Book Review: The Book of Life (2014)

The Book of Life concludes Deborah Harkness' trilogy about witches and vampires, and it's been a sedate ride, honestly. The author introduces fascinating concepts and explores familiar yet powerful themes, but the world she builds is, like Diana's true shininess, hidden so that only the barest shimmer peeks through. While the disappointing villain, lack of tension, and meh reveal of the titular book's secrets make The Book of Life the weakest novel in the trilogy, at least I am one step closer to an enhanced appreciation of Matthew Goode's performance in the TV version!

In this final book, wicked awesome witch Diana Bishop and her vampire husband Matthew de Clairmont return to the present and must confront another threat: the sinister vampire Benjamin, Matthew's disowned son. Benjamin wants to create the ultimate vampire-witch hybrid, and wouldn't you know it, Diana's carrying two buns in the oven, making her a target (again). To defeat Benjamin, Matthew and Diana must separate to fulfill their own missions--she to complete the sundered Ashmole 782 and he to form alliances strong enough to protect his young family. WILL THEY BE OKAY???

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Yes, they will. I mentioned before that the tension is nonexistent--I never believed that Diana or her babies were in any real danger. I mean, she has a home birth and time to have two christening ceremonies. Meanwhile, Matthew is off gallivanting in New Orleans to create his very own scion, which he calls the Bishop-Clairmonts, which is actually very sweet! Anyway, Matthew was also clearly going to be just fine, at least until Benjamin inevitably snags him.

Speaking of Benjamin, he's not a compelling villain because he has no backstory-- he's just crazy and evil, period! He's a literal Nazi, or was working with them! But also, he apparently got along very well with a Congregation member's grandmother, and not in his usual rapey way? So in fact, he did (unknowingly) produce a vampire-witch, but also, the big reveal contained in Ashmole 782--the purported book of origins for witches, vampires, and daemons--is that there are and have always been vampire-witches, witch-vampires, daemon-witches, etc! We're all just one big creature family after all!

So while Harkness' message of diversity and inclusion is appreciated, it comes as a bit of a disappointment after two books of hype about Ashmole 782, including the surprising reveal that it's made of creature remains. I guess it's nice that its creator/s thought to use materials that provide genetic proof of its key takeaway (reminder: Matthew is a geneticist). Maybe my expectations are skewed from Attack on Titan, because that series is just one genetic curveball after another.

In other news, Harkness does a great job with the theme of growth and family. Diana and Matthew develop from being aloof/scared of intimacy to super-parents by the end of the trilogy. The family they have is one they created for themselves: blood kin, best friends, a street urchin, a dog! Diana and Matthew are loving, protective, and present a united front (usually). They inspire devotion, and they incite a revolution against the old ways of creature segregation! Hurrah!

Overall, The Book of Life is terrific in its handling of thematic elements; interactions among supporting characters, new and old; and in its core message of knowledge, understanding, and acceptance, especially of yourself. It's the weakest novel in the trilogy only because it could have been so much more. More developed villains! More narrative tension! More honest descriptions of taking care of twins, one of whom demands blood instead of milk! More about the goddess! Just...

TL;DR: A mostly satisfying ending to an interesting trilogy. On to the screen adaptation!

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This post brought to you by leftovers!