The #1 New York Times-bestselling sequel to A Discovery of Witches, book two of the All Souls Series. Look for the hit TV series “A Discovery of Witches,” streaming on AMC Plus, Sundance Now and Shudder. Season 2 premieres January 9, 2021! Picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes reluctant witch Diana Bishop and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont on a … and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782–the lost and enchanted manuscript whose mystery first pulled Diana and Matthew into one another’s orbit–deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them. Together they find they must embark on a very different – and vastly more dangerous – journey.
“A captivating and romantic ripping yarn,” Shadow of Night confirms Deborah Harkness as a master storyteller, able to cast an “addictive tale of magic, mayhem and two lovers.”
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I rarely find the second book in a trilogy better than the first. As an avid reader, generally speaking, second books are the lagging books. But that is NOT the case in Harkness’ second book in the All Souls Trilogy. I actually enjoyed book two more than book one, which was awesome as well. I’m eagerly reading through book three now!
Recommended to urban fantasy readers who enjoy witches and vampires and a thrilling page-turner!
I loved Shadow of Night. The historic elements was fascinating. I loved seeing Diana come into her own. I admit there were times I truly did not like Matthew. I felt he was arrogant. I also struggled with Diana’s decisions and that she constantly did not listen to others’ advice. Sometimes listening to her gut was the correct decision and sometimes if she had listened to others she would have avoided trouble. With that being said, I also feel this made the characters more realistic. These flaws showed they are not perfect and shows their growth and struggle with their roles and their relationship.
There are so many characters we met in this book that are fantastic. I loved Diana’s magic and bond with the gathering. The relationships and bonds she formed in this book definetly made an impact. I am interested to see how they altered the future with their trip to the past.
This book was a great continuation of the first “book“. I state that admitting that I have not read the first book but did see the TV series. As always the books go into much more detail than the TV series. The author describes everything from the shoes worn to how they wear their hair In the 15th century. The authors ability for describing her scenes is one of the best I’ve ever read. Great book can’t wait for the next one. Narration was excellent.
The trilogy is wonderful. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of the plot. I read all 3 books in less than a week. I could not put them down. It is a cross between Anne Rice’s vampire and Mayfair witches series and the Twilight series.
Great book
Book #2 in the All Soul’s trilogy which I think should have read immediately after the first one without almost a year gap in between. But after reading the book and catching up with the series on TV, all I can say is this is the first time I thought that the TV adaption was way better than the actual book, which has never happened before for me. I loved that instead of just Diana’s POV as in the book, the TV adaption gives equal weightage to the events happening in the background too.
The story is too convoluted, too lengthy, and too Elizabethan to make it gripping like the first book. I felt that the historian in the author went a little too descriptive more than the storyteller. Almost 590 pages and all I wanted was to trim and snip out many of the lengthy descriptions. Diane and Mathew are still my favorite couple and I had a good laugh when the author makes fun of all the vampire books out there that most readers love to devour and the common caveman theme that runs in all of them. From the title, I had thought this book would be focused on Mathew rather than Diana but Mathew once again feels like a shadow to the events happening in Diana’s life. There are quite a lot of secondary characters that add to the bulky material in the book but after seeing that Annie is a character who has been completely cut off from the TV series and then thinking about the vast number of people in the book, I realized that many of them do not add much value to the storyline especially the members of School of Night.
I did enjoy the plot even with all that slow pacing and fell in love with Diane all over again for standing up and fighting every bit of the way with Mathew in the face of his jealousies and rages. Though his way with words that are so poetic conveying his intensity of love and emotions towards Daina were, sigh, heart-melting Harkness, however, deserves all the applauds in creating a stunning magical world, the witch’s coven and all that magic inside Diana with the familiar Cora were all beautiful and it is this spectacular imagery that makes me want to pick the next book in the series ASAP.
Expected more 3.5 stars
I thought it was a little more involved than it needed to be. Less time was spent with the actual work of the teaching Witch than with the many attempts to find someone to teach Diana.
I so wanted to like this book as much as I loved the first one….
This is book 2 in the All Souls Trilogy, by Deborah Harkness. The first one was riveting even though it was a big listen at 24 hours. This 2nd book also was a good 24 hours however, I wasn’t as drawn in. As a lover of history and a modern day herbalist, I did enjoy the interaction with historical figures of the time, yet at most times it felt like that was the only thing keeping the story moving along. So much information was presented in the first book but the 2nd didn’t move the story much farther. I’m giving it a GR 4 stars although it really sits more at 3.5. This series is wonderful and I’m hoping it finishes strong with intrigue in book 3. Jennifer Ikeda does a fantastic job at the narration. I will definitely be seeking out more of her books.
I absolutely love this series and have reread it many times over the years. The amount of research is evident and the story is so engrossing.
This was book was the best of the trilogy. Wouldn’t recommend book 2 in the series and book 3 was just okay.
I wish Deborah Harkness would write another series along the line of The All Hallows Series. Her writing is excellent and the historical background is wonderful. The new writers today do not put this much time into doing research. Their characters and the plot fall flat. In fact, some I have read are actually copying off Ms. Harkness plot line (which is a GREAT compliment to her).
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness is an amazing, fantastic story that collides with history, science, and Ms. Harkness’s imagination. It gives us rich places, fabulous scenes, and characters that made even my background of basic knowledge of history wake up and pay attention. I adore this series, and although this isn’t my first time reading it, I doubt that it will be the last.
Will Diana figure out how to use her magic? Will Matthew be alright dealing with what happens in the past? Will they both make it back to the future alive?
