Play Book Tag discussion

Shadow of Night – Deborah Harkness
Digital audiobook performed by Jennifer Ikeda
3***

Book two in the All Souls Trilogy picks up where book one left off.

SPOILER ALERT – if you haven’t read book one, you might not want to read any farther.


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Diana has successfully transported herself and Matthew back to 16th-century England, where they hope to find a witch to successfully help Diana learn her craft, and, perhaps more importantly, find the original Ashmole 782 manuscript. Matthew, having been here before, has an easy enough time fitting in, but Diana is pretty obviously “not from here” and that causes some issues. There is much political intrigue, not only that related to witches vs vampires vs daemons, and Matthew and Diana are mired deep into the muck quickly.

I was not so caught up in this book as I was with the first one. I felt it dragged in places and I didn’t feel the same passion between Diana and Matthew so evident in Discovery of Witches . I did enjoy the appearances by famous real-life 16th-century figures (Shakespeare, Marlow, Queen Elizabeth I, etc), as well as learning a bit more about the various kinds of witches and following Diana’s quest to find her roots and learn her craft. And I loved her familiar!

Diana cannot seem to let go of her modern sensibilities and has a tendency to interfere in ways that put them in danger. (Sounds familiar to anyone who’s read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.) Matthew continues his usual brooding and protective behavior. As a result, their relationship hits a few bumps but they do manage to work things through. There are times when I want to slap Matthew and tell him to just explain in detail, but I suppose that would lessen the suspense and the tension between him and Diana. Harkness also includes a couple of touching scenes involving parental love as well.

The puzzle continues in book three, which I’ll read – eventually. I don’t feel a pressing need to do so, however.

Jennifer Ikeda did a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She really brings these characters to life.


LINK to my review