The Book of Life

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sum it up in a sentence (or two): the final book in the All Souls Trilogy takes Matthew and Diana back to the present time to complete their search for a mysterious book that might hold the secrets to the history of vampires, witches, daemons, and humans.

First thoughts: This book crept up my to-read list - it was on the New Fiction shelf at the library and I couldn't help myself. I was curious as to how the trilogy ends, and I also wanted to read it before I forgot what happened in the second book. That being said, I wasn't disappointed. I'm pretty sure The Book of Life is my favorite installment in the series.

Favorite characters: I've discussed my hesitations with liking Matthew (as a character in general and as a love interest for Diana), but I think I mostly got past that in The Book of Life, especially after seeing his interactions with Jack and Marcus. Fernando (vampire), Phoebe (human), and Sarah (witch) were the characters I was most excited to see on the page.

Another character note: Who is Chris (Diana's "best friend")? Did we hear about him in earlier books? Why don't I remember him if he truly is Diana's best friend?

Book lover for life: my favorite chapters were set in the library or the lab and had to do with research or the titular Book itself. Figures.

Favorite quote: "If you truly love someone, you will cherish what they despise most about themselves." -Fernando, p 388 (I'm not sure if I agree, but it's a nice sentiment.)

Final thoughts: This book has a happy ending, but it doesn't arrive there without a few struggles and hardships along the way. I think The Book of Life is more enjoyable that the first two books in the series because it focuses more on a book and a whole family of characters rather than Matthew and Diana's relationship. I've come to love so many of the other characters that there were plenty of other stories for me to focus on.


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