[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Shadow of Night

Deborah Harkness is an American scholar, novelist and wine enthusiast, best known as a historian and the author of New York Times best selling novel A Discovery of Witches and its sequel Shadow of Night.


Shadow of Night, book #2 of THE LOST SOULS TRILOGY
by Deborah Harkness

Synopsis:IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

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...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

Shadow of Night, the second installment of Deborah Harkness’s ALL SOULS TRILOGY was a wonderful pastiche of factual history and entertaining fiction, all woven together to create a work of art worthy of any intellectual reader.

Shadow of Night picks up where A Discovery of Witches leaves off, though new readers who are jumping in to this book without having enjoyed the debut novel will have no problems catching on.

Written in several parts, the novel follows Matthew and Diana as they travel back to Matthew’s past in 1590 in search of several things – a witch skilled enough to instruct Diana and hopefully give some answers regarding the incongruence of her magic, and the complete ‘book of origins’ being the main two. As they assimilate themselves in Elizabethan times, some big secrets are revealed, relationships and loyalties are both forged and tested, and they undergo the delicate dance of completing their mission without utterly altering the present reality.

It’s very difficult to write a comprehensive review for this book without spoilers, so I’ll just keep it surface level and say that Shadow of Night is not a light-hearted, quick read (especially not at 584 pages). It’s a well developed, beautifully written, and intricate tale built around some incredible factual research and set in a complex yet compelling world of wonder. The characters are well developed and the twisted facts in the fiction had me doing research into the true lives of the individuals Deborah bases her characters on days after finishing the book, smiling all the while in acknowledgement of the sheer creative cleverness involved.

So in short, LITERAL ADDICTION gives Shadow of Night 4 ½ Skulls. If you’re looking for a book that mixes fact with fantasy fiction, utterly entertains and yet intellectually challenges, and sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page, this series is definitely for you.

Shadow of Night

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness is an American scholar, novelist and wine enthusiast, best known as a historian and the author of New York Times best selling novel A Discovery of Witches and its sequel Shadow of Night.

A Discovery of Witches, book #1 of THE LOST SOULS TRILOGY

by Deborah Harkness

Synopsis:

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 unwittingly 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.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer, Cheryl W:

I was lucky enough to win one of the advanced reader copy versions of Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches, to be released in 02/2011. When I completed the first chapter and woke up the next morning I decided that I had to write my thoughts for the review as they occurred. One of the things that crossed my mind when I first heard about this book was wow. This book is written by a scholar. I researched the author via her university home page because I was curious about her background. When I finished the first chapter I was still in the wow stage and my thoughts were; this is a bridge between scholars and great urban fantasy writers. I love when I get to have both! I wish as a techie scholar I could combine my two loves of computers and urban fantasy. This book was everything I hoped it would be!

I read this slowly despite how I typically devour most books. With some books I slow down intentionally because I realize that I do not want it to end quickly. A Discovery of Witches is that type of book. It is the type of book you develop a relationship with as you read it. I think that there will be people that will fall in love with it as they read it just as I did. I hope that even those that feel that it may not be for them still find something that they can take from the book. It is very intricate. The story is well developed, extremely well written and the characters are very well developed. But, it was not a quick read for me because, I did not want it go fast. For me it is a book that you spend time with and do not forget the places it takes you as the characters are being drawn. The history it discusses is thought-provoking. One of the things I liked was how Diana developed with regard to her powers and her family. Politics were a strong part of the story. With regard to the politics one of the most intriguing things I found was who is involved in the politics. I am trying to keep this review spoiler free. But, as the blurb on the back states we have multiple beings involved in this book and they have a very long history with each other. One of the things that make this book so amazing is the historical backdrop for all of the creatures. I found myself looking forward to learning more about all of the beings. I really look forward to more written by Deb Harkness. I had a hard time deciding how to end my review but it does not spoil anything to shout; “I can’t wait to see what happens next”!

A Discovery of Witches

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Inferno

Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the best selling novels of all time as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and scholars. Brown’s novels are published in 52 languages around the world with 200 million copies in print.

In 2005, Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with “keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise.”

The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing.

Brown is currently at work on a new book as well as the Columbia Pictures film version of his most recent novel.

