Scan barcode
nestofwordsandblankets's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Shadow of Night is a great example of middle book syndrome chock-full of expected tropes and loose ends. There are several trigger warnings that should be researched prior to reading this book.
While there was great imagery of Elizabethan London, the story dragged on with more characters than necessary. I love a good historical reference, but I found myself rereading passages to confirm the connections between the players in this time-traveling adventure. The name index at the end of the book was very helpful.
Matthew and Diana were not likable in most of the story. Their relationship fell into a negative cyclical pattern, which was distracting to the story. How can two people, who are so entrenched in defending their love and discovering truths, feel so unsure about each other? Why would you time travel with someone then? This dynamic made it difficult to believe their relationship was fated and worth fighting for.
There were several open-ended plot lines, which only added to the confusion and frustration of this story. I can only hope the third book will have answers, though a few Elizabethan characters may never have their true conclusion.
While there was great imagery of Elizabethan London, the story dragged on with more characters than necessary. I love a good historical reference, but I found myself rereading passages to confirm the connections between the players in this time-traveling adventure. The name index at the end of the book was very helpful.
Matthew and Diana were not likable in most of the story. Their relationship fell into a negative cyclical pattern, which was distracting to the story. How can two people, who are so entrenched in defending their love and discovering truths, feel so unsure about each other? Why would you time travel with someone then? This dynamic made it difficult to believe their relationship was fated and worth fighting for.
There were several open-ended plot lines, which only added to the confusion and frustration of this story. I can only hope the third book will have answers, though a few Elizabethan characters may never have their true conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Drug use, Death, and Toxic friendship
hexenlibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Blood
btrz7's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Oh God, I thought this book would never end.
For as much as the premise sounds interesting and just what I would love (magic creatures time travelling to the past), the book itself falls miserably short of anything.
First, I think I just read a book with absolutely no plot. It drags on and on and on and you really don't know what's the point of it (or rather, you know what the point is meant to be, but the book itself seems to have forgotten). Second, the two main characters became kind of insufferable. Matthew seems to be the most important man at any point in space and time, who knows everyone of importance, is involved in everything, and can influence just about anything and anyone. Diana is the most special witch to have existed, and despite knowing nothing about magic, she is also apparently one of the most powerful. Together, they go through time and meet a new historical figure every 10 pages or so. Forgetting, along the way, everything they're there to do.
So yeah, I fail to see what this book accomplished in the trilogy, as most of it seemed to be both of the main characters dressing up and going out and being dramatic about their marriage.
For as much as the premise sounds interesting and just what I would love (magic creatures time travelling to the past), the book itself falls miserably short of anything.
First, I think I just read a book with absolutely no plot. It drags on and on and on and you really don't know what's the point of it (or rather, you know what the point is meant to be, but the book itself seems to have forgotten). Second, the two main characters became kind of insufferable. Matthew seems to be the most important man at any point in space and time, who knows everyone of importance, is involved in everything, and can influence just about anything and anyone. Diana is the most special witch to have existed, and despite knowing nothing about magic, she is also apparently one of the most powerful. Together, they go through time and meet a new historical figure every 10 pages or so. Forgetting, along the way, everything they're there to do.
So yeah, I fail to see what this book accomplished in the trilogy, as most of it seemed to be both of the main characters dressing up and going out and being dramatic about their marriage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Infidelity
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Shadow of Night picks up immediately after the ending of A Discovery of Witches, this time in 1590. Matthew and Diane go back in time in an attempt to solve a variety of mysteries that plague the present, and find the missing book.
I'm not sure what I think. I don't really like Matthew, though he is growing on me, a bit like mold or calculus. I have issues with how he treats Diana, and how much he didn't seem willing to help her adjust to suddenly living in Elizabethan England. Or how he treats her and how he doesn't seem willing to help her when they have to go to Prague, tracking a traitor alchemist and the book.
I'm not sure what I think. I don't really like Matthew, though he is growing on me, a bit like mold or calculus. I have issues with how he treats Diana, and how much he didn't seem willing to help her adjust to suddenly living in Elizabethan England. Or how he treats her and how he doesn't seem willing to help her when they have to go to Prague, tracking a traitor alchemist and the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
fionac326's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Murder, Miscarriage, and Drug use
More...