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dragonflymorning's review against another edition
4.0
It's not often I enjoy a second book more than the first installment, but this book delivers. I enjoyed the historical aspect and real characters mixed amongst the fictional. I'm curious to see how it ends, but fear returning to the present will remove the elements I enjoyed most. We shall see...
georgiesmusings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmchivers's review against another edition
4.0
I have enjoyed the premise of the story and the world Harkness has created in her All Souls Trilogy. The characters are charming, and I love that her writing pulls you into the time and place. Although her writing is vivid and beautiful, I found it too full of purple prose and pointless events, creating a very slow progression of plot. I just couldn't find what pulled the story forward. It read more like an aimless biography than a story with a purpose. I wanted to thoroughly enjoy this series but I think I will stop here.
I also struggled with the length of it. Throughout this long book, I sensed no true direction in plot that was enticing enough to finish the novel. I did trudge through it, but I do not think it was worth it. I felt the author repeated herself often and had an overuse of unnecessary descriptions. Harkness frequently reiterated the point of the story, yet never really brought it to fruition. Although I enjoyed the cadence of the author's voice, I do not think I enjoyed my journey through the book and was grateful when I finished it.
I also struggled with the length of it. Throughout this long book, I sensed no true direction in plot that was enticing enough to finish the novel. I did trudge through it, but I do not think it was worth it. I felt the author repeated herself often and had an overuse of unnecessary descriptions. Harkness frequently reiterated the point of the story, yet never really brought it to fruition. Although I enjoyed the cadence of the author's voice, I do not think I enjoyed my journey through the book and was grateful when I finished it.
ceruleanorchid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarahchoi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sydneyyh's review against another edition
3.0
Meh, it was alright. I didn’t enjoy Matthew through most of this book and once again it was just a whole lot of nothing happening. Diana is there to learn magic and learns like two things and she still isn’t great at them. I don’t think I’m going to continue reading these because I just don’t care enough to.
eleniempress's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.25
paigeam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
lucys_library92's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For me this second installment was weaker than the first. I enjoyed the book overall but it took me a while to finish and at times felt like a drag. I feel like it definitely could have done with some editing to tighten the plot.
Despite it being such a long book with lots of stuff happening it didn’t really seem to move the plot forward, which left the story feeling quite unsatisfying overall. I’m hoping the next book is better and I’m still looking forward to seeing how the series ends
davidbythebay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a bit of a filler book, one that advances the plot of the overall story without adding too much to it that will have real impact. It meandering a bit and didn't seem to answer questions, just ask them again or add more. I don't understand how the time spinning works insofar as the impact it would have on Matthew's life. They really met a lot of famous people- some witches, demons, or vampires who would know to keep things secret, but many others who would probably let it slip. And then to have a wife and suddenly not even know you have one because you don't, as only your future self is married, is just too much of an unexplained hole to overlook.
Why, then, is it 4 stars? Because it was enjoyable. It was an enjoyable trip to Elizabethan England and France. It healed wounds and grew the characters despite not advancing the plot much.
Why, then, is it 4 stars? Because it was enjoyable. It was an enjoyable trip to Elizabethan England and France. It healed wounds and grew the characters despite not advancing the plot much.