Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

 "Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown"—the thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.
 
I have to say that I enjoyed A Discovery of Witches a little more.  I found this book a little confusing at times with all the different names.  I am sitting here with questions that weren't answered, but that is what book three will hopefully answer.

But that being said I have really enjoyed this series.  The author has a smooth way of writing, with many layers, but you really do need to pay attention, if you miss something it could really mess up the story.  The trip to the past is not just a search for Ashmole 782 but also a love story and struggles with Matthew and Diana's early relationship.

Can't wait for the next book.