Harkness, Deborah; The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy #3) "Informal Buddy Read" Start Date August 15

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Sadie wrote: "I finished the first three chapters so far before falling asleep when trying to put my daughter to bed.


I still really [spoilers removed]

I love [spoilers removed]

I can only assume that [spoi..."

I started this today and I have to agree. There was so much going on in these few chapters but I hate Baldwin but love Gallowglass and Phillipe.
I'm reading and listening to this book, depending on where I'm at (in the car or at home) I heard this will be a good one and yes the second book dragged the historical parts but I guess it has something to do with whats going to show up in this book Just guessing.
Hi Ezi *waves*

[Lauren]

Ezinwanyi~the Troublemaker wrote: "I thought I was the only one who was thrown by the switch to Diana in the first person. But it also gave her a sense of control/power and authority. "

I also found the initial transition to 3rd person a bit jolting and was beginning to wonder if it was permanent, especially when we seem to get Diana's 3rd person POV. But then it switched and I was back on familiar ground.

[Lauren]

Comments for chapters 1-6

I was looking through the thread and came across a character list in one of the earlier posts (thanks Kelly!). I thought I would repost it for easy reference. Given how many characters there are, it can be a bit confusing keeping track. It links to Harkness’s site:

All Souls’ Character List

Maybe I'm naive (and bloodthirsty) but if the (view spoiler)[Knights of Lazarus are basically the vampire police-force, then why can't they rise up against the Congregation ... or maybe that will be exactly what happens later down the line when they have more support from other vampires, witches and demons? (hide spoiler)]

Baldwin is such a total ASS! Jeez that man is on some kind of power trip! I hope that Cora singes his backside!

Wow! Benjamin (view spoiler)[ is sounding more and more like a serial killer! He was definitely weird in Shadow of Night but not nearly as sinister as here (hide spoiler)]

[Debbie (Doc)]

Lauren wrote: "Comments for chapters 1-6

I was looking through the thread and came across a character list in one of the earlier posts (thanks Kelly!). I thought I would repost it for easy reference. Given how m..."

Thanks for the character list. This is definitely helpful. I'm having a difficult time keeping all of them straight!

[Debbie (Doc)]

RebeccaS wrote: "I agree! And it seems like some of the secrets are unnecessary and just end up starting arguments. That's the part that really drove me crazy; Diane and Matthew both kept their own secrets but expe..."

I just finished this and definitely agree. It drove me crazy that Diana was this strong woman before Matthew and also appeared stronger without him around. However, she became extremely passive when he told her to do something. Also, when he summoned her, she always ran to where he was. The secrets between the two would have really created issues in a "normal" marriage, but they both simply ignored the fact that they were unaware of the situation.

There were so many characters in this series that I often had to stop and regroup. I had to end up writing down a list of whose who. I enjoyed the series but am glad that it is done!

[Lauren]

I'm on chapter 16 now and (view spoiler)[ I didn't mind the alchemy and the history in the first two books but a lot of the science is going way over my head :0( (hide spoiler)]

I do like how (view spoiler)[Miriam is taking over Chris's lab and putting him in his place. He really annoyed me in Madison with his judgmental crap! (hide spoiler)]

Regarding Matthew and Diana's relationship, I've never found him that overbearing compared to some of the vampire heroes in other PNR that I've read. Yes, he suffers from (view spoiler)[ blood rage but he seems to have it under control and there was only that one scene in Shadow of Night where we see him lose it, but he quickly reigned it in. (hide spoiler)]

I like how Diana and Matthew's relationship is developing and they are opening up more to one another and revealing their secrets. It is definitely a union of opposites but also one of equals.

[Lauren]

On chapter 21

Some big surprises - (view spoiler)[Benjamin is Andrew Hubbard's sire and Hubbard is Jack's sire. I really didn't see that coming! (hide spoiler)]

My heart goes out to (view spoiler)[poor Jack! He has suffered so much and Baldwin is such a total shmuck! I loved that Diana has finally put him in his place, but Cora still needs to singe his backside! (hide spoiler)]

I really hope that Matthew (view spoiler)[doesn't kill Jack. Diana would never forgive him... I think that Matthew is going to end up making his own scion and breaking away from Baldwin. Can't happen soon enough (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Ezinwanyi~the Troublemaker wrote: "I thought I was the only one who was thrown by the switch to Diana in the first person. But it also gave her a sense of control/power and authority. ..."