Diana Bishop
Diana is such a strong, viable, curious and determined character. There are so many people offering advice and trying to instruct her on how to live her life, yet she finds the strength to do what is needed. Diana stays true to herself and the love that she shares with Matthew.
In the 16th Century, Diana must find herself literally as she has no money, no worth, and is dependent on Matthew. When she first arrives, she can’t even protect herself. Yet, under Philippe’s care and a few good witches, Diana figures out how to be herself and how to handle her magic. She also has to deal with some issues from the present time visiting her.
I love the character, Diana. She is filled with power, yet she chooses to be this caring individual with an open heart who takes in strays and helps those she cares about.
Matthew Clairmont, Roydon, de Clermont…
Matthew has lived many years, and yet once he finds Diana, he must go into his past and face the demons that he has somehow buried. He is a complicated man, with lots of secrets that threaten his sanity and rage that fills him at times. Matthew can handle his rage in the present time, but in the past, things are different, and there are so many others in control of him. Matthew must juggle between his identities, his past self, and his present self. No matter which person he must be at the time, Matthew remains in love with Diana and the life that they are building with each other.
My Favorite Creatures of the 16th Century
Gallowglass
Gallowglass is the vampire son of Hugh de Clermont and Matthew’s nephew. I was immediately drawn to the Gael with his sense of humor. I laughed when he would compare Diana to Ysabeau in a ‘no worrying’ fashion. He is reliable and loyal to Matthew and Diana. I love the way that he calls her “Auntie.”
Phillippe de Clermont
Philippe is a force to be reckoned with. He seems to know your thoughts, anticipate your reactions and test your very being all at the same time. Yet, he has presence and charisma. He makes even the smallest and weakest person feel cared for and understood. Philippe would make a wonderful politician.
I found Philippe mesmerizing. He is such a well-defined larger than life character that I felt he could walk right out of the book. I see why so many people declared their loyalty to him and stood by his side in battle or did the assigned tasks without argument. Philippe seems to find the right person for each task, and they complete the task even though it might cause them discomfort.
When I had first seen Matthew, my instinctive response had been to run. But Matthew—large and brooding as he’d been that September night in the Bodleian Library—hadn’t appeared half so otherworldly. And it wasn’t because Philippe de Clermont was a monster. On the contrary. He was, quite simply, the most breathtaking creature I had ever seen—supernatural, preternatural, daemonic, or human. No one could look at Philippe de Clermont and think he was mortal flesh. The vampire’s features were too perfect, and eerily symmetrical. Straight, dark eyebrows settled over eyes that were a pale, mutable golden brown touched with flecks of green. Exposure to sun and elements had touched his brown hair with strands of gleaming gold, silver, and bronze. Philippe’s mouth was soft and sensual, though anger had drawn his lips hard and tight tonight.
Harkness, Deborah. Shadow of Night: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy, Book 2) (p. 106). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Goody Alsop
Goody is a weaver and windwitch in 16th century England. She is Diana’s mentor. Goody has heard the prophecy of Diana’s arrival in their time and has been looking for her since. She believes in Diana, and they form a strong friendship. Diana learns as much as she can from Goody.
I felt this instant charm from Goody. She is friendly and knows her mind. I like the way that she teaches Diana with positive feedback and hope for the future.
A quote that gives reference to the best descriptions of the de Clermont family.
“Stand down, Matthew,” Philippe growled. The sound was as leonine as the rest of him. The de Clermont family was a menagerie of formidable beasts. In Matthew’s presence I was always reminded of wolves. With Ysabeau it was falcons. Gallowglass had made me think of a bear. Philippe was akin to yet another deadly predator.
Harkness, Deborah. Shadow of Night: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy, Book 2) (p. 106). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Five Stars
My rating for Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness is five stars. She does a marvelous job of keeping up with all the characters in both times, multiple places, and including enough history, mystery, and romance to keep you invested. I truly enjoy reading her books so much. I hope that she is off researching and writing another story, be it in this world or another that has formed in her outstanding imagination.
If you have read this series, I recommend it. If you have time, there is a brilliantly created television series available.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Shadow of Night by Deb Harkness.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Highly engaging and entertaining. I suggest you join NōvelStar’s writing competition this April.
One of my all time favorite series.
The characters come alive in Debborah Harkness Shadow of Night. The characters are still roaming around my mind.
The vampires all have occupations, they have lives, families, and emotional depth. I haven’t read many vampire books before this series, but I doubt they have the depth that Matthew and Gallowglass have and the many others.
I love how the author weaves science, history, and the paranormal into the story.
I love the time-traveling that Matthew and Dianna do, too.
I can’t wait to read the last book in the All Soul’s Trilogy.
This one felt like it was going nowhere every now and then, but overall a wonderful read with a great paranormal couple.
I loved this book even more than the 1st in the series. The world of Elizabethan England came alive with all the detail and fascinating characters. When I read “A Discovery of Witches” I found myself googling “aurora consurgens” and alchemical illuminations. With “Shadow of Night” I found myself wondering about Kit Marlowe, the shape of Rudolph II’s jaw, Elizabethan collars and ruffs, and if it might be possible to whip up an Arbor Dianae in my kitchen. Add to that the compelling storyline, the romance, and that I met my favorite character in the series. I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. I loved it!
Here I thought having twins was an issue, these kids are sure fire to cause big Trouble, and I cant wait lol enjoy!
I’m going to write a general review about the trilogy and copy it for all 3. I LOVED this read. The plot concept was original, the story was well developed (I hate reading short chapters – sure sign development not there) and I could not stop reading until I had finished all 3 books. I’m a big fan and found this story quite entertaining. Hope Harkness is not quite done – seemed to me the final ending left a few things hanging.
I did enjoy this book and look forward to book three !!!