The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! π
reka111's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Once there were creatures who swam like fish in the sea and others who wielded lightning bolts instead of spears. They are gone now, replaced with something new
The review contains spoilers!!!
PRELIMINARY
So, first of all, I would like to start by saying that, despite my love of English history, my modest knowledge extends only to monarchs - even those only minimally - just as much as I need, so to speak, I jumped blindly into a rough sea and waited for the miracle that would throw me ashore.Β
I wouldn't say I particularly loved this book, but I didn't hate it. I think that's okay, because it's been so long and no one would be able to keep the reader's attention for that long.Β
For me, I liked the previous part better, but everyone has their own opinion about this.
ββββββββββββββββββ
DIANAΒ
I used to try not to judge and keep all my thoughts to myself, but now I am free to say them. Diana has changed tremendously, and I don't know if it's for better or for worse. For me, she is so complicated β and not in a good way β that I can't figure her out. Sometimes she obeys as simply as if it's the other thing besides breathing that keeps her alive, and other times she resists so fiercely that I think I'm the one who went crazy.Β
In short, she stopped and stopped developing her character as if it never existed. I want the old Diana back in the next book, I really want her back.Β
I am extremely glad that she managed to understand herself and her magic, or at least set out on the path to make this possible. I'm not saying it was a short road for her β and there's so much more left β but I do say that she dragged herself toward her destiny if necessary. She has been through so much and suffered too long to endure it again, and for her sake - and for the sake of her unborn children - I hope she finds the peace and tranquility she is looking for.
MATTHEW
Perhaps I should give up believing in his salvation. He is the devil, a demon, the darkness that consumes the light and even now β for inexplicable reasons β I forgive his sins. I understand the reasons for his actions, I understand them and consider the consequences, I sincerely forgive him.Β
I have to say that he has sunk too far back into the patriarchal order and tried to control what he could not. If he had been my husband and commanded me like that, I would have left him in the hell place and then run back into his arms in case of danger, because let's face it, no matter how bad things he did, he is an indomitable warrior and a great defender.Β
He had an extremely complicated relationship with everyone, but especially with his father. I couldn't really decide at the beginning if they loved each other now or if they were just angry. Either way, the fact that he had to kill him β because my poor Ysabeaum couldn't β in his deathbed is something that will chase me forever.
THE OTHERS
Philippe, I'm crying for him and beacause of him. Somehow I thought he would be kinder, and then I thought he would be crueler. However, he did everything for his family and loved them all with all his heart, even those who caused him so much trouble. I especially liked that despite years passing, he continued to honor the old gods and traditions, the customs of his ancestors. My heart bleeds so much from the knowledge that he couldn't meet his grandchildren.Β
Gallowglass, he's the corner of my heart, the other half of my soul, really. I could give him everything I had for caring so well for Diana, even though he had nothing to do β Louisa could learn from himβ with her. I hope we see him again, because I want to know what happened to him.Β
Jack & Annie, my lives, my little babies. They have grown so close to my heart that I can't even tell you. They both deserve so much, so much better. I cry knowing that Annie will die - her life as a witch is finite - but Jack will live.Β
Goody & other witches, they really put their heart and soul into - even though they were afraid of Diana for a while - to help her in everything, even when they knew all her secrets and sides. I am extremely sorry that we will not get more of them, but as they always say; Don't revisit what's already done.Β
Elizabeth, I didn't think I'd love her, but hey I'm here and I do it. There was a lot of reality to the character (like cavities), and even though I believed how badly Matthew was treating, it turned out that a little toothache and a tiny moment of weakness were enough to melt the heart of ice. They were so cute, the way they nicknamed each other (Lizzie & Sebastian) is honestly one of my favorite scenes.Β
Kit, I don't understand him, but meanwhile I do. I don't think he was the evil one in this story, he was just offended and felt abandoned and desperate souls - just like him - could do anything. Property has gone a long way, but who hasn't?
ββββββββββββββββββ
THE PLOT/ETC.
For me, the plot was a bit confusing, maybe even untraceable at some points, or illogical, but everyone has flaws.Β
The pace was good and we got very authentic period descriptions, which i was very happy about because I thought I would be disappointed.Β
The love thread was still a bit far-fetched for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love them, but I couldn't get married to someone after four weeks and then have kids.
