A Darker Shade of Magic

In this section, the action and suspense intensify as the antagonists’ plot is revealed and the characters reckon with the consequences of their decisions. The black stone grows increasingly difficult to let go of and drains more energy each time it is used until eventually it fuses itself to Kell’s hand in Chapter 12. Kell’s guilt sticks to him as closely as the stone. When Lila asks about his smuggling, he tells her, “I made a mistake. One I intend to fix” (266). This further explains why Kell is so determined to sacrifice himself to ensure the stone returns to Black London; he feels responsible for the pain and destruction wrought by the stone, as he was the one who brought it into their lives, even though he was tricked into doing so.

In addition, Schwab explores the theme of Choice and Consequence through two side characters who sow the seeds of their own undoing. Ned, a man from Grey London, harbors prideful delusions of becoming a mighty magician. The magical enthusiast receives a twisted version of his wish when he is possessed by dark magic beyond his comprehension. This incident serves as a small-scale reflection of Power as a Path to Corruption, acting as a preview for the levels of danger involved in the magic the major characters are dealing with. In Chapter 10, Fletcher seeks payback for the arrogant way Kell behaved toward him years ago and is killed by the very guards he summoned. Through these characters, Schwab presents the consequences of recklessness, pride, and revenge.

To develop the theme of The Nature of Family, the author provides more information on the characters’ backstories. In Chapter 10, Lila and Kell recount the first time they each took a life. Lila’s story took place under traumatizing circumstances involving betrayal and sexual assault. Her biological father’s attempt to sell her when she was 15 helps to explain why Lila is so quick to fight and slow to trust; she learned at an early age that, if she doesn’t protect herself, no one will. If Lila’s story shows that blood relation doesn’t equate to loyalty, then Kell’s shows how strong the love between adoptive family members can be. His account helps the reader better understand Prince Rhy and the relationship between the brothers. Rhy may be “fickle and hedonistic” (254), but he is also merciful and empathetic. He wept over the injuries Kell inflicted on himself on his behalf, and this sense of guilt explains why Rhy still hates seeing Kell use blood magic. When Rhy is gravely wounded in Chapter 11, the knowledge of the characters’ backstories gives context as to why Kell is so quick to blame himself for his brother’s injuries and so willing to sacrifice himself to save Rhy.

Schwab uses a number of literary techniques to build suspense in these chapters. The narrative shifts between the adventurers and the people who’ve been consumed by the stone’s magic. In Chapter 10, the guards sedate Kell, causing the reader to wonder who else has been possessed. In Chapter 11, the stakes rise when Astrid reveals that she is possessing Rhy and has the king and queen under enchantments as well. The rapid back-and-forth scene shifts between Lila and Kell keep the intensity high. When Astrid explains the villainous plot concocted by her and her twin brother, she mentions that the black stone has another half. This fulfills the foreshadowing hinted at by the stone’s rough-hewn edge. The Danes’ plan also develops the theme of Choice and Consequence: Astrid sees the attack on Red London as retribution for Red London’s decision to abandon White London centuries ago.

In Chapter 12, the future of the Antari takes center stage with dramatic fight scenes and foreshadowing. Tieren notes that Lila possesses a glass eye and dormant magical powers, and the rabid mob of White Londoners want to devour her for magic. These clues foreshadow that Lila is an Antari, which is confirmed later in the series. However, at the time, Kell fears that he will soon be the last blood magician because he mortally wounds Holland in a magical duel. Throughout the novel, Kell feels a sense of kinship for his fellow Antari, but the embittered and embattled Holland argues that more divides them than connects them. He tells Kell, “You’ve never had to fight. And you’ve certainly never had to fight for your life” (337). Despite Holland’s promise to show Kell what it means to fight for his life, Holland chooses to let Kell win because he doesn’t want to exist as the Danes’ puppet. With the final blow, Kell destroys the mark Athos uses to control Holland: The metal bar “protrude[s] from Holland’s chest, the metal and blood obscuring the seal scarred over his heart” (340). Although this is not at all how Kell wanted things to end between him and Holland, he still helps his fellow Antari by freeing him from the Danes’ control. With the threat of Holland eliminated, Kell and Lila must turn their attention to defeating White London’s “despots” and save the worlds.