23 thoughts on “Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince by V.E. Schwab”
I’ve been really curious about this, Lashaan. Too bad it didn’t quite work, although I can see why, maybe Schwab’s story is so detailed that the comic format might not be the best.
I was curious to see what the transition from novel to comics would be like too. It’s not bad, but it could’ve been more, if given more room to work with too. I’m excited to see what the live-action will be like though! 😁
Does this new format herald a new age of snobs?
We go from:
“Yeah, the movie was good, but the book was better.”
To:
“Yeah, the graphic novelization was good, but the book was better.”
Or vice versa?!?
Just kidding. This is an interesting concept, bold chance, and I like the visualization.
Why not do comic versions of novels? They do not have to be for everybody; so long as there is an audience, then it seems like a worthwhile enterprise.
Hahahah I think there will always be some people who will think like that, unfortunately! L
It’s cool that authors are exploring the comic book medium and giving people the opportunity to try the medium for once. There are indeed a lot of comic versions of novels (King’s Dark Tower series or Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Tome, for example). They usually aren’t praised as much as their novel counterparts hahah
Great review for this book Lashaan, I read the first part of this The Steel Prince graphic novel and I want to read the rest (because obviously I’m a massive fan of V.E. Schwab) but even just from that small excerpt I get what you mean about the pacing. I mean maybe going into The Steel Prince knowing the world and having that world building from the trilogy will help me enjoy it more. I definitely want to learn more about Maxim and I’m always willing to get more from the Shades of Magic world. 🙂
Again great review. ❤
Thank you so much, Beth! I’m glad to hear that you picked up the first issue. It really does feel off in pacing. Fans of the trilogy will definitely be glad to get more but it won’t be anything like the original trilogy hahah I’m still curious to find out how things will go for Maxim and friends in volume 2! 😁
I should really keep up more – I loved the Shades of Magic series but I had no idea these existed. It’s a shame they didn’t live up to expectations – perhaps graphic novel writing is a skill Schwab doesn’t have down yet.
I do get kind of irritated with prequels that assume a lot of knowledge up front. It feels like a missed opportunity to further develop the world she’d set up in the first books of the series.
I mean, it’s not the worse thing in the world but it definitely could’ve been better. The real problem is that the creative team behind this project didn’t give the story enough room to work with. With only 4 issues, it just felt sped up.
Well, you can read this without any knowledge of the Shades of Magic trilogy since it explores a world outside of Red London, but it doesn’t fully develop it, if you ask me. 😬
Thank you so much for sharing this review, Lashaan! ❤ I really love the Shades of Magic series, but I'm not a big comics reader, so I wasn't sure about picking up that one. I'm a little sad that it didn't live up to your expectations and that it felt a little choppy, at times. Thank you for sharing! I'll have to think a little more about it before actually picking it up 🙂
Thank YOU for reading, Marie! 😉 I totally understand the fear of trying this or having high expectations for it, but it’s not that bad. If you’re curious enough, it’s totally worth trying out, but you should expect some issues in the way the story evolves/is told. Hope you do enjoy it, even a little, if you ever decide to try it out! 😁
I’m so curious about this prequel- but it’s good to know that this was so confusing and that there’s room for improvement. It’s a bit of a shame about the artwork being a double edged sword as well. Great review!
It’s great for fans since they’re more likely to enjoy it as an extension but it still has flaws in its format. Maybe once the run is done it will be appreciated better as a whole rather than for each volume. 😀 Thank you!
Bookidote 
I’ve been really curious about this, Lashaan. Too bad it didn’t quite work, although I can see why, maybe Schwab’s story is so detailed that the comic format might not be the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was curious to see what the transition from novel to comics would be like too. It’s not bad, but it could’ve been more, if given more room to work with too. I’m excited to see what the live-action will be like though! 😁
LikeLike
Does this new format herald a new age of snobs?
We go from:
“Yeah, the movie was good, but the book was better.”
To:
“Yeah, the graphic novelization was good, but the book was better.”
Or vice versa?!?
Just kidding. This is an interesting concept, bold chance, and I like the visualization.
Why not do comic versions of novels? They do not have to be for everybody; so long as there is an audience, then it seems like a worthwhile enterprise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahah I think there will always be some people who will think like that, unfortunately! L
It’s cool that authors are exploring the comic book medium and giving people the opportunity to try the medium for once. There are indeed a lot of comic versions of novels (King’s Dark Tower series or Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Tome, for example). They usually aren’t praised as much as their novel counterparts hahah
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’ll enter this world through the books… I have the first one, but just need to find the time around these epics I’ve got lined up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I think it’s best to dive into the trilogy before the comics and the comics when you need a dose of that universe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to read this one. Nice review 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you do get the chance to try it out, Scarlett! Thank you for reading! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review for this book Lashaan, I read the first part of this The Steel Prince graphic novel and I want to read the rest (because obviously I’m a massive fan of V.E. Schwab) but even just from that small excerpt I get what you mean about the pacing. I mean maybe going into The Steel Prince knowing the world and having that world building from the trilogy will help me enjoy it more. I definitely want to learn more about Maxim and I’m always willing to get more from the Shades of Magic world. 🙂
Again great review. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Beth! I’m glad to hear that you picked up the first issue. It really does feel off in pacing. Fans of the trilogy will definitely be glad to get more but it won’t be anything like the original trilogy hahah I’m still curious to find out how things will go for Maxim and friends in volume 2! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should really keep up more – I loved the Shades of Magic series but I had no idea these existed. It’s a shame they didn’t live up to expectations – perhaps graphic novel writing is a skill Schwab doesn’t have down yet.
I do get kind of irritated with prequels that assume a lot of knowledge up front. It feels like a missed opportunity to further develop the world she’d set up in the first books of the series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean, it’s not the worse thing in the world but it definitely could’ve been better. The real problem is that the creative team behind this project didn’t give the story enough room to work with. With only 4 issues, it just felt sped up.
Well, you can read this without any knowledge of the Shades of Magic trilogy since it explores a world outside of Red London, but it doesn’t fully develop it, if you ask me. 😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a really interesting perspective. It’s not like a publisher to do LESS issues than necessary, haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing this review, Lashaan! ❤ I really love the Shades of Magic series, but I'm not a big comics reader, so I wasn't sure about picking up that one. I'm a little sad that it didn't live up to your expectations and that it felt a little choppy, at times. Thank you for sharing! I'll have to think a little more about it before actually picking it up 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU for reading, Marie! 😉 I totally understand the fear of trying this or having high expectations for it, but it’s not that bad. If you’re curious enough, it’s totally worth trying out, but you should expect some issues in the way the story evolves/is told. Hope you do enjoy it, even a little, if you ever decide to try it out! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had seen that one on your IG account Lashaan! Fantastic review 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah yes! I saw that you saw! 😁😁 Thanks for reading, Sophie! ☺️
LikeLike
Great honest review! I’m sorry this didn’t meet your expectations! I haven’t read Shades of Magic of series yet but I’m hoping to binge it this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Raven! I totally recommend diving into the trilogy before trying the comic book prequel though! Hope you enjoy them all! 😁
LikeLike
I’m so curious about this prequel- but it’s good to know that this was so confusing and that there’s room for improvement. It’s a bit of a shame about the artwork being a double edged sword as well. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great for fans since they’re more likely to enjoy it as an extension but it still has flaws in its format. Maybe once the run is done it will be appreciated better as a whole rather than for each volume. 😀 Thank you!
LikeLike