laurenleigh's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s rare these days that I immediately continue a series, other library holds be damned, but I couldn’t resist with this one. Iloved all the research Harkness put into the first book, but wow there’s even more here! Minor spoiler, but this whole book is set in the past. I kept waiting for them to return to the present, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying the historical setting. I’ve read or watched plenty of stories set in Elizabethan England, but this was the richest depiction I’ve had yet! I see how from a writer’s perspective, historical fiction places a number of restrictions upon you, but to combine that with witches, demons, and vampires is a delightful juxtaposition. I’m so into this world that Harkness has built, and I’m already on book #3!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
Moderate: Violence and Misogyny
redheadsuperpowers's review
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Spoiler
300 pages in and already annoyed with the menfolk. I am reminded of why I avoid historical romances. Matthew has fallen away from his modern memory, and is treating Diana as if she were from the Elizabethan era and not the educated woman she is. At risk due to a jealous ass of his friend, who has attempted to stir witchcraft sentiments against her in a time and place where witches were burned!! I seethe, as all could have been avoided if her was listening and respecting her intelligence. Men.ugh.I read this directly after reading the first in the series. It did lend some to the storyline, but overall, it just reminded me I hate historical novels. I am more of an urban fantasy reader.
Spoiler
In this follow up to A Discovery of Witches, we find our leads Diana and Matthew time walking back to Elizabethan England. With a jealous wannabe paramour for Matthew, active witch hunts, and time appropriate intrigue, it drags a bit. Matthew is once again keeping too many secrets, but Diana is finally learning her own abilities. We meet Philippe and Stephan, and see both leads get some closure with their fathers. Diana changes history by being herself. We met lots of major historical players that were apparently Matthew's friends. That man sure involves himself in major events for someone changing lives so often. All in all, it was a decent book, and while long winded, did lend depth to the storyline.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gore, Classism, Colonisation, Death, War, Blood, Child abuse, Sexism, Stalking, Torture, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Mental illness, and Violence
goosegrimm's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sometimes you need a campy book about witches timetraveling to elizabethian england and getting married to a vampire. This is that book. I found it really slow in the beginning, and while I do enjoy (somewhat) how complex the plotlines are, there were a few times I was frustrated by the detours. However, Harkness still has a really interesting way of handling prose. And I am a sucker for all of the history bits. And overall the last 3rd of the book was quite tight and very satisfying. If you like paranormal romances with a shocking amount of history in them, Harkness is where its at honestly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Xenophobia
katielaine_w's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Turned from a problematic relationship to an abusive one all the good parts of the world building were thrown out ant turned into literal knitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, and Toxic relationship
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Shadow of Night picks up immediately after the ending of A Discovery of Witches, this time in 1590. Matthew and Diane go back in time in an attempt to solve a variety of mysteries that plague the present, and find the missing book.
I'm not sure what I think. I don't really like Matthew, though he is growing on me, a bit like mold or calculus. I have issues with how he treats Diana, and how much he didn't seem willing to help her adjust to suddenly living in Elizabethan England. Or how he treats her and how he doesn't seem willing to help her when they have to go to Prague, tracking a traitor alchemist and the book.
I'm not sure what I think. I don't really like Matthew, though he is growing on me, a bit like mold or calculus. I have issues with how he treats Diana, and how much he didn't seem willing to help her adjust to suddenly living in Elizabethan England. Or how he treats her and how he doesn't seem willing to help her when they have to go to Prague, tracking a traitor alchemist and the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Death
kpem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I really preferred the second book in this series to the first. There was a bigger cast of characters and an interesting setting. I was happy to get to more of the mysteries that are central to the main plot of the series, rather than some of the background information and description of Diana's initial attraction to Matthew that dominated the first book. I still felt that there was too much unnecessary, dense description at times, though with the Elizabethan setting it was often more interesting than in A Discovery of Witches. Still, it often seemed that the characters had forgotten about their reasons for coming to the past for long stretches of time as they spent no time looking for the book of life or a teacher for Diana. So much so that I often had to stop and ask myself why they had gone back in time in the first place because I wasn't sure why they were doing some of the things they were doing.
Another thing that bothered me was the way that Matthew's "blood rage" was discussed. I worry that the text wanted us to think of his blood rage in the same way that we think of mental illness. If this is the case, I am disturbed by the way that it was portrayed as purely genetic and mostly out of his control. I also have a hard time accepting the sacrifices that Diana has to make to deal with his blood rage. I know their relationship is meant to be fated in the series, but I think it's dangerous to use that as an excuse to keep characters in an abusive relationship and treat it like it's romantic. I was particularly bothered by the couple deciding that Matthew would drink Diana's blood, making it impossible for her to keep any secrets or thoughts/experiences to herself, to calm his rage. I don't think she should have to trade away any privacy for a husband who treats her with kindness. He may have had a real reason (the blood rage) for his struggles, but that doesn't mean Diana should have to be in a relationship with no boundaries and constant struggle.
Overall this was much better than the first book, in my opinion. It was dense, long and sometimes meandering, but usually interesting enough to stick with. I still have massive issues with Matthew, though this sequel did some work in making him a bit more sympathetic. The best parts by far, for me, were the times when Diana was with the characters that were new to the series, learning more about herself and her own powers.
Spoiler
I had two criticisms while reading, though. The first is that Diana and Matthew had seemingly no worries about changing the past at all. They don't even discuss it until they meet Diana's father very late in the book, and by then they had been living in the past for months, travelled the world and interacted with countless people of the past. It just seemed really strange to me, especially when Diana is a historian with great regard and knowledge of the past.Another thing that bothered me was the way that Matthew's "blood rage" was discussed. I worry that the text wanted us to think of his blood rage in the same way that we think of mental illness. If this is the case, I am disturbed by the way that it was portrayed as purely genetic and mostly out of his control. I also have a hard time accepting the sacrifices that Diana has to make to deal with his blood rage. I know their relationship is meant to be fated in the series, but I think it's dangerous to use that as an excuse to keep characters in an abusive relationship and treat it like it's romantic. I was particularly bothered by the couple deciding that Matthew would drink Diana's blood, making it impossible for her to keep any secrets or thoughts/experiences to herself, to calm his rage. I don't think she should have to trade away any privacy for a husband who treats her with kindness. He may have had a real reason (the blood rage) for his struggles, but that doesn't mean Diana should have to be in a relationship with no boundaries and constant struggle.
Overall this was much better than the first book, in my opinion. It was dense, long and sometimes meandering, but usually interesting enough to stick with. I still have massive issues with Matthew, though this sequel did some work in making him a bit more sympathetic. The best parts by far, for me, were the times when Diana was with the characters that were new to the series, learning more about herself and her own powers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
radreadswithrachel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Miscarriage, and Violence
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