Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Series: All Souls Trilogy#1
Publication Date: February 8, 2011
ISBN: 0670022411
Page Count: 592
Summary: A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unknowingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.
REVIEW
Whew! I feel like I just read about 4 different books in one with this novel. The book was very long and I have to say that I really felt its length. Unlike other lengthy books that can seem as though the pages just fly by, I found myself twitching at the pace of this book. It was too slow and drawn out for me and the pivotal, memorable scenes in it too few and far between.
It's a shame because the book features two very likeable characters, Diana and Matherw. Both are incredibly intelligent, interesting and complex. And they have a very good chemistry together as well, even if the passion side of things wan't exactly scorching, you at least truly believed they loved one another very much..
"My ideas about vampires may by romantic, but your attitudes toward women need a major overhaul."
I also felt as though the authors own studies on the history of science were well used, even if a lot of it flew right over my head. The author is clearly a very intelligent woman and has written a very intelligent novel to match. As an self-confessed action lover, however, I just found the pacing a little too slow to get as excited about it as I know some of my fellow book buddies have been. For me it was good, but nothing world-shattering.
3 Stars! ★★★
3 Stars! ★★★
No comments:
Post a Comment