh, this was absolutely delightful — even better than the first volume! If you know me, you probably know already that I'm a massive sucker for tournaments, trials, etc., and learning that the infamous Night of Knives is a set of trials custom-built for that contestant? Sign me the hell up. (Sign me up for reading about it, not, y'know, participating. Just to be clear.)
I'm so thoroughly enjoying this time of getting to know Maxim better and learning how he was shaped into the proud and powerful King we know from the Shades novels, and now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go devour the final volume in this trilogy.
✨ Representation: the members of the Maresh family are Black; multiple BIPOC side characters; one on-page sapphic side character
✨ Content warnings for: violence, death, minor self-harm (for magical purposes)
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January 2, 2020
The artwork is again amazing, and the story itself is great. I´m definitely going to continue reading this series.
January 4, 2020
Better than the first one but also way worse. I liked some aspects but found them to be rushed and undeveloped. The trials themselves ended too quickly for any satisfying resolution and the main conflict came a little out of nowhere. The big plot twist was obvious from the start to anyone who has any knowledge about the Shades of Magic universe. And the fact that the art kept changing was jarring, especially since Maxim looked significantly older in one of the styles than in the other.
Also, what was up with the Joker? Because he added nothing to the story and, if he was cut out, the plot would play almost exactly as it had before.
Also, what was up with the Joker? Because he added nothing to the story and, if he was cut out, the plot would play almost exactly as it had before.
October 21, 2019
Just love this whole thing. Loved the Night of Knives, loved the art, loved it all!
June 24, 2020
Things ended before I could even grasp what was happening. There could be 6 or 8 issues rather than only 4. 🙄
Read
July 5, 2020I read this in--no joke--30 minutes. The art style is similar to Vol. 1, in that dark, thick line art style. I will say that I'm curious about the norms in coloring, because I think (?) Maxim is Black. I'm wondering about the coloring of palms and stuff & how in reality, everyone's palms are lighter than the rest of their skin, but I feel like this isn't fully represented in the art. I know lighting is a thing that exists & can throw this off, but I am curious who was consulted about this.
Either way, the Night of Knives is definitely an exciting concept, and I feel like this Night of Knives did a better job of introducing the conflict/main storyline for this volume quickly. The pacing is still a bit off, with the introduction being overrepresented and the trials of the Night of Knives feeling rushed. I'm not even sure how Maxim got through the second trial, to be completely honest. Still, it was a very quick read and super immersive.
I'll also add this photo of my favorite piece of art from the volume--it's absolutely contrary to the rest of the style of the comic (this image doesn't have thick black line art like the actual comic does) but it's such a lovely piece, that I can't help but love it.
Either way, the Night of Knives is definitely an exciting concept, and I feel like this Night of Knives did a better job of introducing the conflict/main storyline for this volume quickly. The pacing is still a bit off, with the introduction being overrepresented and the trials of the Night of Knives feeling rushed. I'm not even sure how Maxim got through the second trial, to be completely honest. Still, it was a very quick read and super immersive.
I'll also add this photo of my favorite piece of art from the volume--it's absolutely contrary to the rest of the style of the comic (this image doesn't have thick black line art like the actual comic does) but it's such a lovely piece, that I can't help but love it.
November 16, 2019
I'm only reading this because the first volume is a graphic novel nominee for the Goodreads Choice Awards, I had checked both volumes out of the library at the same time, and they are very short, so why not read both? I have not previously read any books in the Shades of Magic series or by the author. This is the second book of a trilogy of graphic novels adapting a single sentence from one of the novels.
The protagonist remains unlikable but may be becoming a trifle less headstrong. The art remains muddy and obscures the action. So when the young prince decides to tackle some annual magical challenge we see him walk through a series of doors and do...something...that lets him advance to the next door. And then suddenly there is a villainous Antari magician, which might be scary if I had any idea what the hell Antari means here. Since the prince becomes king in the novels, I think you can guess how little a problem the magician turns out to be.
Meh.
The protagonist remains unlikable but may be becoming a trifle less headstrong. The art remains muddy and obscures the action. So when the young prince decides to tackle some annual magical challenge we see him walk through a series of doors and do...something...that lets him advance to the next door. And then suddenly there is a villainous Antari magician, which might be scary if I had any idea what the hell Antari means here. Since the prince becomes king in the novels, I think you can guess how little a problem the magician turns out to be.
