Witches, Vampires, Skeletons, and Lights?

We’ll I’ve quite busy since posting my initial blog and haven’t made it back to post on what was to be my first book review on Discovery of Witches. I thought this would be appropriate since it  was just Halloween. My dear friend Amy suggested this book to me since I am having withdrawals from True Blood, which I can also blame on her.

First of all I was very impressed with all the details Mrs. Harkness, a 17th historian, puts into the book. From the wine to Ashmole 782  to knights of the crusade- you can tell a lot of work was put into this book. I must say if you don’t enjoy the book then at least you will get some great wine suggestions however chances are you won’t be able to afford them. But back to the book…

 The heroine Diana Bishop, who happens to be a witch that is trying to forget about her special powers,  is researching alchemical manuscripts in Oxford’s Bodleian library and she unknowingly opens a lost manuscript that has been bewitched. Once this happen, every magical being seems to show up in the library. Diana finds herself teaming with Matthew Clairmont, a centuries old vampire, to defend herself from the other witches who want the lost manuscript and herself. In order to discovery her true powers and the meaning of the book Diana and Matthew must travel back in time.

I should first mention  this book is being followed by a sequel that is scheduled to come out in July 2012.  While many of the authoritative reviews did not like like the book, I found it hard to put down. While I know the fantasy of witches and a vampires has been played out, Mrs. Harkness put a nice adult spin on the typical romance plot and plugs nice historical details into the text. My thought is if you read the first chapter and like, you love the book. If not just put it down.

I’ve also read two books by Sarah Addison Allen over the weekend –quick reads (The Peach Keeper and The Girl Who Chased the Moon). While they do fall under allure of mystical beings and death, the are truly playing up the author’s southern roots.  I am not sure if they are book I would recommend to friends but  if asked I would not say don’t read them. They definitely did not leave me with the feeling I need to read all of her books- the mystery she was trying to portray in each book was lacking. May case for The Girl Who Chased the Moon by the end of the second chapter you have figured out what the “lights” are the end is not very dramatic as it is played up to be. The same goes for  The Peach Keeper. I got the feeling of “ok so… that’s it”. While my comments may be harsh by no means let me discourage you from reading the books. If I think a book is not worth your time – I will tell you. But please let me know how you feel about the two books by Allen.

So that’s it for now. I’m reading The Red Tent by Anita Damante now… so far so good!