The book of life by Deborah Harkness

Synopsis

The highly anticipated finale to the #1 New York Timesbestselling trilogy that began with A Discovery of Witches

After traveling through time in Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s enchanting series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home at Sept-Tours, they reunite with the cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. In the trilogy’s final volume, Harkness deepens her themes of power and passion, family and caring, past deeds and their present consequences. In ancestral homes and university laboratories, using ancient knowledge and modern science, from the hills of the Auvergne to the palaces of Venice and beyond, the couple at last learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

With more than one million copies sold in the United States and appearing in thirty-eight foreign editions, A Discovery of Witches andShadow of Night have landed on all of the major bestseller lists and garnered rave reviews from countless publications. Eagerly awaited by Harkness’s legion of fans, The Book of Life brings this superbly written series to a deeply satisfying close.

Review

"It begins with A Discovery of Witches..."

Between the covers lies the final chapter of the All Souls Trilogy, where we find Diana and Matthew still on their search for the elusive Book of Life.

This is the third and final installment of the 'All Souls Trilogy' by Deborah Harkness.  I love the Discovery of Witches' and 'Shadow of Night' and I could not wait to see were the series would go.

Diana and Matthew return to the present day after their sojourn to 15th century Europe in search of 'The Book of Life.' Their return , while desired, is bittersweet. The present day did not stop and they are greeted with news of death, and the challenges the 'Knights of Lazarus' faced from The Congregation in their absence. 

All The de Clermonts (and Bishops) are back in present time, together with their never-ending web of secrets and intrigues. Now mated and preparing for a family, Matthew is desperate to keep his beloved Diana safe and happy. But when all Matthew's past deeds and mistakes come to haunt him,

"But you have become as vital to me as breath and blood. My heart no longer knows where I end and you begin. I knew that you were a powerful witch from the moment I saw you, but how could I have imagined that you would have so much power over me?" - Matthew de Clermont

I absolutely love romantic aspect of this story. Matthew's and Diana's love for each other warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face through out the whole book. I'm definitely going to miss them.

The Book of Life is a story about finding peace and absolution, about accepting who you are and the things about yourself that you can not chang. The detail that Deborah used to describe characters and their thinking is mind-blowing and truly exceptional. It made all characters come alive and it is probably the main reason which make this trilogy so special in my eyes. 

If you enjoyed 'Discovery of Witches' and the 'Shadow of night' I do not hesitate to guarantee you that you will adore this book. To those on the fence or those that questioned 'A Discovery of Witches,' please take the time and give this series a chance  I think you will find was worth your time.