Hardcover, 579 pages
English language
Published Nov. 14, 2011 by Viking.
An epic, richly inventive, historically sweeping, magical romance.
When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires.
Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing.
As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for …
An epic, richly inventive, historically sweeping, magical romance.
When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires.
Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing.
As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels.
Loved it. Stayed up all night reading it. Super fun. This is the paperback boxed trilogy. Still working on the other two.
I have seriously mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I like the world, the setup, the vampires and witches, the history stuff…
On the other hand, I felt like Matthew spent an inordinate amount of time “coldly furious.” Like, for the first two thirds he was coldly furious about 70% of the time, or so it seemed to me. I don’t personally find that hot or romantic. It’s kind of a red flag. Add to that the whole I am an alpha vampire and must be obeyed thing, and nope.
And yet at other times he’s cute. Like handing out trick or treat candy, etc.
I also found Diana’s passivity super annoying. I usually like learning magic stories, but this one bugged me for some reason.
My favorite parts were when they gathered together at the house, although I, like Diana, was annoyed by the testosterone poisoning …
I have seriously mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I like the world, the setup, the vampires and witches, the history stuff…
On the other hand, I felt like Matthew spent an inordinate amount of time “coldly furious.” Like, for the first two thirds he was coldly furious about 70% of the time, or so it seemed to me. I don’t personally find that hot or romantic. It’s kind of a red flag. Add to that the whole I am an alpha vampire and must be obeyed thing, and nope.
And yet at other times he’s cute. Like handing out trick or treat candy, etc.
I also found Diana’s passivity super annoying. I usually like learning magic stories, but this one bugged me for some reason.
My favorite parts were when they gathered together at the house, although I, like Diana, was annoyed by the testosterone poisoning going on. It ends on a super cliff hanger as well, but I’d watched the TV series and I think I liked it better!
Abandoned book. Just didn't care for the plot really....
No rating given as I didn't finish it.
I would love to keep reading this series if I didn’t have to sit through another chauvinistic vampire with toxic masculinity issues. Truly I want to know more about Diana’s magic, Ashmole 782, what is wrong with the magic and why the <spoiler> species are going extinct </spoiler> but I just can’t sit through another book with Matthew.
Very firmly in the did not like. I did finish it, but I grumbled and complained throughout. The other reviewers did a great job at highlighting the very toxic items. It's also a very long book with little payoff. I'm glad I got it from the library instead of buying it.
I have to say that this book was a huge surprise for me. I do not normally like, romance novels, books about vampires/ witches/ daemons, extensive tomes or tales that leave me hanging. This book was all of those things; yet, I found it to be a great read. And to think, there are only 1400 or so pages left to go. I hope they're as entertaining.
Good story, nice character development, solid romance (not of the bodice-buster style), and long enough to really build the world. I'll be reading the next installment even if it is the tired old trope of forbidden love between a vampire and a woman. She just happens to be a witch this time.
All Souls Trilogy: Harry Potter for Grown-Ups? nyti.ms/2HjP7rL
My mother recommended this book to me, so I came into it without knowing a since thing ahead of time. 20 pages in I thought “wait is this a vampire romance? Oh no it’s a vampire romance.”
So yeah it’s a vampire romance, in very much the post-Twilight mid-00s fashion, which feels intensely dated now. It’s a long book with a lot of historical detail which can be fine in some places and overly descriptive in others. Too many things happen at random in the plot, which makes the dramatic payoffs seem unearned. Worst of all the leading vampire hero is stalky, imperious, and controlling, and I detested him from start to finish.
One extra star because I do have a soft spot for romance, and when the plot moves along without being too preposterous it can be un-put-downable. But really, ugh
I wasn't sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars. I finally met the writing itself make the decision, although I really didn't like the way it ended: too many unanswered questions and no true conclusions, but the author really didn't leave you hanging as some do. In the end, it was more romance than action, although there WAS good action. I guess it just wasn't my kind of book. The characters are well presented, and tension between individuals is pointed out and made clear. It was nice to see familial loyalty – but only when appropriate – reign.
When I wasn't yelling at the characters, it was pretty decent. Just... I expect skills demonstrated early on to be used later. "You solved it! Yay! You... you're ignoring what you said you... ARGH."
I had no idea what I was getting in to, when I started this book. I was glad I read it though. The world building was pretty interesting, and this didn't leave a lot of questions. I liked both Diana, and Matthew, and I'll continue with the series. :)
love the world, but the terrible romance and strong man/weak woman trope drove me nuts
Diana Bishop is a modern-day witch who has spent the majority of her life ignoring her powers (for the most part). One day, she calls up a book with a mysterious enchantment on it and finds herself in the middle of a war between other witches, vampires, and daemons. Reminded me of both "Twilight" for the forbidden love aspect, though much more complex and MUCH better written, and "The historian," though less esoteric. Wonderful story, great characters. I was so disappointed when it was finally over. All I'm going to say it this better be the first in a series!
Edit: Did I really not know this was the first in a trilogy when I first read it? Odd. Re-read as the 3rd and final book comes out next week. Surprisingly enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Another edit: Still loved this the third time around :-)
I seriously could not put this one down. I'm picking up the next book tomorrow but already dreading the wait for the third. Such are the pitfalls of loving a new series of books.
I am a sucker for a good fantasy/mythology story especially one that peppers the narrative with real historical references (I did lots of research into the Frankish kings, alchemy, the Knights Templar.) But this book veered dangerously close to Twilight-level campiness at times. Overall, it wasn't a waste of time, but I'm hesitant to continue the series.
