V. E. Schwab's "A Darker Shade of Magic" completely won me over with its fascinating concept of four parallel Londons, each with its own unique relationship to magic. What really made this book shine though was the dynamic between Kell, the magical traveler with a forbidden hobby, and Lila, the ambitious thief who refuses to stay in her own world. Their reluctant partnership evolves into something genuine as they navigate increasingly dangerous circumstances together.

I particularly loved how Lila breaks the mold as a female character who's genuinely capable and complex—no damsel in distress here! Even the supporting characters have depth and their own motivations beyond just serving the plot. The whole package—from the intricate worldbuilding to the tight storytelling—comes together beautifully. This book definitely earned every one of those five stars, and I'm already reaching for the sequel!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​