Inferno - ROBERT LANGDON Series #4

by Dan Brown

Synopsis:

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I'm a Dan Brown fan... I've read all of his works, not just the Robert Langdon series - Digital Fortress is probably my favorite work of his. Anyway, being a fan, I was excited to hear that he was coming out with a new book, had Inferno pre-ordered, and actually waited up until after midnight on release day so I could start it immediately keeping the next day free of commitments so I could dedicate it to reading. Sadly, the only thought that kept running through my head while reading was "Oh Dan, where is the heart!!?" :-/

I like Brown's writing style despite the harsh critique it's received. I enjoy how his books are layered with codes and mysteries, how they're incredibly fast-paced & often surprising, & how he takes facts and then pulls and twists them like taffy as far as they'll go without breaking to turn them into riveting fiction.

I don't even mind the repeated format within the Robert Langdon series - professor and expert on symbology and iconography finds himself embroiled in the middle of a high-stakes mystery, teams up with an attractive, smart and capable foreign woman who helps fill in the gaps and challenges him, and the two cement alliances, skirt villains, and undergo a hair raising adventure to save the world's (or the world itself).

With all that said, Inferno just fell flat for me. It had the expected format as mentioned above. It had the twisted facts as also mentioned above. What it didn't have was any of the action packed thrills and gasp inducing surprises I've come to know and love in Dan Brown's books. In addition, those style critiques I mentioned were very evident in this book to me, where I hadn't even noticed them before: foreign languages used during dialogue - a lot of times without clarification leaving holes for those of us who don't speak fluent Italian or Latin, references that make no sense - a train of thought referral to Dutch city where MC Escher lived (who cares if that's where the artist lived, it has no bearing in the story & took 3 sentences to tell!), simile & hyperbole used in the weirdest of places without much order, etc.

I wanted to love this book. I really, really did, especially given my fascination with and deep appreciation for Dante and all of the other art and literature his Divine Comedy spawned, but alas I just couldn't, and am giving my very first ever 2 Skull review. *sigh*

Inferno

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Descendant

Kelley Grealis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She has a B.A. in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Masters of Businss Administration from Cleveland State University.

She has loved all things vampire since she was a little girl, and it was that passion combined with thirteen years of Catholic schooling, that inspired her to write THE DESCENDANT.

Kelley lives in a Cleveland suburb with her husband.

The Descendant

by Kelley Grealis

Synopsis:

Allison Carmichael wakes from a car wreck with no memory of the past three years. She doesn’t recall her husband’s death or how she alienated her friends, and she definitely doesn’t remember anything about her new boyfriend Vincent Drake – a charismatic man with a penchant for rare and unique possessions. In fact, the only things familiar to Allison are her seemingly common ailments – insomnia, lack of appetite, erratic body temperature – which have gone undiagnosed and are worsening.

But Vincent knows exactly who, and what, Allison is – a mortal descendant of the first vampire. He is a vampire who has watched over Allison and her ancestors since the biblical times of Cain and Abel ensuring their secret is kept. Once he realizes Allison’s symptoms are accelerating and transforming her, he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

Allison discovers that she is a descendant and the first of her kind to exhibit signs of vampirism. She must decide between risking her mortal death if she cannot control her symptoms or fully transforming into a vampire and damning her soul for eternity. A decision made even more difficult when Allison discovers that Vincent has manipulated her life, and everyone in it, so that he can have the one thing no one else in the world has – the first descendant-turned-vampire.

THE DESCENDANT – A Vampire Tale of Biblical Proportions

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I keep saying that I hate doing this - making comparisons to other series and shows - but I seem to be doing it more and more often in my reviews lately if the thought strikes me upon finishing a book, only because it just seems like it would be helpful for readers, and references to well known others is a decent way to do it. Obviously this is all just my opinion... With that said, this story had a very Vampire Diaries (the show), meets Twilight (for grown-ups), meets the Marked series 'feel' for me. HOWEVER, it was incredibly unique in its history and set up; I'm only referring to the 'feel' of the read.

Kelley introduces the vampires in this story as having ties to Biblical figures, and I found that fascinating. In addition, the plot was interesting, and the mystery, suspense and intrigue were well written.

Our heroine begins the book thinking she's going through a massive mid-life crisis and nothing seems to be filling the hole she feels in her soul. While dealing with that and some major health issues that the doctors just can't figure out, her life starts to turn upside down and her mercurial moods are affecting things at work and at home. And then things get really good...

