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#Giveaway Review THE BOOK OF LIFE by DEBORAH HARKNESS @DebHarkness @PenguinPbks

May 17, 2015 By Mary 34 Comments

About the Author

Deborah Harkness is a professor of history at the University of Southern California. She has received Fullbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships, and her most recent scholarly work is The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution. She also writes an award-winning wine blog.

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My thoughts: Abosolutely Loved It.

This is not one of my normal reviews since it is the conclusion to a series, I am leaving out most of the recap I normally provide. There would be too many spoilers to those who would like to read the series.

Diana starts out in the first book of this series by having a “cute meet” with a vampire named Matthew. Now before you think this is a replay of paranormal romance vampires, you better take another look at this series. It has all of the elements of a Philippa Gregory historical with the research done by Alison Weir plus some magical elements that took me by surprise. This is no normal novel of witches and vampires falling in love. It has such deep roots in historical research that I had to spend some time googling a lot of things like the Ashmole 782 manuscript and checking back on my court life

The characters are also so intriguing that you fall instantly into thinking you have known Diana and Matthew forever and once you get pulled into the story (by page 28 of A Discovery of Witches for me), you will want to read this series straight through. Just to warn you: There are a lot of characters in this series, much like Harry Potter. When I was first handed the initial book, I tossed it aside, even though everyone in my book group, insisted it was my sort of book. I wonder why I didn’t listen to them. I plowed through all three books in the last three weeks. They kept my attention during a time in my life I couldn’t concentrate on much of anything.

For those of you who have the first two books, let me say, you will not be disappointed in the conclusion. I know after I finished the second book, I was thinking, “how could that have possibly happened? and everything comes together in a magical way. One of my favorite things in this installment was the intrigue of court life in London during the late 1600’s. I have obsessively read about this time period and adore how Harkness addresses it. Elements of intrigue, some action and of course, romance balance out this wonderful story. Now when will this be made into a film? SWOON!

WANT TO WIN A COPY?

Giveaway Ends 5.30.15 and open to all who can legally enter.
US only – must be over 18 or have your parents permission to enter.
An email will be sent and you have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.
Winner will be announced within 48 hours at the end of the giveaway. Giveaway is organized by Bookhounds and sponsored by publisher
It has no affiliation with Facebook, Twitter or any other entitiy.
Void where prohibited.
Courtesy of Penguin Books
Not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prize.

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Comments

  1. SHELLEY S says

    May 17, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! NO I HAVE NOT READ THIS SERIES YET.

    Reply
  2. queerbec
    queerbec says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:00 am

    Can’t wait for the final chapter

    Reply
  3. Ang says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:01 am

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway! I’ve read the All Souls Trilogy. It’s one of the few series that I’ll read again and again!

    Reply
  4. L says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:03 am

    I’ve read the series. It’s fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  5. DOLLY says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Love the All Souls Trilogy!

    Reply
  6. dolly says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:27 am

    Great giveaway! Love the AST!

    Reply
  7. lasvegasnan
    Nancy Jones says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:33 am

    I have read the first two and looking forward to reading this one.

    Reply
  8. debbie johnson says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Hi, I love this series and have read the first 2 books. Can’t wait to read this one.

    Reply
  9. Rhianona – Reader and reviewer of all sorts of books.
    Rachel B says

    May 18, 2015 at 5:47 am

    not yet… it’s in my tbr pile but i haven’t gotten to it yet.

    Reply
  10. clickclickmycat
    Faye Gates says

    May 18, 2015 at 7:13 am

    I just love book giveaways, and to have them signed, is so great!

    Reply
  11. anne says

    May 18, 2015 at 9:17 am

    What a great giveaway. Thanks for this fascinating feature.

    Reply
  12. laura rubenstein
    laura says

    May 18, 2015 at 9:20 am

    I have not

    Reply
  13. tweetybugshouse – grandview wa – I am stamper who incorporates this love into card making, scrapbooking and various paper craft projects.
    jan farnworth says

    May 18, 2015 at 10:50 am

    i read this whole series it fanastic thanks for chance to win.

    Reply
  14. Vivian says

    May 18, 2015 at 11:02 am

    I haven’t read any of this series yet. If I win, I think I’m going to have to go get the rest of the series as well!

    Reply
  15. Anita Yancey says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    I have not read any of this series, but I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    Reply
  16. catslady
    catslady says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    I’ve been hearing good things about this book!

    Reply
  17. Bea says

    May 18, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I’ve read a couple…been holding off on the third. Waiting on the Paperback!

    Reply
    • Victoria Sanders – I earned a Bachelors Degree in Literary Science at University of Dallas in 1988. I worked as an Editor for Lullaby Times, a children's picture book company for 9 years before opening Victoria Sanders Literary Agency in Plano, TX. I represent work in the genre of fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and detective crime.
      JoAnne Myers says

      May 18, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      All the best with the book. Its great to be a best seller.

      Reply
  18. Cheryl Johnosn says

    May 18, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    I haven’t read the series but it looks good haven’t had the chance yet. This is a great giveaway.

    Reply
  19. BookLady says

    May 18, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Loved the first two books in this series!

    Reply
  20. Diane Sallans says

    May 18, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    not yet, but it’s on my list

    Reply
  21. tracee says

    May 18, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    I have not read any of the series or had even heard of the series before this.

    Reply
  22. dianeo
    Diane Elizabeth says

    May 18, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    I’ve read the first two, great series!

    Reply
  23. davisbk121
    K Davis says

    May 19, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    I would love to own this book in paperback format. The entire series is wonderful, and I know that I will reread it again and again.

    Reply
  24. Hayley Cosgrove says

    May 19, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I have not yet read any of this series, but looks fantastic and pretty cool. I love life

    Reply
  25. @saleago – United States
    Sandra Watts says

    May 19, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I have not read any of the series but they sound really interesting.

    Reply
  26. Teresa Morrow says

    May 20, 2015 at 10:32 am

    Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway for an Amazing Trilogy and Author.

    Reply
  27. Dawn Zillich says

    May 21, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Yes and I loved them all! Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  28. holdenj says

    May 21, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    I own the first one, but lent it to a friend! Thanks!

    Reply
  29. Linda Trinklein
    Linda Trinklein says

    May 24, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    I have not read any but would love to!

    Reply
  30. Kayla says

    May 24, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    I have not read any of this series yet, but I’ve wanted to for ages. Hopefully soon!

    Reply
  31. thereadingrebel – Hello my name is Nicole D.I am a hopeless romantic,book addict,crazy cat lady,lover of all things Jane Austen,rebel,and disciple of Jesus Christ.I run a book blog called The Reading Rebel where I review books,talk about books,and sometimes ramble on about random things. I also have a bookstagram under the username thereadingrebel.
    Nicole The Reading Rebel says

    May 29, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    No yet but I plan too. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  32. lori faires – I'm a street wise Witch Kitty who loves to read. I went to the School of Hard Knocks. I work at treating others as I wish to be treated. An' ye harm none, do what ye.will. To follow the rule of three, As what ye do comes back to thee times three. Blessed be. )O(
    lori faires says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Yes, I’ve read A Discovery of Witches and if was fabulous. I can’t wait to read book 2 and 3 They are both on my TBR list. Blessings and Thanks to All.

    Reply
  33. mmalavec
    Maria Malaveci says

    May 30, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    No, not yet!

    Reply

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