All Souls Trilogy Re-read discussion

For me, one of the best things about re-reading ADoW is getting to go back to the Bodleian "past the rows of Elizabethan reading desks with their three ascending bookshelves and scarred writing surfaces." I love old libraries and the setting enchanted me even before Diana lays her hands on Ashmole 782. When did you realize that you were hooked?

I was reeled in with “Muffled voices chattered in my ear, intruding on the familiar hush of the room." and then "The manuscript let out a soft sigh.”, but I was fully hooked with “A low chuckle startled me. ” Enter Matthew Clairmont.

I thought...oh this is going to be good!

I was hooked when Matthew Clairmont made his appearance!

I think the intrigue and battle going on between Diana's desire to lead a "normal life" and realizing what the consequences might be in opening the manuscript. She knew the manuscript was enchanted and what might happen if she opened the book. Just as opening the book, she may open herself to forces she may have no control over, and that is exactly what happened. Once the manuscript was opened, enter Matthew and a host of other interested parties into her life. Her secret life started to become front and center from that point on. Opening the book opened her life towards her journey towards her true integrated self.

You bringing up an excellent point, Linda. Part of what's so fascinating early on is the tension between who Diana wants to be and who she really is. Just as we've all believed at one time or another, Diana thinks not being a witch is her decision to make. After she opens the book, she begins to understand that the her true identity is far more complicated. Lucky for her she has Matthew to be her guide!

Hi Julie! Yes, Diana's journey to discovering herself and what she could be capable of as a witch was a long complicated journey, and I loved how the other characters in the story contributed to her growth. Especially Matthew of course!

Funny, I almost gave up reading the book! I thought the slow pace at the beginning! What held me was the description of Bodleian library!

Émeraude wrote: "Funny, I almost gave up reading the book! I thought the slow pace at the beginning! What held me was the description of Bodleian library!"

I guess I'm just a sucker for books about books!

Yeah, me too! The descriptions are so perfect and incredible! Immediately after that the characters who snatched me!
World of All Souls is complex and intriguing!

Wouldn't it be fun to look up and see your local library swarming with vampires, witches, and daemons?

The second time around, I am marveling at how subtly Deb set up Diana's history. I certainly couldn't resist an invitation to celebrate the Mabon with the Oxford coven!

I'm with Angela: "Muffled voices chattered in my ear..."

Diana's sensory experience with Ashmole 782 really drew me into the story. Her meeting with Matthew had me hooked.

The amazing interaction between the characters, so complex and subtle! Having such smart, strong, yet vulnerable characters really captivated me!

Lisa wrote: "The amazing interaction between the characters, so complex and subtle! Having such smart, strong, yet vulnerable characters really captivated me!"

It's true, Lisa. ADoW would be a good book if it were only about the relationship between Diana and Matthew, but it's a great book because Deb populates the novel with such a range of characters--good, evil, and somewhere between. Even within creature species, the characters' personalities feel real and fully fleshed out. And that's just the ones we meet in the first few chapters!

I honestly feel like I was hooked just by reading the book's description. However, the first moment I always think back to is when Diana reaches for the book on the high shelf and is spotted by Matthew. It is one of her first concrete demonstrations of recognizable magic. It's also the first time magic felt like it could be dangerous. It highlights how Diana always has to approach her craft with great caution so that it is not recognized by outsiders. In this case, such a simple action could have been seen by anyone and cause trouble. However, it was actually spotted by what instantly feels like the most dangerous person possible. Very exciting stuff!

I was hooked when Diana started to describe how she grew up. With her magical parents and how magic just was. Also the description of Matthew, when he was in the library watching Diana.

"Suddenly two icy patches bloomed between my shoulder blades." Yes, Matthew knows how to make an entrance. I also love how Diana is so powerful that she can't help but use magic even as she does her best to resist it. They are a formidable pair.

I first knew I was hooked when I learned it was in library I love libraries.. Also the topic of witches, vampires and daemons!!

I think it would be so fun to look around in life and be able to see witches vampires and daemons swarming around the library!

Angela wrote: "I was reeled in with “Muffled voices chattered in my ear, intruding on the familiar hush of the room." and then "The manuscript let out a soft sigh.”, but I was fully hooked with “A low chuckle sta..."

Agreed Angela. I loved Diana's reaction when she realized the manuscript was bewitched. She struggled against her need to deny the magic in her but ultimately the historian in her and need to know won out.