Meh.
October 20, 2019
Some scenes (and especially fight scenes) left me a bit confused and disoriented and I think I wasn't as invested as I was in the first volume but overall I enjoyed this.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
January 29, 2021
'Una magia más oscura' es una de mis sagas de fantasía preferidas. El año pasado tuve la oportunidad de leer 'El príncipe del acero', la primera parte de estas novelas gráficas, y ahora he seguido con una historia que, a cada volumen que pasa, se pone más interesante 😱
Después de hacer una relectura de la novela anterior (porque mi memoria es la de Dory y no recordaba muchas cosas), esta continuación me ha parecido mucho más reveladora. Si bien el primer volumen sirve como presentación de Maxim Maresh y sus primeros pasos lejos de palacio, aquí seguimos la historia para ahondar en todo ello y encontrarnos con una competición que sacará lo peor de ti para finalizar a lo grande con un gran giro argumental que apunta a que, a partir de ahora, se viene una buena.
El estilo narrativo sigue en la misma linea: es una historia muy rápida y plagada de acción, en la que no pararán de suceder cosas, una detrás de la otra. Aunque la autora profundiza en la figura de Maxim, opta por dejar una trama más hecha a los acontecimientos, a la lucha y a las pruebas. Es por eso que, de nuevo, la lectura es bastante rápida, entretenida y emocionante, dejando una novela que se puede leer, sin problemas, en un rato.
Las ilustraciones me siguen flipando, son muy exactas, están muy bien perfiladas y ayudan a que todo lo que pasa se vea y se entienda a la perfección. Consiguen plasmar muy bien este mundo, sus detalles y su magia, y los personajes secundarios están muy logrados también.
La única pega que le pongo a esta precuela es que... ¡Se hace muy corta! 😭 Aunque la disfrutas, no estás mucho tiempo en ella y no logras saborear del todo las páginas, y me da pena porque no quiero irme nunca de este mundo 😂😂 Aún así, estas novelas gráficas están siendo el complemento perfecto para ampliar la saga y para conocer mejor a un personaje regio y serio que, sorprendentemente, te gusta y conectas con él sin problemas.
October 27, 2019
actual rating: 3.5
I thought the first volume felt a bit unfinished/rushed just because it was the introduction, but now I'm thinking that four issues are just not enough to tell the kinds of stories that Schwab wants to tell. This one was definitely interesting and a cool concept, but it seemed like it was over almost before it began. Also I still have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the artist. Still a good read and I love the extended background we are getting on the Shades of Magic world, but I wish these were 6 issue arcs instead of 4.
I thought the first volume felt a bit unfinished/rushed just because it was the introduction, but now I'm thinking that four issues are just not enough to tell the kinds of stories that Schwab wants to tell. This one was definitely interesting and a cool concept, but it seemed like it was over almost before it began. Also I still have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the artist. Still a good read and I love the extended background we are getting on the Shades of Magic world, but I wish these were 6 issue arcs instead of 4.
July 18, 2023
This was definitely an improvement on the first volume in terms of the storyline. It was very fun to read, and the art is really amazing. It's diverse and creative. I love getting more from this world!
There are times when it's a little hard to follow and stay invested, but for the most part, I didn't struggle with this volume and I enjoyed it!
There are times when it's a little hard to follow and stay invested, but for the most part, I didn't struggle with this volume and I enjoyed it!
April 7, 2024
It was good but I wanted more trials.
And obviously the graphic is great!!!
And obviously the graphic is great!!!
June 19, 2021
В плане сюжета второй том мне понравился больше, но видимо из-за ограниченного формата/размера история кажется какой то скомканной, все слишком быстро происходит и это испытание не кажется таким труднопроходимым как об этом говорят персонажи.
January 8, 2020
Full Review on The Candid Cover
This second volume of the Shades of Magic graphic novels by V. E. Schwab follows Maxim taking on the challenges of the Night of Knives to earn the respect of his troops, and it is a great complement to the main series.
