Where to start with V.E. Schwab

After V.E. Schwab’s sudden surge in fame following the release of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, many readers are finding the urge to delve into the world of Schwab’s writing. But where to begin? Well, I hope to introduce you to Schwab and the multitude of worlds you can dive into.

Schwab is a fantasy and science fiction author, writing novels for all ages. She writes both low- and high-fantasy novels, all with distinct fantastical elements and compelling characters. Reading Schwab’s works, you delve into the exploration of elemental magic, scientifically-created abilities, and vampires, while simultaneously forming an unhealthy attachment to slightly (read: definitely) psychotic serial killers, a forgotten woman, or a pirate too fond of knives. Ultimately, you are bound to find a world or character that you can’t help but hold close to your heart.

Once friends, and now bitter enemies after a certain mishap at a lab, Victor and Eli [in Vicious] use every bit of power and manipulation they possess, stopping at nothing to ensure the other ends up in a grave

I might be biased because this is my all-time favourite book, but the Vicious series is the ideal way to enter the world of Schwab. This series details the journey of two extraordinarily powerful and revenge-driven protagonists. Once friends, but now bitter enemies after a certain mishap at a lab, Victor and Eli use every bit of power and manipulation they possess, stopping at nothing to ensure the other ends up in a grave.

The fast-paced nature of the novel, along with its unique non-chronological narrative, means that readers are constantly engaged, desperate to know how this bone-deep hatred manifested. Not to mention, all of the characters are incredibly compelling – riddled with flaws, a bit too trigger-happy, and definitely unhinged – which, naturally, makes Victor one of my favourite characters of all time.

The fact that Vicious is based in our own world, alongside the simple explanation of the development of the supernatural abilities, means that readers don’t have to grapple with the usual jargon of high-fantasy tales, making it a quick read that is bound to leave you wanting to be part of the ragtag crew Victor forms.

Schwab’s most recent novel spans nearly 500 years and three young women: Maria, Charlotte, and Alice. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so let’s just say, this is a cat-and-mouse game

Alternatively, if you’re craving a dark and twisted novel that depicts the hunger, love, and rage of three entangled lives, the queer novel Bury Our Bones in The Midnight Soil is definitely one to sink your teeth into.

Again set in our world, but with a distinctly immortal and bloodthirsty twist, Schwab’s most recent novel spans nearly 500 years and three young women: Maria, Charlotte, and Alice. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so let’s just say, this is a cat-and-mouse game, with each of the women fighting with their feelings of love and hatred, hungry to find their own destiny.

Schwab’s gorgeous prose throughout this novel immediately draws you in and makes it impossible to put down. This novel, without you even realising it, finds a way to wrap its thorny vines around you, embedding itself so deeply that you can’t help but think about it for weeks after you regrettably reach the end.

After acquainting yourself with Schwab’s low-fantasy worlds, it is definitely time to escape from our dreary world and immerse yourself in the world of A Darker Shade of Magic. This is a novel that combines elemental magic and the ability to cross worlds, creating an exciting and trouble-filled adventure. It plays with the idea of the multiverse, imagining four parallel Londons, all with varying degrees of magic. ‘Grey London’, which is magicless and just a little boring; ‘Red London’, where magic flourishes; ‘White London’, where violence festers and magic wanes; and ‘Black London’, where magic destroyed everything. Kell, of ‘Red London’, is a rare kind of magician with the ability to travel between worlds. Along the way, he meets Lila of ‘Grey London’, a thief with the desire to reach beyond the limits of her dreary world. Together, they find that dark magic, ruthless rulers, and a devastatingly loveable character follow them wherever they go, trying to destroy them and the world of ‘Red London’.

The intricate world-building ensures that readers are completely immersed in the book, making it seem so real that every time you return to the book, it feels like coming home

A Darker Shade of Magic was my first foray into the world of Schwab, and so it holds a special place in my heart. The intricate world-building ensures that readers are completely immersed in the book, making it seem so real that every time you return to the book, it feels like coming home. And don’t worry, it doesn’t take half of the book to understand the magic system. Like every one of Schwab’s novels, the characters are also flawed but deeply relatable, meaning that you can’t help but root for them. Therefore, this series, in my opinion, remains one of the best high-fantasy series you can almost immediately become invested in.

Basically, what I am trying to say is that V.E. Schwab has written almost everything that a fantasy or sci-fi lover could ever want in a novel. Her incredible world-building and character development make you question, just for a second, the possibility of the fantastical.