Shadow of Night

All Souls, Book 2

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Now a major Sky TV series. A Discovery of Witches season two coming soon.

Listen to the novel season two is based on.

Fall deeper under the spell of Diana and Matthew in the captivating second volume of the number one internationally best-selling All Souls trilogy, following A Discovery of Witches. Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Diana Gabaldon and J. K. Rowling.

In a world of witches, daemons and vampires the fragile balance of peace is unravelling. Diana and Matthew's forbidden love has broken the laws dividing creatures. To discover the manuscript which holds their hope for the future, they must now travel back to the past.

When Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont. Now the 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....

©2012 Deborah Harkness (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Intelligent and off-the-wall, it will be irresistable to Twilight fans." (The Sunday Times)

"I could lose myself in here and never want to come out." (Manda Scott)

"A romp through magical academia." (Guardian)

Great book, fantastic characters

Would you recommend Shadow of Night to your friends? Why or why not?

A great witch/vampire novel....not the same soppy love story that is becoming all too popular. Great depth of characters and well researched historically.

What does Jennifer Ikeda bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful accents, well done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I couldn't wait to get back into the car to listen more.

Exciting & Absorbing Book

Would you listen to Shadow of Night again? Why?

Absolutely. Partly because the story is a little complex (though in a very good way!) and partly because I enjoyed Jennifer Ikeda's reading so much. It's part two of A Discovery of Witches and I highly recommend both of these titles if you are looking for a good listen that will keep you engaged and excited.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Diana the heroine, she's intelligent, fiesty and she's got many, many unusual talents. Who wouldn't want to be her? Second would have to be Isabeau - the vampire matriarch, brought to glorious life by Jennifer Ikeda's amazing characterisation.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but honestly, I would listen to any other performances of hers. She is absolutely amazing. To carry so many different characters, male and female, young and old, to change accents too - really brilliant reading and characterisation. Highly recommend her, she really made the story come to life for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

Brilliant books, excellently read. Very well worth your time.

Amazing

Everything about this book, this series is good. Absolutely love it. Narrator also amazing. So Good.

Great sequel

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "A Discovery of Witches." Harkness writes fantasy and supernatural with depth and enough weight in character and plot to satisfy. This book was almost historical fiction with a supernatural twist and I enjoyed meeting the numerous historical figures in this setting. I will never read "Dr Faustus" the same way again. Although others complained that the book is too long, has too many characters, or goes into too much detail, these aspects of it were its strengths for me. I just enjoyed being immersed in this world. Harkness writes well and obviously has researched in detail, making this fantasy for grown-ups. It is a meaty and satisfying book and long enough to be great value. The narrator is excellent.

Couldn't stop listening

As A Discovery of Witches, once again a great book and a great performance. I loved it

Great sequel

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "A Discovery of Witches." Harkness writes fantasy and supernatural with depth and enough weight in character and plot to satisfy. This book was almost historical fiction with a supernatural twist and I enjoyed meeting the numerous historical figures in this setting. I will never read "Dr Faustus" the same way again. Although others complained that the book is too long, has too many characters, or goes into too much detail, these aspects of it were its strengths for me. I just enjoyed being immersed in this world. Harkness writes well and obviously has researched in detail, making this fantasy for grown-ups. It is a meaty and satisfying book and long enough to be great value. The narrator is excellent.

Great story!

A timeless love story with a supernatural touch! You won't be able to stop listening!

Would highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book and felt the narrators voice suited the story perfectly! The author takes you into another world with the details.
Would highly recommend this one!

A lot of depth in this story

I was drawn into this trilogy by the TV series. The sets were pure eye candy.

The changes in Matthew’s character as he merges back into a darker former persona are insightful and a new selfless hero in the form of Gallowglass emerges. Maybe he deserves his own book.

As an Australian, i find it difficult to get past the grating eastern American accent, but I suppose it is in keeping with the story. The performance was excellent.

History plus fantasy and damned fine writing!

Would you listen to Shadow of Night again? Why?

Read it twice so far, and won't be deleting it in a hurry. It was a joy to have such a thoroughly well-researched novel from a writer who obviously loves her subject. So many other historically based offerings fall down badly with their jarring ignorance of the social mores of the time, but this one actually generates an interest to learn more.

What other book might you compare Shadow of Night to and why?

Diana Gabaldon's time-travelling series come close.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only heard this reader's performance for the first of this (All Souls) series.
She does an excellent job of reading and although there are a few mispronunciations, she has very good breath control and the ability to recognise punctuation and it's purpose . Overall she captures the personalities of the characters and draws the listener into the story. I would listen to her again with pleasure

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were too many moving passages to list here but Diana's jeopardy in the tilt-yard at Greenwich, at the hands of Marlowe and Louisa had high tension, and the bitter-sweet homecoming to Sept Tours left me thirsting for more details.

Any additional comments?

I'm really looking forward to the third volume in this series, please make it soon!