❀ SUSPENSEFUL
I loved the suspense of each trial and the thrill that comes with the idea that no one has ever made it out of all four alive. It is also interesting how we get to see a different side of Maxim as he is forced to face his weaknesses. He has developed quite a bit since the first volume.
❀ STUNNING ARTWORK
As well, the art in the graphic novels is as stunning as ever. I love the way the fight scenes are depicted and how magic is illustrated. I found the colours to be especially evocative. Although I have yet to pick up the Shades of Magic series, these graphic novels have gotten me excited to do so very soon.
This second volume of the Shades of Magic graphic novels by V. E. Schwab follows Maxim taking on the challenges of the Night of Knives to earn the respect of his troops, and it is a great complement to the main series.
❀ SUSPENSEFUL
I loved the suspense of each trial and the thrill that comes with the idea that no one has ever made it out of all four alive. It is also interesting how we get to see a different side of Maxim as he is forced to face his weaknesses. He has developed quite a bit since the first volume.
❀ STUNNING ARTWORK
As well, the art in the graphic novels is as stunning as ever. I love the way the fight scenes are depicted and how magic is illustrated. I found the colours to be especially evocative. Although I have yet to pick up the Shades of Magic series, these graphic novels have gotten me excited to do so very soon.
April 21, 2020
4.5/5
The second volume of the Shades of Magic graphic novels is once again filled with action scenes because now, Prince Maxim has to prove himself to his soldiers by completing 4 trials called The Night of the Knives.
The thing is, nobody has ever come alive out of the fourth trial. Most people give in at the second one, and even the bravest survivors, had only completed 3 of them. But Maxim is a proud prince, and he will do whatever it takes to gain the respect of his fellow soldiers. Like he says, “Anyone can be born a prince, but no one is born leader.”
Now, what I really love about this volume was that we got to see another antari but most importantly, that through the challenges, we see how Maxim grows into a more mature prince, someone who can actually fight and lead. I think that going against his own demons and fears is what makes him not only a better prince, but a person too.
The magic system is still one of my favorite ones among fantasy books and the fact that is not limited to four elements but others too, is still very impressive! On top of that, the illustrator work really gets you into the story because it’s a beautiful portrayal of the Red London I love so much. Truth is, these graphic novels go along perfectly with the original trilogy and I must admit that it made me want to re-read them as soon as I get the collector editions.
Last but not least, I’m really excited for the last volume! I’m glad that Schwab is working along with these amazing illustrators, because the format makes it a lot better!
Read it for the Ray Charles Readathon.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Shades of Magic Vol. 1: The Steel Prince
The second volume of the Shades of Magic graphic novels is once again filled with action scenes because now, Prince Maxim has to prove himself to his soldiers by completing 4 trials called The Night of the Knives.
The thing is, nobody has ever come alive out of the fourth trial. Most people give in at the second one, and even the bravest survivors, had only completed 3 of them. But Maxim is a proud prince, and he will do whatever it takes to gain the respect of his fellow soldiers. Like he says, “Anyone can be born a prince, but no one is born leader.”
Now, what I really love about this volume was that we got to see another antari but most importantly, that through the challenges, we see how Maxim grows into a more mature prince, someone who can actually fight and lead. I think that going against his own demons and fears is what makes him not only a better prince, but a person too.
The magic system is still one of my favorite ones among fantasy books and the fact that is not limited to four elements but others too, is still very impressive! On top of that, the illustrator work really gets you into the story because it’s a beautiful portrayal of the Red London I love so much. Truth is, these graphic novels go along perfectly with the original trilogy and I must admit that it made me want to re-read them as soon as I get the collector editions.
Last but not least, I’m really excited for the last volume! I’m glad that Schwab is working along with these amazing illustrators, because the format makes it a lot better!
Read it for the Ray Charles Readathon.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Shades of Magic Vol. 1: The Steel Prince
April 27, 2022
3.75 cause im a hoe for magical competition
Ok Maxim, I see you. Isra still slay tho
Ok Maxim, I see you. Isra still slay tho
February 13, 2022
Este tomo me ha gustado mucho más que el anterior porque, en mi opinión, tiene todo lo bueno (Maxim siendo un personaje muy interesante, ¡por fin madurando un poco!, e Irsa siendo magnífica), y nada de lo malo. Aquí el antagonista es uno que podría decepcionar, pero en realidad hay otro moviendo los hilos, bastante literalmente, detrás de él, y en todo momento queda muy claro que es un enemigo digno, no decepciona.
