Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)
by Deborah Harkness
Published July 10th 2012
Viking Adult
ARC from Netgalley
Thoughts:
I enjoyed the first book and was so looking forward to more of Diana and Matthew as they venture to find the magical book known as Ashmole 782. If the first book contained so much about genetics theories and alchemical experiments, this one definitely filled the mind with a lot of reference to literature, social theories and history.
As Diana and Matthew travel back in time to the Elizabethan era, we are introduced to a whole new set of characters. Sometimes it is hard for me to swallow the fact that Matthew knew so many popular historical figures and that most of them are daemons. Like the first book the plot does meandered a lot and it took some time for Diana and Matthew to achieve their real purpose.
I'd rather missed the characters from the present day which involved Diana's aunt and lesbian lover and also Matthew's colourful family. Most of the time I was wishing that they could hurry and go back to the present because it is tiresome to read an account of how interesting and wonderful Matthew's famous friends are.
The most interesting part for me is when the secrets of Ashmole 782 and the connection between the book and Diana is finally revealed. Other than that, the book is indeed a long read that requires a lot of patience to finish.
Recommended for: fans of the first book
Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
ARC from Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads:
Shortly after Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont timewalk to London, 1590, they discover that the past may not provide a safe haven after all. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy Matthew Roydon, the vampire falls back in step with a group of radicals known as the School of Night who share dangerous ideas about God, science, and man. Many of his friends are unruly daemons - the creative minds of the age who walk the fine line between genius and madness - including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot. Matthew, himself, is expected to continue to spy for Queen Elizabeth, which puts him in close contact with London's cutthroat underworld.
Together, Matthew and Diana scour the bookstalls and alchemical laboratories of London where they follow the elusive trail of Ashmole 782 - and search for the witch who will teach Diana to control her powers.
Thoughts:
I enjoyed the first book and was so looking forward to more of Diana and Matthew as they venture to find the magical book known as Ashmole 782. If the first book contained so much about genetics theories and alchemical experiments, this one definitely filled the mind with a lot of reference to literature, social theories and history.
As Diana and Matthew travel back in time to the Elizabethan era, we are introduced to a whole new set of characters. Sometimes it is hard for me to swallow the fact that Matthew knew so many popular historical figures and that most of them are daemons. Like the first book the plot does meandered a lot and it took some time for Diana and Matthew to achieve their real purpose.
I'd rather missed the characters from the present day which involved Diana's aunt and lesbian lover and also Matthew's colourful family. Most of the time I was wishing that they could hurry and go back to the present because it is tiresome to read an account of how interesting and wonderful Matthew's famous friends are.
The most interesting part for me is when the secrets of Ashmole 782 and the connection between the book and Diana is finally revealed. Other than that, the book is indeed a long read that requires a lot of patience to finish.
Recommended for: fans of the first book
Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
I definitely agree. This one was a bit more of a slog than the first one. Most definitely concur that the historical figures were misused. It felt like showing off, and like most of them were merely there to be in love with either Diana, Matthew or both, which is lame.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the first book from the ALL SOULS Trilogy. I'm not sure I will now.
ReplyDelete