The Fragile Threads of Power, V. E. Schwab
The Fragile Threads of Power, V. E. Schwab
2 Rating(s)
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The Fragile Threads of Power

Bestseller

Author: V. E. Schwab

Narrator: Kate Reading, Marisa Calin, Michael Kramer

Unabridged: 21 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/26/2023


Synopsis

Veteran narrators Michael Kramer and Kate Reading return to this fantastical world, along with a new POV portrayed by Marisa Calin.

"As the threads converge, all three narrators strive to remain as consistent as possible to each other's stylistic choices, creating a nearly flawless whole."- AudioFile

V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, opens another door to a new fantasy series set in the dazzling world of Shades of Magic.

Prepare for tangled schemes and perilous adventures with friends old and new in The Fragile Threads of Power.

Once, there were four worlds, nestled like pages in a book, each pulsing with fantastical power and connected by a single city: London. Until the magic grew too fast and forced the worlds to seal the doors between them in a desperate gamble to protect their own. The few magicians who could still open the doors grew more rare as time passed and now, only three Antari are known in recent memory—Kell Maresh of Red London, Delilah Bard of Grey London, and Holland Vosijk, of White London.

But barely a glimpse of them have been seen in the last seven years—and a new Antari named Kosika has appeared in White London, taking the throne in Holland's absence. The young queen is willing to feed her city with blood, including her own—but her growing religious fervor has the potential to drown it instead.

And back in Red London, King Rhy Maresh is threatened by a rising rebellion, one determined to correct the balance of power by razing the throne entirely.

These two royals from very different empires now face very similar struggles: how to keep their crowns—and their own heads.

Amidst this tapestry of old friends and new enemies, a girl with an unusual magical ability comes into possession of a device that could change the fate of all four worlds.

Her name is Tes, and she's the only one who can bring them together—or unravel it all.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

About V. E. Schwab

VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books. Schwab's series and standalone titles for readers of all ages have made her a major literary figure, whose notable works include the Villains series, the Shades of Magic universe, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. When not haunting Paris streets or writing in the corner of her favorite coffee shop, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

About Kate Reading

Kate Reading is the recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been named by AudioFile magazine as a “Voice of the Century,” as well as the Best Voice in Science Fiction & Fantasy in 2008 and 2009 and Best Voice in Biography & Culture in 2010. She has narrated works by such authors as Jane Austen, Robert Jordan, Edith Wharton, and Sophie Kinsella. Reading has performed at numerous theaters in Washington D.C. and received a Helen Hayes Award for her performance in Aunt Dan and Lemon. AudioFile magazine reports that, "With subtle control of characters and sense of pacing, Kate’s performances are a consistent pleasure."

About Marisa Calin

Marisa Calin is an actress, narrator, and novelist born in England and educated in New York at the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts. An artist with a flair for everything literary, she has written a young adult novel, You & Me, which received a Kirkus Starred Review, and has narrated the audio books Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier.

About Michael Kramer

Michael Kramer has narrated over 100 audiobooks for many bestselling authors. He read all of Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time fantasy-adventure series as well as Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive series. He received AudioFile magazine's Earphones Award for the Kent Family series by John Jakes and for Alan Fulsom's The Day After Tomorrow. Known for his “spot-on character portraits and accents, and his resonant, well-tempered voice” (AudioFile), his work includes recording books for the Library of Congress’s Talking Books program for the blind and physically handicapped.Kramer also works as an actor in the Washington, D.C. area, where he lives with his wife, Jennifer Mendenhall (a.k.a. Kate Reading), and their two children. He has appeared as Lord Rivers in Richard III at The Shakespeare Theatre, Howie/Merlin in The Kennedy Center’s production of The Light of Excalibur, Sam Riggs and Frederick Savage in Woody Allen’s Central Park West/Riverside Drive, and Dr. Qari Shah in Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul at Theatre J.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily on August 20, 2023

(4.25) I'm a big fan of Schwab at this point so I was very excited for more adventures in this world. The magic system and the world building are the strength... and some characters. I really liked Tess and her magic - she can see the threads of power - but I still can't stand (view spoiler)[Lila (hide spoiler)] . Enough action with......more

Goodreads review by Nilufer on April 06, 2025

Buckle up urgently for an unforgettable and marvelous ride that will transport you to realms beyond imagination! Prepare to surrender your full concentration and let go of any distractions because, my dear reader, you are about to embark on a literary journey that will not only surpass the best Dark......more

Goodreads review by Kai on August 04, 2023

Just a few words: The plotting and suspense here are truly masterful. Such a joy to read, never once gets boring, incredibly rich and magical. I would have loved to see more of the new characters and less of the old ones (there’s two especially, one might as well wear a plaque that says I’m not like......more

Goodreads review by EmmaSkies on June 10, 2023

My most anticipated read of the year is done and I don’t know what to do with myself. I was waiting so hard and now the waiting is done and what do I do without the waiting? I love these characters. I love this world. So much. I am so happy to be back in it. If you're worried that maybe you won't se......more

Goodreads review by benedicta on October 04, 2023

3.5⭐️ this played less games with me than ADSOM 💅🏽Sometimes Tes fixed things. Now and then, she even made them better. But she knew, better than most: anything that could be fixed could be broken again. this review is dedicated to my people who didn't completely enjoy ADSOM trilogy especially those w......more


Quotes

Praise for the Shades of Magic series
“Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure.” —Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author, on A Darker Shade of Magic

"Feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." —io9 on A Darker Shade of Magic

“Compulsively readable...her characters make the book.” —NPR on A Darker Shade of Magic

"This is how fantasy should be done.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on A Gathering of Shadows

Praise for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
“Schwab’s page-turner is an achingly poignant romantic fantasy about the desperate desire to make one’s mark on the world.” —Oprah.com, Best LGBT Books of 2020

“One of the most propulsive, compulsive and captivating novels in recent memory.” —Washington Post


Awards

  • Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year