A Conjuring of Light

Osaron spreads through Red London like a dark fog, enchanting its people and turning magic against itself. The royal palace becomes a fortress under siege, and the heroes must decide whether they can trust Holland, the haunted magician who was their enemy, and who knows Osaron better than anyone. Lila Bard, the sharp-tongued thief turned magician, throws herself into the fight with characteristic recklessness, and Alucard Emery, the dashing ship captain, finally gets a larger role.

This is the longest book of the trilogy, and it is less a single plot than a long, tense campaign, with battles, desperate plans and a sea voyage. Schwab's great strength is her characters, and the quieter scenes are often the best: Rhy learning what it means to rule, Kell and Lila arguing their way toward trust, Holland's painful past revealed in flashbacks. The pace slows in places, and the violence is real.

It is a satisfying conclusion that rewards readers who care about these people. Read the trilogy in order. Expect to feel the losses along the way, and to miss these characters when the last page turns. About 624 pages in the Tor hardcover.