She wakes up in the hospital having fragmented memories of both her past and what happened to get her there, but with the help of her best friend and our hero, Vincent, she starts to regain the life she's lost. Only things aren't quite adding up the way she thinks they should in her head, and the weirdness just keeps multiplying.

I would love to tell you more but I just can't without spoilers, so I can only tell you to take the plunge and read The Descendant. A side note: this book is not a fluffy vampire tale. I found myself angry for most of the story, and would say that Kelley can make a reader tap into a character's feelings betrayal like no other. ;)

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Descendant 4 Skulls and would recommend it if you're a vampire lover looking for a refreshing spin on the norm.

The Descendant

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Wicked As They Come

Delilah S. Dawson comes from a long line of Roswell, GA natives. WICKED AS THEY COME is the first in her Blud series for Pocket/S&S, and a creepy paranormal YA, SERVANTS OF THE STORM, will be out with Simon Pulse in 2014. Delilah is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She is also an Associate Editor at www.CoolMomPicks.com and www.CoolMomTech.com, where she is given the more eccentric and geeky products to cover. Delilah lives with her husband, two small children, and two cats in Atlanta. Find out more at www.delilahsdawson.com.

Wicked As They Come, book #1 of the BLUD series

by Delilah S. Dawson

Synopsis:

First in a steampunk-tinged paranormal romance series in which a woman is transported to a world filled with vampires and magic. When nurse Tish Everett forced open the pesky but lovely locket she found at an estate sale, she had no idea she was answering the call of Criminy Stain, from the far off land of Sang. He’d cast a spell for her, but when she’s transported right to him, she’s not so sure she’s ready to be under the spell of another man. (It didn’t go so well last time with controlling, abusive, domineering Jeff.) If only Criminy wasn’t so deliciously rakish….

Half the inhabitants of Sang are Pinkies—human—and the other half are Bludmen, who in Tish’s world would be called vampires. But they don’t mess with any of the bat/coffin/no sunlight nonsense. They’re rather like you and me, just more fabulous, long living, and mostly indestructible. (They're also very good kissers.) But when the evil Mayor of Manchester (formerly Bludchester) redoubles his efforts to rid Sang of the Bludmen once and for all, stealing Tish’s locket in hopes of traveling back to her world himself for reinforcements, Criminy and Tish must battle ghosts, sea monsters, wayward submarines, a secret cabal, and thundering Bludmares to get the locket back and allow Tish to return home…but has she found love with Criminy? Could she stay in Sang forever?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Tanya C:

Wicked as They Come is the first book in the Blud series by Delilah Dawson.

I was instantly drawn into the wonderfully magical world Delilah Dawson has created. I loved the character of Criminy Stain who was like a steampunk version of The Mad Hatter from the classic Alice in Wonderland.

The story itself was very well paced and did not lack action and intrigue at all. The way the two worlds in Wicked as They Come were so intertwined was what really hooked me, and quickly made me a forever fan.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives Wicked As They Come 5 Skulls and would definitely recommend it.

Wicked As They Come

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Bayou Legend

Janet Breakfield is a paranormal and erotic romance author. A southern girl that loves all things mystical and scary including myth, legend and old horror movies. The smell of leather bound books puts me in a writing mood, and she's a fan of all kinds of music.

Bayou Legend, book #1 of the BAYOU LEGEND series

by Janet Breakfield

Synopsis:

Passion, Voodoo and Curses abound in this thrilling, supernatural story of life in the swamps and bayous of South Louisiana.
The responsibility of being the newest "Treater" rest soley on Emily's shoulders. She has never loved a man until she reunites with her childhood friend, Tanner Guidry. Little does she know that she is his salvation made flesh.
The curse of "Loup Garou" is like a second skin attached to Tanner thanks to Ursulla, the wicked VooDoo witch that cursed his family when she couldn't have his Grandfather years earlier. Now all of the men in Tanner's family carry the curse.
Will Emily's love and magic be enough to save Tanner from the curse and the Witch that wants to destroy him? Will Ursulla's secret be revealed as she tries to destroy Tanner and Emily? Or will her love spell using Tristan to seduce Emily be enough temptation to tear them apart?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Marta C:
Let me start this review by saying I usually read a mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy so was very pleased to be asked to review this book as it is by a new author for me, and who wouldn't want to be gifted with such an opportunity?