I enjoy how Deb makes Diana's over-abundance of energy a sign of her buried powers. Diana herself sees it as a weakness--something she needs to keep in check with jogging and rowing--but it's actually a sign of her strength.

Julie wrote: "I enjoy how Deb makes Diana's over-abundance of energy a sign of her buried powers. Diana herself sees it as a weakness--something she needs to keep in check with jogging and rowing--but it's actua..."

I think its interesting that her "adrenaline poisoning" starts to subside whenever she's around Matthew.

My love for the book didn't coalesce until Hamish and his tough love came on the scene. I almost put it down as well.
I'm glad I didn't because I love the deClermonts so darn much now.

I loved it when I discovered Diana was a rower, I was in an eight at University, and now I row in a single, so I could completely picture the silent water and understand how peaceful it is!

Ryan, I'm with you. I love libraries and the Bodleian is the nexus of the library world.. Add the creatures, science and the love story and it becomes an addiction.

Ryan libraries are heaven I agree but if I'm going to find deacons whitches and the odd 300 year old stunning vampire who can resist.

So many wonderful things happened in the first 10 chapters. As a reader, I always Post-it note parts that especially stand out to me. The first post it note I have is on page 33, where Diana is trying to create a wall with her office supplies and Matthew is staring at her trying not to laugh.

What also really stands out for me is just the quality of Deborah's writing. She has the most subtle and powerful way to draw a reader in to the story. I really love how she peppered Diana's backstory throughout the first few chapters, where we learn about her childhood as a witch. It really was so seamless, and I was able to generate such a vivid mental image through her words. Not just when she was describing Diana's past, but throughout the entire book I'm able to generate a movie in my mind of every part, just with the way Deborah paints a picture with her words.

Julie wrote: "I enjoy how Deb makes Diana's over-abundance of energy a sign of her buried powers. Diana herself sees it as a weakness--something she needs to keep in check with jogging and rowing--but it's actua..."

I couldn't agree more! I get so excited when Diana has these flare ups, I just keep waiting for her to emit her energy and accidentally light something up, or at the very least zap someone.

But I also think that it speaks volumes about her strength, that she is able to control her power through not only physical exertion, but through sheer force of will.

Eleanor wrote: "I loved it when I discovered Diana was a rower, I was in an eight at University, and now I row in a single, so I could completely picture the silent water and understand how peaceful it is!"

I was terrified something was going to happen to her when she was out rowing. It was so foggy and it seemed like the perfect time for one of the other creatures to swoop in on her. Fortunately, it was just Matthew and he waited until she was off the water!

I loved the saga from the first lines. ADOW pulled me in with a scholar in the world's most interesting library....a strong active & fascinating but very real woman who was dealing with identity issues. (And yes,Julie! I loved getting to see Diana frustrated with what she felt were weaknesses.) I loved its portrayal of a variety of very believable & intelligent creatures.....
Also the artistry with which Deb created all her characters. I believed in them all as I was reading. They were all special, no matter how small a part they played.

Calypso wrote: "I loved the saga from the first lines. ADOW pulled me in with a scholar in the world's most interesting library....a strong active & fascinating but very real woman who was dealing with identity i..."

I agree, Calypso. Sometimes minor characters can seem dashed off, but Deb makes every character feel fully fleshed out. It makes you want to follow them off the page and find out more!

Now that we are on the verge of moving on, were there any moments that surprised you or that you read differently this time through?

Julie wrote: "Now that we are on the verge of moving on, were there any moments that surprised you or that you read differently this time through?"
Just a small moment I noticed this time around. . .in chapter 7, when Diana and Matthew are eating breakfast at the cafe, Diana says "Vampires aren't the only creatures who can hunt, Matthew." Then Matthew responds. . "No. We all hunt something, don't we, Diana." The narrator comments how Matthew lingers over Diana's name. Of course, we later learn (or are reminded) that Diana was the Goddess of the Hunt in Roman mythology. How fun!

Lisa wrote: "Julie wrote: "Now that we are on the verge of moving on, were there any moments that surprised you or that you read differently this time through?"
Just a small moment I noticed this time around. ...."

Yes! Love it! I'm going back now to put a post it note!

Lisa wrote: "Julie wrote: "Now that we are on the verge of moving on, were there any moments that surprised you or that you read differently this time through?"
Just a small moment I noticed this time around. ...."

Absolutely! And aren't historians always on the hunt for the past's elusive truth?