orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t love this as much as the first one - perhaps it was all the stuff in the past. Also some parts felt disjointed, but doesn’t mean I’m not returning for the finale of the series.
cloudyqueer's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Maybe it's because I started off with this book first, or because I listened to the unabridged version, but this book was annoyingly slow and boring.
Also, Matthew literally confesses to coercing/raping a former wife of his and begs for forgiveness, which Diana is all too eager to give.
The characterization is inconsistent/incomplete - Diana has no real personality and Felipe (sp?) flips from being completely overbearing and cruel to a man of whimsy and joviality.
The plot is so slow in the beginning until the last 10 or so chapters where characters are all over the place and one apparently dies off screen with no real information about what happened. Could've been an issue with the disks, but I'm not giving the boom the benefit of a doubt.
If this one had enticed me, I would've gone back and read book one but unfortunately everyone is unlovable and uninteresting that I thought of quitting in disc 5.
Oh there's also a 'fantastic' moment where Diana visits with some Jewish characters and they talk about how they have to wear marks so the Christians know they're Jews. And Diana literally says "That's what people would would do to us if they knew we're witches and vampires." I dunno, something about that just rubs me the wrong way.
Also, Matthew literally confesses to coercing/raping a former wife of his and begs for forgiveness, which Diana is all too eager to give.
The characterization is inconsistent/incomplete - Diana has no real personality and Felipe (sp?) flips from being completely overbearing and cruel to a man of whimsy and joviality.
The plot is so slow in the beginning until the last 10 or so chapters where characters are all over the place and one apparently dies off screen with no real information about what happened. Could've been an issue with the disks, but I'm not giving the boom the benefit of a doubt.
If this one had enticed me, I would've gone back and read book one but unfortunately everyone is unlovable and uninteresting that I thought of quitting in disc 5.
Oh there's also a 'fantastic' moment where Diana visits with some Jewish characters and they talk about how they have to wear marks so the Christians know they're Jews. And Diana literally says "That's what people would would do to us if they knew we're witches and vampires." I dunno, something about that just rubs me the wrong way.
msvenner's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this second book in the trilogy but it took me a long time to finish. I'm not sure why, I was enjoying the story and the history, while not a period I'm drawn to, was very interesting. I look forward to the third.
holliejoy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
herbaceousriot's review against another edition
5.0
Ok I can't seem to put these down. So this book is where more of the action was waiting. I have a feeling the next one is going to be filled it it. I did not at all expect this series to blend Fantasy and historical fiction. What an amazingly unexpected mash up.
andibez's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
I am enchanted with the unlikely romance between Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, and their relationship deepens and becomes infinitely more complicated in this second All Souls Trilogy volume. I enjoyed it for that reason, and also because Diana is learning much more about her own magical abilities and coming into her powers as a witch. The descriptions of her magic are strange and wonderful. Deborah Harkness' descriptive powers are astounding, as they were in [b:A Discovery of Witches|8667848|A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1)|Deborah Harkness|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1322168805s/8667848.jpg|13190160]. The 16th-century setting is fascinating, even if Harkness' depiction of [a:William Shakespeare|947|William Shakespeare|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1179017891p2/947.jpg] is less than flattering. (She's even harsher on [a:Christopher Marlowe|11155|Christopher Marlowe|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1210187955p2/11155.jpg], who in Harkness' fiction is hopeless in love with Matthew.) My only disappointments are the fate of Emily...and the fact that I'll have to wait so long before I can read the third book.
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this one as much as the first! I can't wait to read number three!!
selefa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75