La historia, por su parte, me parece curiosa, con todo el asunto de la noche de los cuchillos y Maxim poniéndose a prueba ante los soldados y ante sí mismo. Las pruebas me han recordado al Essen Tasch de los libros, pero hasta lo mencionan porque es lo que pretendían, y como esa fue una de mis partes favoritas de la trilogía, no tengo queja.
Lo que más aprecio aquí es que, si bien en el anterior se notaba mucho que era una historia que podía valer como autoconclusiva (incluso aunque el arco de Maxim en Verase sea más largo), aquí ya se nota que la historia sigue, que hay hilos que se van a continuar en el tomo siguiente, y que el universo es más grande que lo que está contenido aquí. No sé, aquí la historia está mejor construida, creo, y el ritmo frenético ayuda mucho más a contarla que en el anterior, así que me ha gustado más.
Y, como hice en el anterior, mención aparte merece el dibujo: es impresionante.
La historia, por su parte, me parece curiosa, con todo el asunto de la noche de los cuchillos y Maxim poniéndose a prueba ante los soldados y ante sí mismo. Las pruebas me han recordado al Essen Tasch de los libros, pero hasta lo mencionan porque es lo que pretendían, y como esa fue una de mis partes favoritas de la trilogía, no tengo queja.
Lo que más aprecio aquí es que, si bien en el anterior se notaba mucho que era una historia que podía valer como autoconclusiva (incluso aunque el arco de Maxim en Verase sea más largo), aquí ya se nota que la historia sigue, que hay hilos que se van a continuar en el tomo siguiente, y que el universo es más grande que lo que está contenido aquí. No sé, aquí la historia está mejor construida, creo, y el ritmo frenético ayuda mucho más a contarla que en el anterior, así que me ha gustado más.
Y, como hice en el anterior, mención aparte merece el dibujo: es impresionante.
July 16, 2021
Bien bien Victoria, haciendo plot twists random y al fin mostrándome más de este tipo de magia. Siento que al final de los tres comics haré una reseña más completa, pero si algo puedo decir es que en serio las ilustraciones de estos comics son de lo mejor, no puedo estar más encantada por la manera en la que cada imagen transmite la historia.
February 3, 2020
4.5 stars
This was so much fun! The art is beautiful and the story is even better than the first one!
This was so much fun! The art is beautiful and the story is even better than the first one!
January 14, 2024
In this volume, Prince Maxim Maresh decides to join the Night of Knives as a way of gaining respect from the people around him. The Night of Knives is a magical tournament with four doors/trials. The thing is, no one has ever survived all four trials.
I definitely enjoyed this volume a lot more than the first one. I still have issues with the pacing, but I did enjoy reading and looking at the graphics of each trial that Prince Maresh had to face.
To be honest, I have a feeling that this second volume of The Steel Prince will be my favourite out of the three graphic novel volumes. This is because the second book of the Shades of Magic series, A Gathering of Shadows (which also centres around a magical tournament) was also my favourite book from the trilogy. I think I definitely have a thing for magical tournaments, and that V.E. Schwab does a great job thinking of creative magical challenges for her protagonists.
----------------------------------------------
Average rating for the entire comic series: 3/5
My reviews for the rest of the comics:
Volume 1: The Steel Prince (2.5/5) | Volume 2: Night of Knives (3/5) | Volume 3: The Rebel Army (3.5/5)
----------------------------------------------
Check out my reviews for the other books set in the Shades of Magic universe:
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 1): The Steel Prince (2.5/5)
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 2): Night of Knives (3/5)
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 3): The Rebel Army (3.5/5)
Book 1 (SoM Book 1): A Darker Shade of Magic (3.5/5)
Book 2 (SoM Book 1): A Gathering of Shadows (5/5)
Book 3 (SoM Book 1): A Conjuring of Light (3/5)
Book 4 (Sequel Trilogy, ToP Book 1): The Fragile Threads of Power (5/5)
I definitely enjoyed this volume a lot more than the first one. I still have issues with the pacing, but I did enjoy reading and looking at the graphics of each trial that Prince Maresh had to face.