This story is about a girl called Emily who has spent much of her life growing up in the Bayou and learning from her Gran how to be a treater [healer] and upon her eighteenth birthday comes into her powers.These powers include hearing thoughts and having the ability to heal those who need it.

Her Gran also tells her the story of Loup Garou [the werewolf legend] and how it affects a local family which includes Tanner, who unbeknownst to Emily, has always loved her.The curse that effects him has been passed down on the male side of his family by a witch who felt shunned by his grandfather.

Emily feels his pain one night and goes to him. They spend a night of passion which is sensed by Ursula- the witch who cursed Tanner's family. The witch vows to separate the young lovers, and sets events in motion that could prove fatal.

So what did I think? It is a unique approach , as the author swaps from Emily's point of view to Tanner's occasionally, which enables the reader to actually get both of their thoughts and viewpoints. This might irritate some readers, but I found that it added to the story.

Bayou Legend does contain scenes of a sexual nature, but I thought it was a sensual romance between two passionate young people and not hard core erotica. It was romantic without being overly graphic, and I didn't feel as if the author was describing a gynecological procedure, nor any crude terms or childish names.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives the tale a solid 4 skulls and would definitely read more from Ms. Breakfield..Magic, Werewolves and passion definitely worth a read. Recommended!

Bayou Legend

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Sacred Bayou

Janet Breakfield is a paranormal and erotic romance author. A southern girl that loves all things mystical and scary including myth, legend and old horror movies. The smell of leather bound books puts me in a writing mood, and she's  a fan of all kinds of music.

Sacred Bayou, book #2 of the BAYOU LEGEND series

by Janet Breakfield

Synopsis:

Just when Emily Bougouis think she has her life and future figured out, all hell breaks loose. Betrayal by the only man she has ever loved is bitter on her tongue as she loses all she holds dear to her heart.
Even though her world is crumbling down around her, she still performs her duty as the "Treater" or healer of the people on the bayou.

The Houmas Indians come to Emily for help to save their
ancient burial grounds. Strange mystical, and frightening forces surround the mounds. Emily has to find her courage, and also a way to stop the destruction coming from a
construction company's demolition plans. By destroying the burial mounds, evil skinwalkers would be able to claim the souls of the dead buried there, denying them entrance to the afterlife. She needs help fighting them and she finds it in the strangest place.

Emily is star struck when she meets Merrick Talbot, who just happens to be the head of the construction company bent on destroying the burial mounds. The handsome stranger has a shadowed past and Emily doesn't trust him. But soon the flames of passion begin to wash away her doubt. The heat between Emily and Merrick is unbelievable, and
she can't help but lose all control around him.
But can she trust him with her life? Can the love and
passion she feels be enough to get her through the biggest heartache she has ever suffered? And will she be able to get revenge on those who stole part of her life away?

She must overcome her fears, and stop the evil destruction at the same time that she is falling in love with Merrick. Life can be a real bitch for a Psychic Healer!

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Marta C:

This is the follow up to Bayou Legend, and continues the story of Emily who has the gift of healing and psychic abilities.

She is deeply in love with Tanner and expecting their first child when cruelly betrayed by him and a local Voodoo Priestess. Heart broken and almost without hope, Emily must find a way to carry on with her life and continue to act as a treater( healer) .

Emily Is approached by a tribe of local native Americans to aid them in saving their sacred burial grounds from demolition by a group of developers who have bought the land.They believe that evil Skinwalkers want to steal the souls of their dead ancestors, and they need Emily's to help prevent this.

Having agreed, she visits the site and meets Merrick Talbot who is in charge of the construction and convinces him to listen to the fears of the Houmas tribe. The attraction she feels for him is immediate and confusing, but Emily is a confident woman and unafraid of her own sexuality. The passion lights up the page as the couple become more and more entangled in their heated relationship. Merrick has secrets and can Emily really trust him? Will her feelings be tested yet again? She will have to trust Merrick with her life but can she trust him with her heart?

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and actually thought that Emily had grown up quite a lot. She is a confident and passionate woman with bags of courage. My only criticism is the length as I do prefer longer tales with passion that build up. That being said, I was eager to turn the pages and find out how Emily's journey would end. Magic, Skinwalkers, Fallen Angels and hot sweaty passion will keep you turning the pages too! I look forward to more from this author.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer rates this book a very solid four skulls, and actually would have give it five if it were just a bit longer.

Sacred Bayou