Review: Shadow of Night

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I devoured Shadow of Night, the second in Deborah Harness' trilogy. I very much enjoyed it, but while it left me wanting, it wasn't for quite the same reasons as Book One did. This one left MAJOR gaps in the story that were mentioned without any explanation provided by the end of the book. It's clear (at least in my mind, ha!) that Book 3 will be set back in the present and cover the time that Diana and Matthew are gone and then once they return until the story wraps up, but the brief glimpses we see of present time events affecting the group at Sept-Tours end up being a distraction rather than a teaser or addition to the story.

The rest of the story is good, if not a bit long perhaps. Great world-building, great relationship-building, great cast of supporting characters. A great read and I look forward to seeing the trilogy wrap up. Easily 3.5-4 stars and another recommended read.



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Review: A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I hesitate to rate books 5 stars, but this is a solid 4.5 at least. Harkness was a great story teller and while I was hesitant as I've been avoiding the paranormal bent for a bit, this was totally unexpected. More history than paranormal in its focus, the characters are fantastic and are described so well that you feel like you start to know them. The story itself is well woven and was one I couldn't put down. In fact, I had to go buy book 2 at an airport bookstore and spend too much in doing so because I couldn't handle NOT being able to start it on my trip home. Highly recommended as an enjoyable, well-told tale of forbidden love, yet told in such a fashion not to alienate those that don't enjoy the paranormal or romance. The focus is the story, the paranormal and the romance are simply background (yet important background!)



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