Dive into the history of Maxim Maresh, the stern king and adoptive father of Kell from the Shades of Magic trilogy, from the pen of New York Times #1 bestselling author V.E. Schwab herself! Two hundred years have passed since the Worlds were magically sealed off from one another. Red London, the capital of Arnes, thrives under the rule of the Maresh Empire. But when King Nokil Maresh learns that his son, Prince Maxim, is fixated on other Londons instead of his own, he sends him on a dangerous military excursion in the hope of focusing the Prince’s attention. Maxim’s destination? Verose – better known as the Blood Coast – a dangerous port city with a reputation for trouble. Within minutes of his arrival, he’s faced with crooks, thieves, con artists and brawlers… Worse, the infamous pirate queen Arisa, feared by outlaws and soldiers alike, has just pulled into port. Beautifully illustrated by Andrea Olimpieri (Dishonored) and expertly colored by Enrica Eren Angiolini (Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor), this thrilling, never-before-told story reveals the secrets of one of the most compelling characters in modern fantasy! “Exceptional… moves at a great pace and the artwork is stellar!” – Culture of Gaming “Possibly the best fantasy comic out there right now.” – Culturess

Through Isra’s guidance, Prince Maxim Maresh has entered the Night of Knives, a mysterious magical tournament, to prove his mettle and win the respect of his soldiers. Under the gaze of the Verose garrison and its population, Maxim had successfully survived the first challenge – a blizzard of magical shards when, while walking along a tightrope of magic steel rope, he was struck by a deadly bolt and sent plunging into the abyss…

Troubles arise for Prince Maxim when the notorious ship, the Iron Grip, docks at the Blood Coast. He discovers that in the past, Arisa, the Pirate Queen, has sadistically assaulted the local royal soldiery, leading to the demise of any troops that opposed her, and leaving only Isra alive. Maxim further learns that not only is Arisa a wielder of powerful forbidden bone magic, she is also Isra’s aunt. Under the cover of night, Isra moves alone to put an end to the Iron Grips moving into the town, but is stopped by Maxim. Together they venture into Verose in search of Arisa and her gang. In the Black Torch tavern, Arisa announces that she is holding a tournament in which the winner will earn a place on her ship, providing they first survive a match with her. In a moment of high tension, Isra loudly proclaims that she will join the tournament – for the sole reason of bringing Arisa to her knees.

A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand. After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive. "A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale...This is a book to treasure."—Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Witness the fate of beloved heroes and notorious foes in the heart-stopping conclusion to V.E. Schwab’s New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy. *Kirkus' Best Fiction of 2017* As darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire, the once precarious balance of power among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. In the wake of tragedy, Kell—once assumed to be the last surviving Antari—begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Lila Bard, once a commonplace—but never common—thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. An ancient enemy returns to claim a city while a fallen hero tries to save a kingdom in decay. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible. Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab "Addictive and immersive, A Gathering of Shadows cements this series as a must-read." —Entertainment Weekly, grade A Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift, and into Black London. In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games-an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again-and so to keep magic's balance, another London must fall...in V.E. Schwab's A Gathering of Shadows. Shades of Magic series 1. A Darker Shade of Magic 2. A Gathering of Shadows 3. A Conjuring of Light At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A sharp-tongued disgraced-noble-turned-mercenary has to stop the world collapsing into chaos in this gripping, savagely funny epic fantasy packed with unforgettable characters, for fans of Joe Abercrombie. Exile. Mercenary. Lover. Monster. Pennyblade. Kyra Cal’Adra has spent the last four years on the Main, living in exile from her people, her power and her past. A commrach, she's welcome among the humans only for her rapierwork. They don't care about her highblood, which of the gleaming towers she came from, nor that her family aspires to rule the Isle. On the Main, superstitions and monsters are in every shadow, but Kyra is haunted by the ghost of Shen, the love of her life and lowblood servant she left behind. She survives by wit and blade alone in a land that would see her dead for who she is, for who she loves. When her fellow pennyblades betray her, Kyra is forced to track the demon preying on the souls of the commoners. She must tear the masks off to see the true face of things, as the age-old conflict between the Main and the Isle threatens to erupt once more.