Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.
Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once 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 royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her '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 — trickier than they hoped.
Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once 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 royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her '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 — trickier than they hoped.
I am really late to this party and I am really disappointed that I have been missing out on this for so long. This book is unlike anything I have ever read before.
At first it took me some time to wrap my head round the story, only because its such a well thought out and complicated world that Schwab has created. A world in which there is 4 different London's. They all the same and completely different. And Kell being the only one of two people in the world
who can travel between the different London's. Kell belongs to the royal family of Red London, he takes messages between the royals of the different worlds and while doing that he also smuggles some other stuff too.
I fell in love with the book, however, once Lila turned up. I instantly liked her and the story got much more interesting. Lila is a thief trying to get some money together for her own ship, forever dreaming of big adventures.
When Kell makes a big mistake, their paths cross and suddenly both their lives are in danger. They become a very unlike team and Lila might just get the adventure of her life.
This book is so original I don't even know where to begin. The world building is another level. Rarely will you find a world that is so perfectly planned out. The story is filled with magic to the brim and you will discover something new about it in every single chapter.
Magical, original, compelling and absolutely unforgettable.
This is a book you can not miss. Schwab has gained a new fan and I cant wait to read the next book, very very soon.
