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emklogan99's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sierraashley's review
I liked the idea of the plot, I love Matthew. But it was too wordy and too technical for me. I kept trying to push on at the halfway mark and didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. Not my writing style.
stephdhandy's review
4.0
I enjoyed the story itself, but felt weighed down with the details and descriptions.
alicebme's review
3.0
Freakishly reminiscent of Twilight. Oodles of historical references. The Bishop house is my favourite part.
sitrisummoned's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I feel like I was almost Stockholm syndromed while reading this book. It was an absolute chore to get through, and I almost have up several times.
In the end I stuck around to see what could possibly happen next with the main characters ever growing list of specialness (juat how much of a chosen one can one perso be) and the vague hope I might get some answers for some early questions even though I knew this was the first in a series. I got some answers but they mostly lead to more outlandish questions.
I do like some of the world building and way the different types of supernatural creatures worked, tho the daemons species leaves much to be desired as with no particular supernatural talents other than perhaps premonition they mostly just read are neurodivergent humans, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, especially with them being called deamons of all things (I know there's the deamons vs demons thing but it's not a well known thing and also I listened to the audiobook so I thought it was demons till I looked at the wiki)
In the end I could not find it in myself to care much for either of the lead characters, nor what really happens to them. There are side characters I enjoy but considering where the story is going I think I'll be simply reading the wiki for some story spoilers instead of suffering through more exceptionally long books where the author is trying to get me to desperately care about what happens to Diana and Matthew.
PS the narrator for this did an absolutely fantastic job with her accents and voices for all the different characters, it truly helped me keep them all seperate when my interest in the story overall was so low 💜 great job and I hope I hear you again but with a story I actually enjoy
In the end I stuck around to see what could possibly happen next with the main characters ever growing list of specialness (juat how much of a chosen one can one perso be) and the vague hope I might get some answers for some early questions even though I knew this was the first in a series. I got some answers but they mostly lead to more outlandish questions.
I do like some of the world building and way the different types of supernatural creatures worked, tho the daemons species leaves much to be desired as with no particular supernatural talents other than perhaps premonition they mostly just read are neurodivergent humans, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, especially with them being called deamons of all things (I know there's the deamons vs demons thing but it's not a well known thing and also I listened to the audiobook so I thought it was demons till I looked at the wiki)
In the end I could not find it in myself to care much for either of the lead characters, nor what really happens to them. There are side characters I enjoy but considering where the story is going I think I'll be simply reading the wiki for some story spoilers instead of suffering through more exceptionally long books where the author is trying to get me to desperately care about what happens to Diana and Matthew.
PS the narrator for this did an absolutely fantastic job with her accents and voices for all the different characters, it truly helped me keep them all seperate when my interest in the story overall was so low 💜 great job and I hope I hear you again but with a story I actually enjoy
gracieknowles's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
elcademia's review
3.0
2.5? 2.75? honestly, i'm not sure
i feel like this book could've been condensed from its almost 600 page-length to something more around the 300 area. at first, the story was interesting with the mystery behind why all these creatures want ashmole 782 and why diana was the only one able to retrieve it after it being lost for years. but, this story is a romance first and a fantasy second, and there was just alot with the romance that didn't sit right with me.
first, it's insta-love and their relationship moved WAY too fast (like they got married after knowing each other less than a month and then started talking about having kids). i get they're soulmates n whatever but it was just off-putting how easily diana went from "this vampire is dangerous" to "i would DIE for him".
matthew's entire alpha-male attitude about everything just irked me too. there were moments where he demanded diana obey him and stated that only he was capable of protecting her. also, some descriptions made me just shudder with cringe. the story describes matthew's protective nature as wolf-like...like very wolf-like. honestly, i'm convinced if you switched the words "vampire" with "werewolf", the story really wouldn't have changed.
i feel like alot of my issues regarding the story is mostly because i'm reading this over 10 years after it was published, and times have changed when it comes to what we believe a man's role should be in a romantic relationship. if i'd read around the time it was published, i would've definitely rated it higher, but matthew just gives me the ick.
overall, i feel meh about this book—i don't regret reading it but i also could've done without. not sure if i'll continue with the series because i saw subsequent books are around the same 600-page length.
i feel like this book could've been condensed from its almost 600 page-length to something more around the 300 area. at first, the story was interesting with the mystery behind why all these creatures want ashmole 782 and why diana was the only one able to retrieve it after it being lost for years. but, this story is a romance first and a fantasy second, and there was just alot with the romance that didn't sit right with me.
first, it's insta-love and their relationship moved WAY too fast (like they got married after knowing each other less than a month and then started talking about having kids). i get they're soulmates n whatever but it was just off-putting how easily diana went from "this vampire is dangerous" to "i would DIE for him".
matthew's entire alpha-male attitude about everything just irked me too. there were moments where he demanded diana obey him and stated that only he was capable of protecting her. also, some descriptions made me just shudder with cringe. the story describes matthew's protective nature as wolf-like...like very wolf-like. honestly, i'm convinced if you switched the words "vampire" with "werewolf", the story really wouldn't have changed.
i feel like alot of my issues regarding the story is mostly because i'm reading this over 10 years after it was published, and times have changed when it comes to what we believe a man's role should be in a romantic relationship. if i'd read around the time it was published, i would've definitely rated it higher, but matthew just gives me the ick.
overall, i feel meh about this book—i don't regret reading it but i also could've done without. not sure if i'll continue with the series because i saw subsequent books are around the same 600-page length.
brn's review
5.0
I have read the reviews. Sometimes I wondered about the development of Diana's character. But I am sure that Deborah Harkness had a plan. She picked a rather intricate story to weave. When you look at the heart of the story and the depth of the characters she was trying to create I have nothing but admiration for her. It couldn't have been an easy task to develop the characters with the story she wanted to tell or vice versa. She laid the foundation for her story to continue. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it took me away to another world which is what I look for in any book I pick up to read. Thank you Deborah! Now on to Book 2!