Reviews

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

sketchydoodle's review against another edition

3.0

I can never quite decide how I feel about these books. I mean, I didn't DISlike them as I read all 3. But at the same time I felt like a lot of the books could have been tightened up and edited to remove extra prose. But maybe the extra information is what makes them THEM?
I never really was invested in Diana and Matthew, but I did like a lot of the secondary characters (especially Phillipe, Isabeau and Gallowglass)

Spoiler

WHY Gallowglass had to fall for Diana though argh dislike

Maybe it's just because the book was not the kind I usually enjoy where the main character gets powers and uses them from earlier on.

Spoiler

Diana only ever really uses hers to defend Matthew. And her powers are not really explored fully. Couldn't she find a way to rip Benjamin's insides up when she was stuck in the library? Why summon a BOW? Rip his muscles up! Then he can't hurt your friend. I know the bow was the symbol of the Goddess needing her to clean up the mess but... yes.

Maybe it is all just because Brandon Sanderson has ruined all fantasy for me by making the Stormlight Archive series TOO GOOD. We'll never know.

racqthebelle's review against another edition

2.0

The final book in the trilogy just felt so rushed. There were random characters popping up that didn't really add anything to the plot, like Diana's best friend Chris and his entire lab group. Overall, I enjoyed the trilogy, but little things always bothered me and kept me from truly loving it. First, Diana reads like a Mary Sue in a bad fanfiction. I like her personality, but there's just SO MUCH going on with her. She has every hair color on her head! Her eyes are like stars! She has every witch marker in her DNA! Everyone is madly in love with and/or overly protective of her!! She lights up! SHE IS THE BOOK OF LIFE! And Corra. Other than finding Ashmole 782 at the end, what was the point of her? To just hang out in and around Diana and shoot sparks every once in a while? Speaking of things hanging out inside of Diana, how many things can her body contain at once?? Arrows, firedrakes, babies, books, witches knots, the list goes on.

Overall, I would say that this is an okay book. Not terrible, but not the best thing I've ever read. It's perfect for summer reading or if you want something that's light and entertaining.

dragonflymorning's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not sure what threw this books rhythm out of sync, but it just felt... off to me. Book two moved well, but book three started grinding again. It was a good wrap up of the series, but just not a great book.

martideno's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

nora_the_worm's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

burnbright's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

2.5

Unnecessarily long. The issues of the other books become magnified in this one.

katrinaxx's review against another edition

3.0

Not as good as the other two in the series. Found it boring and didn't even finish the whole thing.

railyuhreads's review against another edition

3.75

Look, is it the most well-written book? No. Am I invested in the story? Yes. Enough to keep reading the series! 

sydneyrp143's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

comfyread's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I felt that this book was rushed and tried to tie up all the loose ties too quickly. I still enjoy Denorah Harknesses way of telling an exciting story while getting in a lot of leasure time.