Thanks for confirming I wasn't going mad!! :D

And yes, that is true

[Lauren]

I'm on chapter 27 - Wow! Things are happening so quickly in this section of the book. I was holding my breath during that scene with (view spoiler)[Benjamin in the library! He makes my skin crawl. Nevertheless, it does look like the Goddess has given Diana the weapon she needs to rid the world of Benjamin once and for all. Now all Diana needs is the courage to do it! (hide spoiler)]

While I feel sorry for (view spoiler)[Gallowglass being in love with a woman that he cannot have, he is deliberately keeping Diana and Matthew apart because of his jealousy and that is NOT going to work out well for him! (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

OMG,OMG!(view spoiler)[Jack is alive. Aww poor kid has the blood rage but his instinct is to protect Diana. He seems to still look at Matthew & Diana as his parents but he has to learn not to try an attack Matthew every time he get near Diana. I hope there is help for him. I was curios if the reason for his instinct to try an attack Matthew, even though he loves him, has something to do with what Bejamin did to him because that song from when he had the witch that he that was being raped. Again Benjamin err. Why does he have to be an ass. He seems to still look at Matthew & Diana as his parents. (hide spoiler)]

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Lauren wrote: "On chapter 21

Some big surprises - [spoilers removed]

My heart goes out to [spoilers removed]

I really hope that Matthew [spoilers removed]"

I have to agree with you. It mad me sad and angry too. I think that Matthew amy do that in the end.

[Lauren]

Comment up to chapter 35:

Diana and Matthew’s (view spoiler)[separation was difficult but their reunion was incredibly emotional. (hide spoiler)]

I think that Matthew (view spoiler)[getting Baldwin into a headlock might be my favorite part of the book, lol! It was really fun seeing him squirm! (hide spoiler)]

OMG! (view spoiler)[Benjamin has Matthew. How the heck did that happen and what about Gallowglass’s sudden return? I really like his character and hope that he isn’t the traitor giving secrets away to Gerbert, Knox and Benjamin. Surely he wouldn’t put Diana at risk simply out of jealousy? (hide spoiler)]

Cora - (view spoiler)[Diana is going to miss her but I suppose she deserves to be free as well (hide spoiler)]

And now we know(view spoiler)[ the secrets of the Book of Life - its time for Diana to kick a little ass! (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

I finished - couldn't put it down at the end.
I loved how all the storylines were wrapped up so well and there is a real sense of closure although I do hope Harkness writes another just so we can see what happens with Gallowglass. He deserves his own HEA.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

So much is going on.

I couldn't belive that (view spoiler)[Gallowglass told Diana that he's in love with her. I guess when you watch and protect someone for so long you start to feel things for them. I feel so bad. I hope he finds someone that he can love. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad that Diana and Matthew (view spoiler)[told each other what they have been hiding from each other. I think they are becoming closer. I just hope they can get through the others so that the scion can be made. I just hope he can be back before the babies are born. (hide spoiler)]

Wow! Diana has skills ^5s. Loved when she (view spoiler)[ handled Baldwin for hurting poor Jack and Cora. (hide spoiler)]

Lauren I have to agree with you. I hope the author writes something with Gallowglass because he deserves his own story.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I definitely agree with you ladies. Gallowglass needs his own book/s. There's so much story that could be told there plus he needs to find his lady.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I finished this book and loved how it came together but still wished there was more of Gallowglass.

[[deleted user]]

I will probably join in for this one, might start a bit later than the 26th though.

[Esther]

I am on chapter 6.... My first impression. I do not get into it as much as the other. I am hit with my usual problem with time travelling plot. it's not the book, it's me. :)

I will go back to the beginning of this thread and read/comment the posts I can later today.

Consider me in the Gallowglass fan club as well.

[Esther]

At chapter 11.

I really really like the bishop house! But would i live in it?

[Esther]

Chapter 20

I like this section at Yale. (view spoiler)[ i could not beleive Matthew would agree to have a science team but it makes sense. I love this section of the book in campus. And definitely like the relationship between miriam and Chris. The blood rage thing is getting old. It feel like they are javing the same conversation agaon and again. (hide spoiler)]

Now about (view spoiler)[ Jack. I so did not see this coming. I wonder where it is going lead to. I am in the middle of Jack "drawing spell" . This cannot be goood.... (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

Just finished chapter 31.

A lot happened (view spoiler)[ i really wonder who feeds information. I have a feeling I will not like it.

I wonder what the twin will turn out to be also with their genetics background (hide spoiler)]