Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

4 reviews

gillian_aftanas's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

reka111's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Once there were creatures who swam like fish in the sea and others who wielded lightning bolts instead of spears. They are gone now, replaced with something new

The review contains spoilers!!!

PRELIMINARY

So, first of all, I would like to start by saying that, despite my love of English history, my modest knowledge extends only to monarchs - even those only minimally - just as much as I need, so to speak, I jumped blindly into a rough sea and waited for the miracle that would throw me ashore.

I wouldn't say I particularly loved this book, but I didn't hate it. I think that's okay, because it's been so long and no one would be able to keep the reader's attention for that long.

For me, I liked the previous part better, but everyone has their own opinion about this.

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DIANA

I used to try not to judge and keep all my thoughts to myself, but now I am free to say them. Diana has changed tremendously, and I don't know if it's for better or for worse. For me, she is so complicated — and not in a good way — that I can't figure her out. Sometimes she obeys as simply as if it's the other thing besides breathing that keeps her alive, and other times she resists so fiercely that I think I'm the one who went crazy.

In short, she stopped and stopped developing her character as if it never existed. I want the old Diana back in the next book, I really want her back.

I am extremely glad that she managed to understand herself and her magic, or at least set out on the path to make this possible. I'm not saying it was a short road for her — and there's so much more left — but I do say that she dragged herself toward her destiny if necessary. She has been through so much and suffered too long to endure it again, and for her sake - and for the sake of her unborn children - I hope she finds the peace and tranquility she is looking for.

MATTHEW

Perhaps I should give up believing in his salvation. He is the devil, a demon, the darkness that consumes the light and even now – for inexplicable reasons – I forgive his sins. I understand the reasons for his actions, I understand them and consider the consequences, I sincerely forgive him.

I have to say that he has sunk too far back into the patriarchal order and tried to control what he could not. If he had been my husband and commanded me like that, I would have left him in the hell place and then run back into his arms in case of danger, because let's face it, no matter how bad things he did, he is an indomitable warrior and a great defender.

He had an extremely complicated relationship with everyone, but especially with his father. I couldn't really decide at the beginning if they loved each other now or if they were just angry. Either way, the fact that he had to kill him — because my poor Ysabeaum couldn't — in his deathbed is something that will chase me forever.

THE OTHERS

Philippe, I'm crying for him and because of him. Somehow I thought he would be kinder, and then I thought he would be crueler. However, he did everything for his family and loved them all with all his heart, even those who caused him so much trouble. I especially liked that despite years passing, he continued to honor the old gods and traditions, the customs of his ancestors. My heart bleeds so much from the knowledge that he couldn't meet his grandchildren.

Gallowglass, he's the corner of my heart, the other half of my soul, really. I could give him everything I had for caring so well for Diana, even though he had nothing to do — Louisa could learn from him— with her. I hope we see him again, because I want to know what happened to him.

Jack & Annie, my lives, my little babies. They have grown so close to my heart that I can't even tell you. They both deserve so much, so much better. I cry knowing that Annie will die - her life as a witch is finite - but Jack will live.

Goody & other witches, they really put their heart and soul into - even though they were afraid of Diana for a while - to help her in everything, even when they knew all her secrets and sides. I am extremely sorry that we will not get more of them, but as they always say; Don't revisit what's already done.

Elizabeth, I didn't think I'd love her, but hey I'm here and I do it. There was a lot of reality to the character (like cavities), and even though I believed how badly Matthew was treating, it turned out that a little toothache and a tiny moment of weakness were enough to melt the heart of ice. They were so cute, the way they nicknamed each other (Lizzie & Sebastian) is honestly one of my favorite scenes.

Kit, I don't understand him, but meanwhile I do. I don't think he was the evil one in this story, he was just offended and felt abandoned and desperate souls - just like him - could do anything. Property has gone a long way, but who hasn't?

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THE PLOT/ETC.

For me, the plot was a bit confusing, maybe even untraceable at some points, or illogical, but everyone has flaws.

The pace was good and we got very authentic period descriptions, which i was very happy about because I thought I would be disappointed.

The love thread was still a bit far-fetched for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love them, but I couldn't get married to someone after four weeks and then have kids.

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THE END

I can't wait to continue and find out about the continuation of their story!

Content Warnings

kat1105's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

micaelamariem's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

A bit disappointed with this one. Good points: it was well written and there must’ve been loads of research put into this which I respect. Not so good points: the books was unnecessarily long and many scenes could’ve been cut out, Matthew was insufferable in his secret-keeping, hypocrisy, and jealousy, and the elements of time travel didn’t make much sense as they thoroughly messed up the timeline!

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