To be honest, I have a feeling that this second volume of The Steel Prince will be my favourite out of the three graphic novel volumes. This is because the second book of the Shades of Magic series, A Gathering of Shadows (which also centres around a magical tournament) was also my favourite book from the trilogy. I think I definitely have a thing for magical tournaments, and that V.E. Schwab does a great job thinking of creative magical challenges for her protagonists.
----------------------------------------------
Average rating for the entire comic series: 3/5
My reviews for the rest of the comics:
Volume 1: The Steel Prince (2.5/5) | Volume 2: Night of Knives (3/5) | Volume 3: The Rebel Army (3.5/5)
----------------------------------------------
Check out my reviews for the other books set in the Shades of Magic universe:
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 1): The Steel Prince (2.5/5)
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 2): Night of Knives (3/5)
Prequel Comic (SoM Vol. 3): The Rebel Army (3.5/5)
Book 1 (SoM Book 1): A Darker Shade of Magic (3.5/5)
Book 2 (SoM Book 1): A Gathering of Shadows (5/5)
Book 3 (SoM Book 1): A Conjuring of Light (3/5)
Book 4 (Sequel Trilogy, ToP Book 1): The Fragile Threads of Power (5/5)
Want to read
March 2, 2019How am I expected to wait for this?! 😭
January 25, 2021
Hell yeah! This was even better than the first instalment. Any sort of trials in a story has become a trope a quite enjoy and I really do think V.E. Schwab does them best, and being able to see them visually was great! Following on from what I said in my review of the first volume, I think the art style was easier to follow this time because I'm finally used to it. I was able to focus more on the story than trying to decipher what was happening in each panel, which I think is key in my enjoyment of graphic novels. I loved the expansion of the character arcs and I'm so excited to see how Maxim's story ends (or rather, begins)!
September 4, 2019
The art in this volume definitely looked worse than the previous one. Moreover, the story was not that interesting.
October 5, 2019
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
The accomplishments by the #1 New York Times bestselling author are not unbeknownst by readers today. Her gritty and deadly stories glow with an immersive and addictive quality that makes for a truly entertaining ride, whether you see it coming or not. Looking to continue her comic book trilogy by exploring the secret adventures of Maxim, a character that first made his appearance in the Shades of Magic series, V.E. Schwab expands her universe through a new medium that makes for a unique visual experience. It is now time to find out if she was able to learn from the flaws of her first installment.
What is Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince: Night of Knives about? Collecting issues #5-8, the story picks up right after events in the first volume, with the showdown against the Pirate Queen. Sent to Verose by the king as an exercise to not only redeem himself to his father’s eyes but to build his character and show signs of a future ruler, the young and arrogant prince Maxim Maresh now needs to earn the respect of those who live in the port town of Verose and to do so, he wishes to take on the infamous challenges of the Night of Knives, a four-part trial that none has ever successfully completed.
As much as I wanted to remain hopeful for Schwab’s comic book series, this second installment further confirmed my fears for the fate of this run, with only one more volume left to conclude this little detour. Compressed in just four relatively short issues, the story never finds the time to give the reader the chance to care for anything that happens to a protagonist that only thinks about his rulership and takes decisions oriented towards his goals. The story also dives right into new lore elements, dumping most of the world-building elements within a page, before focusing on action sequences. Even moments meant to push the character’s development felt underwhelming and accelerated, almost making it feel like a waste of time.
Although the artwork isn’t the most mediocre style that I have ever seen so far, it still struggles immensely to convey the world’s magical elements. It doesn’t help when action sequences are messy and many sequences felt choppy, leaving the reader wondering if it’s just them or if certain panels were actually missing to help connect the dots. The worse probably lies in the rough and unimpressive facial expressions drawn by the artists on this project that leave you bewildered at the bleakness of the comic book. Even the colouring is questionable, with some panels filled in with no finesse or nuance, almost as if it was meant to hide the lack of substance in the story.
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince: Night of Knives is a short and flawed episode in the Steel Prince’s life that fails to capture the magic of the series with its choppy and unappealing visual style.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
October 21, 2019
I loved the first arc, but I can't believe how invested and blown away I was by Night of Knives!
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