3.83 AVERAGE

mysterious slow-paced

I read this as a book club book this year. I was sucked into it. 
It's not perfect. It seemed to slow down and drag around halfway through. I think it could have been shortened and streamlined by about a third. I didn't realize it while I was reading, but thinking about it now, I was mostly waiting for it to end so we could get to the next part of the plot. I started to get tired of Matthew and his stupid vampire BS.
I loved supernatural yoga. I want that. 
I'm going to read the next book in the trilogy at some point, but the more time that passes, the less excited I am about it. 
adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
slow-paced

clarisreads's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 27%

I was on the fence about this book but was still enjoying it. It is rather pretentious and also thinks it’s more clever than it actually is. It’s also very classist and SO slow - I stopped when she bit her lip in concentration and a drop of blood appeared. Wtf is she talking about that is not how that works. I then also realized I really didn’t care about the magical manuscript and there’s prejudice creatures. 
emotional mysterious reflective relaxing tense medium-paced

This was my 34th re-read; it’s my favorite book of all time because it is simply the best book EVER written! I already can’t wait to read it again!

I am writing this review after my third read of this book, and even after three times, it is still my favorite!

This book was my first foray into adult romantasy, and it sucked me in! The romance between Diana and Matthew gives me chills (the good kind)! It is hot and deep and all-encompassing. I love how they come to know each other and learn how to trust and bring out the best in one another.

I love the magic in this book as well. It is the Salem Witch Trials vibe that I love, but while some of the magic is explained with method and rules, other bits of it just have that unexplainable magical essence. I also adore the old academic feeling with Oxford libraries and dusty manuscripts.

The pacing of this book was perfect. There was a perfect balance of action and character. I had plenty of time to fall in love with the people while still being drawn repeatedly in by the excitement. And there was enough character development to make the story interesting but still left room for following books.

This book (and series) will continue to be a go-to reread for me!
adventurous informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Would have benefited from a ruthless editor. Ridiculously long for the amount of actual plot. Great writing though.