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authorrubyduvall's Reviews (154)
Some things I liked, some things I didn't. Overall, this book did a better job of introducing important characters than the first in the trilogy. But, as with the previous book, I think Shadow of Night could've used a little paring down. Certain historical details were great, but there were times when the plot seemed to be taking the reader on an unnecessary tour of the 16th century. Also, I sometimes grew frustrated by the number of characters, and so many of them had names (rather than, for example, "the old apothecary") that I had trouble understanding who was who.
Things I didn't like:
Bury Your Gays: The only explicitly non-straight characters in the All Souls Trilogy, so far, have been Diana's aunts and, in Shadow of Night, Christopher Marlowe (or "Kit"), who is for all intents and purposes an antagonist, despite supposedly being Matt's friend. From the start, he causes life-threatening problems for Diana, and Matt does not do enough to nip it in the bud. I was disappointed not to see another gay male character who was an ally or at least indifferent to the MCs. Kit disappeared for a while, though, and I hoped he wouldn't reappear (or if he did, that he'd be less murderous), but no, he again tries to kill Diana, only more directly this time. Though the Marlowe of history did die young to stabbing, I really wish the book hadn't turned him into a villain. Alternatively, the author even had an out where she could've suggested that Marlowe's death was faked, which maybe could've been an opportunity for Kit to get a little redemption arc.
But still, we have Diana's amazing aunts, right? Nope! I realize the third book will certainly get into it, but at the end of Shadow of Night, it's revealed that not only did Emily die while Diana and Matt were time-walking, but she was apparently murdered.
So, of the three non-straight characters, two were in a loving relationship but one was murdered off-page, and the third was given stereotypical jealousy and violence over an unrequited love. Did not like.
Easily Forgiven: That said, I yelled a curse when I got to the part where Diana is about to go save the lives of the two people, including Kit, who tried to murder her by tying her to a pole and jousting at her. I would've taken any excuse besides the one she gave, which is that she didn't want Matt to punish himself by torturing two attempted murderers. Like, I get it, but the dude is fifteen hundred years old, has killed probably thousands of humans and creatures alike, including his father, and has lost hundreds of friends and family over the years. Diana was already way too late to stop Matt from torturing them for a few hours, and killing the two people who tried to murder his pregnant wife probably wouldn't have been the straw on the camel's back, especially when Kit had already endangered Diana's life at least twice before the final murder attempt.
Still, I was mostly going to accept this bullshit, but then Diana said something like, "Kit's high as a kite. This isn't him." And it's like, "BITCH, he tried to get you arrested on charges of witchcraft in your first fucking week in the sixteenth century! THIS IS HIM!" If Diana was going to have to give Matt yet another reason to stop torturing Kit (besides the only one that should've mattered: her asking him to), I would have rather she say that Matt shouldn't alter a major event in history.
Also, when it comes to Matt's blood rages and the various ways in which he despises himself, I'm kind of tired of him getting endless plot excuses to roll around in the same old anger issues and trust issues he's had from the beginning, with Diana repeatedly pulling him out of some new deep hurt or insecurity.
Things I didn't like:
But still, we have Diana's amazing aunts, right? Nope! I realize the third book will certainly get into it, but at the end of Shadow of Night, it's revealed that not only did Emily die while Diana and Matt were time-walking, but she was apparently murdered.
So, of the three non-straight characters, two were in a loving relationship but one was murdered off-page, and the third was given stereotypical jealousy and violence over an unrequited love. Did not like.
Easily Forgiven: That said, I yelled a curse when I got to the part where Diana is about to go save the lives of the two people, including Kit, who tried to murder her by tying her to a pole and jousting at her. I would've taken any excuse besides the one she gave, which is that she didn't want Matt to punish himself by torturing two attempted murderers. Like, I get it, but the dude is fifteen hundred years old, has killed probably thousands of humans and creatures alike, including his father, and has lost hundreds of friends and family over the years. Diana was already way too late to stop Matt from torturing them for a few hours, and killing the two people who tried to murder his pregnant wife probably wouldn't have been the straw on the camel's back, especially when Kit had already endangered Diana's life at least twice before the final murder attempt.
Still, I was mostly going to accept this bullshit, but then Diana said something like, "Kit's high as a kite. This isn't him." And it's like, "BITCH, he tried to get you arrested on charges of witchcraft in your first fucking week in the sixteenth century! THIS IS HIM!" If Diana was going to have to give Matt yet another reason to stop torturing Kit (besides the only one that should've mattered: her asking him to), I would have rather she say that Matt shouldn't alter a major event in history.
Also, when it comes to Matt's blood rages and the various ways in which he despises himself, I'm kind of tired of him getting endless plot excuses to roll around in the same old anger issues and trust issues he's had from the beginning, with Diana repeatedly pulling him out of some new deep hurt or insecurity.
This book was...almost too painful to read. I really waffled on whether I'd give 5 stars because sometimes the plot seemed to be pulling in too many things and delivering too many punches. It was a long, hard strain on my heart and patience.
But, it's definitely so well written that yes, I'm giving it 5.
Just...gird your loins for this one, folks.
But, it's definitely so well written that yes, I'm giving it 5.
Just...gird your loins for this one, folks.
Like the first two books, this one was overwritten. Fatigue set in at about the 70% mark (I can only read so many superfluous historical details and exhaustive descriptions of the furniture in a room), at which point I began to skim. I found the three-day delay for Diana to lobby the Congregation while Matthew was being gruesomely tortured to be enormously aggravating, mainly because the Congregation didn't end up doing shit to actually rescue him . There were too many characters, and eventually I stopped caring who was talking unless it was Matthew or Diana. And though I did skim at the end, I'm fairly certain that the author never explains what Emily was hoping to accomplish with the magic that was at least partly responsible for her heart attack and death. Was Emily trying to locate one of the missing pages? Who knows!
Despite not loving this trilogy, I'm glad I read it and I'm proud of finishing, but going forward, I don't think this author's style is for me.
Despite not loving this trilogy, I'm glad I read it and I'm proud of finishing, but going forward, I don't think this author's style is for me.