Read from June 14 to July 19, 2012

Read for Fun/
Got a Papercopy from Publisher but choose to buy the Audiobook instead!
Overall Rating: 5.00
Story Rating: 4.75
Character Rating: 5.00

Audio Rating: 5.00 (Not Part of the overall Rating)

NOTE: I am addicted to the audio version of these books! Seriously y'all--it is so darn good!!!

First thought when finished: The history lover in me loved this book! The Discovery of Witches fan was equally as impressed! :)

What I thought of the Characters: Deborah Harkness has a wonderful way with characters. You love them, you hate them, and you love reading what they are up to. Often times I felt like I was watching through a window as these people went along in their daily lives. All of the characters that were introduced in Shadow of Night from history were fascinating and very well flushed out. I was so caught up that at the end I really wanted a story about their back stories. I know I am being greedy but it is true! I also loved the continuing stories from Discovery of Witches. Diana is coming into her own (love her story arch) and she is my favorite character. Matthew is working through who he is as his past and future collide (so to speak). Diana and Matthew's relationship is epic and at the core of their characters. I wouldn't have it any other way!

What I thought of the Story: I would say that Shadow of Night is slightly slower than Discovery of Witches. It has a different pacing until about halfway through when Diana really starts getting into who she is as a witch. At that point, the story was off and running. I was listening to it every spare moment I had and still couldn't devour the book fast enough. I am pretty sure I had what my friends Tara and Amanda call P.A.B.D. (Post Awesome Book Disorder). I mean I listened to the last hour---twice! I wanted the next book now!!!!

What I thought of the Audio: Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda at a running time of 24 hrs and 30 mins, Shadow of Night was well worth it! I can't say enough of Jennifer's narration! She manages to get the pacing, emotion, and characterization just right! If you can listen to long audiobook, I highly recommend this one!

Final thought: I am a huge fan of this series! I highly recommend it!

In the first book, Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness introduces us to a world of vampires, witches and demons, living amongst humans. This first book of the trilogy describes the relationships between the three types of creature, and their relationship between humans. It then sets up the major protagonists, develops their relationships and loyalties and sends them off on an adventure.
The second book, Shadow of Night tells the story of the adventure which adds nearly nothing new and often falls into mawkish historical romance. Ultimately, listening to it became a marathon of wading through the irrelevancies for the brief flashes of interesting developments.
I finished the book because I believed until the end that something would happen to develop the plot but it never did.
I had eagerly awaited this second book in the trilogy but I am not sure I will bother with the third one.
The narration was excellent.

So, I devoured Discovery of Witches in print and through audible.com, and eagerly anticipated this sequel. Throughout the book, there were glimmers of delight, but it was such an obvious 2nd installment of a three-part series, that I wish I'd waited until the 3rd book was released so I could read both books back to back. Perhaps the many facets that were lacking in this story wouldn't be so noticeable if I had the 3rd book to immediately go to once this was finished... as it is, I have a very anticlimactic, unsettled feeling remaining as I finished Shadow of Night.
The story proceeded as expected, but without the intense action and suspense of the first book. The rich historical detail was lovely, but did nothing to enhance this very lukewarm story. There are also a few annoying plot holes that I hope will be filled in once the 3rd book comes out (I don't want to get into details and spoil anything for those of you who haven't read it yet, but the holes are pretty significant).
The performance was good, the reader using a nice variety of distinct voices for the MANY characters in the story (I read in another review that there is an index of characters in the print version of the story... and that there re 85 of them!). There were a few unusual 2 - 3 second pauses throughout the story that were a bit distracting, as well.
I wish I hadn't had my hopes up so much. I wish I had waited until the 3rd book came out.
Sigh... I am kind of regretting using a credit on this book.

Listened to this book in 3 days....was sad when it was finished. I look forward to the 3rd book to finish the story. I like historical fiction. Reminds me of the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series. Yes it is fantasy but the interaction of the characters and the story kept me interested and wanting more. I want the next book now!

Deborah Harkness wrote an excellent book: The Discovery of Witches. This sequel does not stand alone. While I enjoyed parts of the story, the book just did not stand-up on it's own. The first book ended with me having a desire to read the second book. This book left me feeling disappointed in the weak plot that goes nowhere and has no point.

A sequel should have a full plot and read like a run-on sentence or collection of parenthetical illustrations that while giving more information, really add little to the story.

At the end of the book, the main characters return to the present from the past without having accomplished anything.

I did find the time dilation and paradox to be interesting when describing the effects of time walking in the past on the present.

I hope the author takes the time with the third book to actually have a complete plot and story that enhances the previous books, but also stands on it's own as a complete novel. This book shows the author's laziness after having a successful book. Had he first book been this weak, I would have never read the second book. Writing one good book, is not an excuse for the author to crank out disappointingly weak story and plot.

The publisher and editor should be ashamed. The author should have tried.

Very disappointed.

If you're a fan of romance novels, vampires and historical fiction, you may just enjoy this series. Perhaps that's the problem, I don't like romance novels, hence, I didn't like this series. The premise seemed interesting, and I do like historical novels, this one had just a bit too much romance and too little intrigue for my tastes.

Absolutely

The Outlander or Into the Wilderness

All of them

Phillip, He really dose right by everyone even 100's of years in to the future.

This is a story you will go back to many times.

I was delighted by the story; the first book I felt was good. This book was so much better than I expected. I found myself glued to it and I just did not want it to end!

Great new characters and a perfect mixture of beloved old characters from the first book, Discovery of Witches!

The book didn't get started until the last half of the book, and the end was a big let down.

Yes.

I was very happy with her performance.

The 1st half of the book.

I felt the ending of this book was unfinished and needed work.

This book was as good as if not better than the first one! The story draws you in and tatilizes you with tidbits along the way. This may be a drawback for some since there was no true climax to the story. It builds up character back story and swells towards an inevitable battle which we will eagerly await in the third book. I can't wait!