Okay, I know this is yet another series that is being picked up as a potential television show within the last 6 months or so, so it's nothing special, BUT THIS BOOK IS SPECIAL.
If you guys haven't heard (or read) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab yet, it's this absolutely wonderful and gorgeous story of 4 parallel Londons, each with varying systems of magic. You have Grey London (ours) where magic doesn't exist, Red London where magic lives in harmony with the people, White London where the more magic you have, the more power (and fear) you have, and Black London where magic has gone rampant and destroyed everything. There's only a specific few that can travel between these worlds, so yeah. I can't say more. Please just go read it.
Anyways. What I'm trying to get at is that this book is utterly amazing, so now the question becomes whether it possibly becoming a tv show is a good thing. One one hand, I would absolutely love a tv series, as we need more good book to adaptations. But that's the other thing: we need good adaptations. Numerous times they've failed. And I really don't want to see this book crash and burn, because it deserves to be spectacular.
The rights of the tv series has just been picked up, so even if this series is going to happen, it's still a long way off from actually going live. You can find the announcement here. And, in the meantime, you can go read A Darker Shade of Magic, either for the first time or as a re-read, in preparation for the sequel A Gathering of Darkness coming out February 23rd, 2016!
What do you guys think of this news? Do you think A Darker Shade of Magic will be a good tv show?
Goodreads 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. |
It's going to be a TV show? Oh that sounds really good! I do hope that they don't mess it up though, since it always happens. Like Shadowhunters, for example. I've heard some negative reviews about it, but some really positive ones as well! I can't wait to see how ADSOF will be!
ReplyDeleteCloe @ Mornings and Epilogues
I hope they don't mess it up too! We can only hope for the best...
DeleteI heard the news yesterday... and I wasn't really thrilled. Idk there are so many movie/tv adaptations lately and I kind of become wary of them. It's like the writers have no creativity to create new movies. And most of the times those adaptations fail. The book is so much complex and magical, and the adaptations don't do justice. Let's just hope it's going to be amazing, and not too rushed of course!
ReplyDeleteTasya // The Literary Huntress
My thoughts exact! I feel like practically every book is being picked up for an adaptation, but the adaptation track record isn't that great...so if they do make this into a tv show, I seriously hope they do it right!
DeleteI freaked out when I saw it on twitter!!! For what the author has shared it looks like she would be deeply involved in the process (she is writing the pilot script I think) and I think when authors are highly involved usually the movies/series tend to be good. I hope so at least! I'M SO EXCITED!
ReplyDeleteLaura @ psilovethatbook
Very true! If the author is involved, I'm sure she'll know what to write to get our attention. Here's hoping that the director listens to her, since she's the mastermind behind it all!
DeleteI think this book could make an awesome show if it’s done right. Though, I’ve kind of lost my faith in book-to-TV adaptations after seeing that Shadowhunters show. I didn’t love the books, and the TV show is even worse.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I'm with you there. I can feel my faith slowly dwindling with every new adaptation. So many of them are cringe-worthy, and it's starting to reach a point where I think they should just stay books!
DeleteI'd never heard of this book but it sounds amazing! But I would be wary of a TV or movie adaption of it, even an adapation of any book series makes me nervous. I mean, I still watch Shadowhunters, but I'm quite disappointed in how it turned out; it's so cringey! I'd just be afraid of that happening with this book too. I feel the same about the Obsidian movie, I don't have high hopes I think it'll be the same as the Vampire Academy movie.
ReplyDeleteHollywood really has no more creativity, do they? I feel like Pixar is the only company that's coming up with new content these days!
I haven't read A Darker Shade of Magic (though I really want to!) but I totally agree with you about being anxious to have a favorite book adapted into a TV show. If you look at the shows that have been adapted and successful (Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars) they always veer off from the source material a lot. Here's hoping they'll be more accurate with A Darker Shade of Magic!
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ReplyDeleteThis series sounds amazing!! I think I'll pick it up once I'm done reading my other books. But yeah I'm a but wary of books-tv shows.... I mean after watching the Shadowhunters tv show I was really really disappointed. They changed a lot of stuff and being a avid reader of Cassandra Clare, I couldn't help but point out all the differences, and trust me there was a lot! The actors in the show are mediocre at best in my opinion, and plus the scenes in the tv show felt so rushed and cheeey. So yeah my faith in books-tv shows have dwindled. The only good books to tv shows I've watched are all based on CW.
ReplyDeleteCindy, you need to read this book! It is absolutely amazing, and takes fantasy to a new level!
DeleteWow! What a nifty-sounding story. I love my magic, and having multiple different versions of London influenced by the usage/knowledge/lack of knowledge of magic? How cool!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about being nervous about the TV show. You want it to be so good, to do real justice to the series! I think this would be a fun one, though. I hope it turns out well.
This book is definitely one of the great ones! I highly recommend you read it if you get the chance. That being said, it's also why I'm extremely nervous for it to become a tv show! All these "what ifs" keep popping in my head, and more often than not, the worst usually happens...but I suppose only time will tell!
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