Shades of Magic #2: The Steel Prince (Shades of Magic - The Steel Prince)

Okay, I liked this volume much better than the first one! Even though I wonder: do comics always have such fast pacing? That's somehow what I can't handle at all ... (I usually read manga and there it's always super stretched out xD) I thought the story was really cool with the Challenge, but the quests were done so quickly and the fights are always so fast? I think that's pretty sad, if I'm honest. >-<

This is the second volume of the comics by Victoria Schwab that cement the legacy of the Steel Prince. The titled Night of Knives is a dangerous sequence of challenges for every magician, no matter their social background. Prince Maxim wants to change the lack of respect he experiences in Verose, so he decides to gain it by going through those challenges. However, no one ever survived all four trials... It feels a little strange to read so much plot on so few pages, since I read way more novels. It didn't feel hasty, though. One of the things I enjoyed most is Maxim's steel magic - it just looks awesome! The comic also made me want to reread the Shades of Magic books. It feels so nice to be back in this world! The unexpected plot twist from the ending of the trials also made me wonder about the implications for the books. (I know that the comic was written after the books, but I'm just curious if I can find anything else relating to that!) Another aspect I enjoyed is the interview with the author at the end of the comic. There, Victoria Schwab admits that she didn't really know herself what the Night of Knives was supposed to be when she wrote it for the first time - she just thought it sounded cool. Which I can totally relate to! And she managed to create a very suspenseful and gripping story! I am very much looking forward to the last part of the Steel Prince-saga!