Shadow of Night is the second book of the All Souls
Trilogy. Book two is spent back in 1590. Matthew and Diana travel back to
London to hopefully find a witch who can help Diana learn to control her
witchcraft and find Ashmole 782. They start out in London where we meet historical
figures like Christopher Marlowe, who is a daemon, and extremely jealous of
Diana. Other key characters of that time Thomas Harriott, George Chapman,
Walter Raleigh, are all friends of Matthew and make up The School of
Night.
Diana and Matthew go to Sept Tours in
France where Matthew is from. This time we meet Matthew's father Philippe. At
first he is overbearing and doesn't agree with his son's relationship with a
witch, but Diana wins him over. He is a powerful vampire and many respect the
patriarch of de Clermont. If I had to cast Matthew's father and nephew
Gallowglass I would take from the movie Braveheart. During the visit we
experience a vampire wedding, and yes, finally a honeymoon.
When they travel back to London they meet
Queen Elizabeth. Matthew has a special relationship with the queen as a spy.
The Queen sends Matthew to Prague on an assignment. There they meet King
Rudolf, the Holy Roman Emperor. Matthew becomes jealous of the Emperor's
obsession over Diana. He compares her to goddess Diana. They find Ashmole
782 and learn there are many secrets hidden inside the book.
Diana and Matthew's entourage almost
become a little family. Annie and Jack are like adopted children.
Back in London Diana meets with a group of
witches who help her understand her special powers as a weaver.
My favorite part is when Diana meets up
with her own father, who happens to be a time traveler like herself. I
considered book two as the "father" book.
This is a well-written story with many true
historical figures all intertwined in a vampire/witch forbidden love story.
Diana Bishop is compared to goddess Diana