ββββββββββββββββββ
THE END
I can't wait to continue and find out about the continuation of their story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Drug use, Death of parent, and Torture
joey_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Murder, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Rape, and Drug use
kat1105's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Vomit, Torture, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gore
micaelamariem's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A bit disappointed with this one. Good points: it was well written and there mustβve been loads of research put into this which I respect. Not so good points: the books was unnecessarily long and many scenes couldβve been cut out, Matthew was insufferable in his secret-keeping, hypocrisy, and jealousy, and the elements of time travel didnβt make much sense as they thoroughly messed up the timeline!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Murder, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, War, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Addiction, Classism, Confinement, and Drug use
baearles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Addiction, Violence, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Miscarriage, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Antisemitism, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Murder, and Torture
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Violence, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Antisemitism
nestofwordsandblankets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Shadow of Night is a great example of middle book syndrome chock-full of expected tropes and loose ends. There are several trigger warnings that should be researched prior to reading this book.
While there was great imagery of Elizabethan London, the story dragged on with more characters than necessary. I love a good historical reference, but I found myself rereading passages to confirm the connections between the players in this time-traveling adventure. The name index at the end of the book was very helpful.
Matthew and Diana were not likable in most of the story. Their relationship fell into a negative cyclical pattern, which was distracting to the story. How can two people, who are so entrenched in defending their love and discovering truths, feel so unsure about each other? Why would you time travel with someone then? This dynamic made it difficult to believe their relationship was fated and worth fighting for.
There were several open-ended plot lines, which only added to the confusion and frustration of this story. I can only hope the third book will have answers, though a few Elizabethan characters may never have their true conclusion.
While there was great imagery of Elizabethan London, the story dragged on with more characters than necessary. I love a good historical reference, but I found myself rereading passages to confirm the connections between the players in this time-traveling adventure. The name index at the end of the book was very helpful.
Matthew and Diana were not likable in most of the story. Their relationship fell into a negative cyclical pattern, which was distracting to the story. How can two people, who are so entrenched in defending their love and discovering truths, feel so unsure about each other? Why would you time travel with someone then? This dynamic made it difficult to believe their relationship was fated and worth fighting for.
There were several open-ended plot lines, which only added to the confusion and frustration of this story. I can only hope the third book will have answers, though a few Elizabethan characters may never have their true conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Drug use, Death, and Toxic friendship
hexenlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Blood
btrz7's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Oh God, I thought this book would never end.
For as much as the premise sounds interesting and just what I would love (magic creatures time travelling to the past), the book itself falls miserably short of anything.
First, I think I just read a book with absolutely no plot. It drags on and on and on and you really don't know what's the point of it (or rather, you know what the point is meant to be, but the book itself seems to have forgotten). Second, the two main characters became kind of insufferable. Matthew seems to be the most important man at any point in space and time, who knows everyone of importance, is involved in everything,Β and can influence just about anything and anyone. Diana is the most special witch to have existed, and despite knowing nothing about magic, she is also apparently one of the most powerful. Together, they go through time and meet a new historical figure every 10 pages or so. Forgetting, along the way, everything they're there to do.
So yeah, I fail to see what this book accomplished in the trilogy, as most of it seemed to be both of the main characters dressing up and going out and being dramatic about their marriage.
For as much as the premise sounds interesting and just what I would love (magic creatures time travelling to the past), the book itself falls miserably short of anything.
First, I think I just read a book with absolutely no plot. It drags on and on and on and you really don't know what's the point of it (or rather, you know what the point is meant to be, but the book itself seems to have forgotten). Second, the two main characters became kind of insufferable. Matthew seems to be the most important man at any point in space and time, who knows everyone of importance, is involved in everything,Β and can influence just about anything and anyone. Diana is the most special witch to have existed, and despite knowing nothing about magic, she is also apparently one of the most powerful. Together, they go through time and meet a new historical figure every 10 pages or so. Forgetting, along the way, everything they're there to do.
So yeah, I fail to see what this book accomplished in the trilogy, as most of it seemed to be both of the main characters dressing up and going out and being dramatic about their marriage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Infidelity