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anthea_christie's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
daniobsessivelyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Did not enjoy as much as the first one, but still a wild ride into the past.
allyreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Oh once again one of my favorites! Enjoying my annual reading!
This installment of the series is simply amazing. The historian in me is very jealous of Diana! Spending time in the past and meeting those who are legends in our own time is just fascinating. As the story of Matthew and Diana progresses it is impossible not to get swept up and want more!
This installment of the series is simply amazing. The historian in me is very jealous of Diana! Spending time in the past and meeting those who are legends in our own time is just fascinating. As the story of Matthew and Diana progresses it is impossible not to get swept up and want more!
pslili1998's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Oh how I love this series, it may be a part nostalgia as I read the first one when I was like 14 years old.
But every reread I still love it and notice it more and more details. That could also be because the book is quite long and it’s almost impossible to remember everything that happens after 1 read.
I love the dynamic of Matthew and Diana and the way they go about to solve their problems. I love the way historical characters are put into it. Being their own character but recognizable at the same time.
I will always recommend this series for people who like a good fantasy read with romance in it.
But every reread I still love it and notice it more and more details. That could also be because the book is quite long and it’s almost impossible to remember everything that happens after 1 read.
I love the dynamic of Matthew and Diana and the way they go about to solve their problems. I love the way historical characters are put into it. Being their own character but recognizable at the same time.
I will always recommend this series for people who like a good fantasy read with romance in it.
acs8037's review against another edition
adventurous
5.0
Much more fun on my second reread/listen. I love these guys!!!
sumz_4404's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
asreadbykat's review against another edition
3.0
True Rating: 3.7/5 Stars
After I read "A Discovery of Witches," I was beyond excited to read this next part of the trilogy. I was especially excited knowing that this book would take place primarily in the past, which would undoubtedly be an experience given the author's credentials.
Sadly, that is what kept the book from getting a full five stars from me. Yes, they travelled to the past, and yes, there were plenty of name drops I recognized and some I didn't, and it was great to see Diana's historian mind go crazy realizing that knowing something is very different from experiencing it. However, a good chunk of that travel to the past is spent in both Diana and Matthew arguing, yet again, about different aspects of their relationship. On the one hand, it makes complete sense given that they haven't known each other that long. On the other hand, it gets very frustrating to see a couple having the same argument over and over again for at least 300 pages of a 700 page book. Any time that could have been spent on really fleshing out the past they travelled to was spent on those arguments, which means at times it feels like nothing of substance really happens.
That being said, the writing itself is just as good as the first book, and it was easy to see the author's passion for history through not only Diana's own excitement, but also the settings and details added in. We do, FINALLY, get to see Matthew and Diana become closer and accept each other for who and what they are. There were some plot points I didn't even consider, and it was nice to see them coming in.
All told, I do recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the first novel and wants to see where it goes next. I just wouldn't expect huge steps in terms of the plot, and instead expect a slightly slower pacing than the previous installment.
TL;DR: I enjoyed the novel, but pacing and constantly repeating plot points prevented me from diving in and liking it as much as I did the first novel.
After I read "A Discovery of Witches," I was beyond excited to read this next part of the trilogy. I was especially excited knowing that this book would take place primarily in the past, which would undoubtedly be an experience given the author's credentials.
Sadly, that is what kept the book from getting a full five stars from me. Yes, they travelled to the past, and yes, there were plenty of name drops I recognized and some I didn't, and it was great to see Diana's historian mind go crazy realizing that knowing something is very different from experiencing it. However, a good chunk of that travel to the past is spent in both Diana and Matthew arguing, yet again, about different aspects of their relationship. On the one hand, it makes complete sense given that they haven't known each other that long. On the other hand, it gets very frustrating to see a couple having the same argument over and over again for at least 300 pages of a 700 page book. Any time that could have been spent on really fleshing out the past they travelled to was spent on those arguments, which means at times it feels like nothing of substance really happens.
That being said, the writing itself is just as good as the first book, and it was easy to see the author's passion for history through not only Diana's own excitement, but also the settings and details added in. We do, FINALLY, get to see Matthew and Diana become closer and accept each other for who and what they are. There were some plot points I didn't even consider, and it was nice to see them coming in.
All told, I do recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the first novel and wants to see where it goes next. I just wouldn't expect huge steps in terms of the plot, and instead expect a slightly slower pacing than the previous installment.
TL;DR: I enjoyed the novel, but pacing and constantly repeating plot points prevented me from diving in and liking it as much as I did the first novel.
emm_clairee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Shadow of Night. I think I liked it more than A Discovery of Witches because it wasn't as bogged down with the academic scenes. It's still there, and Diana gets to even practice some Alchemy, but it's not as cumbersome. We get to learn a lot more about Diana's magic, and I felt like I could see what she was doing when she practiced. It was creative and elegant.
Matthew is still a broody overprotective vampire, but we get to learn a lot more about him and his past. The School of Night is an interesting set of characters. My favorite characters in the book were probably Phillipe and Goody.
I could not put this down!
For my complete review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2020/01/book-review-shadow-of-night-by-deborah-harkness.html
Matthew is still a broody overprotective vampire, but we get to learn a lot more about him and his past. The School of Night is an interesting set of characters. My favorite characters in the book were probably Phillipe and Goody.
I could not put this down!
For my complete review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2020/01/book-review-shadow-of-night-by-deborah-harkness.html
cahogan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5