Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library,she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened.
Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realise that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782, and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers... (Goodreads)
Okay, I seriously just love this series. One of my grad students turned me on to it and I ripped through these books in several late-night stints. If you happen to like Outlander (gah--the miniseries! Eep! That's a post in and of itself!), you'll definitely love this book. There's time travel, interesting creatures, and Matthew and Diana are fascinating and enchanting. I particularly enjoyed the historical features of this book, though I wasn't sure if I would--one of the reasons why the first book in the series drew me in was the reality it was grounded in, despite all the creatures. But Harkness makes it work and I found myself seriously enjoying all the cameos, the settings, and watching as the two main characters grew together. Other than that, really, I can only say that I am impatiently waiting on the library for the last book in the series!
Have you had a chance to check out the All Souls Trilogy?
I have read almost all of Harkness's novels. She is wordy but incredibly talented!!!! I'm looking forward to this one, which is already on my Kindle. She is quite the historian, eh?
ReplyDeleteLove the cover and the story sounds interesting:) Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, first things first, this blog makeover! Love it! :D Well done! I have Shadow of Night in my TBR list. Can't wait to get to it.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read the first, and now after reading this, my interest is definitely sparked! She's bound to him...is he super hot? ;) I think I'll go see how much it is on Nook!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful cover. I haven't read this series, although I believe I have the first book.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read anything by this author- though I have heard of her books. I have had the first one in the series on my list for a long time. After reading this- I think I should start reading these asap. They really sound fabulous. I didn't know there was a time travel aspect to them! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments! And if you get a chance--definitely check out this series :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover and the story sounds so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteSounds liek an interesting series, thanks for the intro.
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