Historical Elements
"Why do vampires have such a strange attitude toward time?" ~A Discovery of Witches, Chapter 22
Deborah Harkness is a historian and brings amazing detail to the All Souls Trilogy. The journey to 1590 BCE introduces us to daily life in London and Prague as well as featuring historical figures like Queen Elizabeth, Emperor Rudolph, Christopher Marlowe, Sir Walter Raleigh, and the alchemist John Dee. Diana Bishop's own academic career focuses on the history of science--alchemy and the scientific revolution. If you enjoyed learning about and living in history, here are some other titles of interest.
Arn: The Knight Templar (Movie) Original titles: "Arn, Tempelriddaren" and "Arn, Riket vid vägens slut" @VPL | WorldCat
After growing up in a monastery, events cause Arn to return to his family and become entangled in political strife. His role forces him to leave those he loves and join the Knights Templar as penance for his sins. This epic film is based on the Crusades trilogy by Jan Guillou and highlights the life of the fictional knight Arn Magnusson.
The Knights Templar are connected to the vampiric Knights of Lazarus and this epic film shows us the intrigue, betrayal and war most of Deborah Harkness' vampires remember all too well.
The School of Night by Louis Bayard @VPL | WorldCat
In the late 16th century, the infamous School of Night met in secret to discuss God, politics, astronomy, and dark magic. Today, a disgraced scholar, Henry Cavendish, is hired to find a missing letter from the 1600s. Not the only person hunting the letter, fact-paced, richly detailed story challenged Henry to face ancient perils and survive a deadly plot to uncover the remnant of an always secretive life.
If you enjoyed spending time with the School of Night in Shadow of Night, you'll recognize the same figures mentioned in this historically-driven mystery.
The Book of Splendor by Francis Sherwood @VPL | WorldCat
This epic, adventure-filled romance is set in Emperor Rudolph II's Prague. The detail and atmosphere bring the setting and religious tension to life as Rochel, a bastard seamstress, falls in love with Rabbi Loew's Golem, Yossel.
Religious and racial tension runs strong in Shadow of Night, which brings us to Prague where we meet Rabbi Loew and Yossel.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory @VPL | WorldCat
Wildly popular and now an American movie, this richly detailed historic fiction follows the two ambitious Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne, as they vie for the questionable honour of King Henry VIII's affection. The dramatic story is leisurely paced and descriptive yet suspenseful. Winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Historical.
Philippa Gregory moves us through time like the best timewalker and the court intrigue is similar to Diana's brief experience in Shadow of Night.
The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution by Deborah Harkness @VPL | WorldCat
That's right! This is one of Deborah Harkness' academic, nonfiction titles. This work explores daily life in Elizabethan London and focuses on six threads of scientific inquiry and dispute by bringing people of the late 16th century to life. These well-crafted stories take the reader to the streets of London during the Scientific Revolution.
If Diana wasn't also created by Deborah Harkness, I bet Dr. Bishop would read this well-researched title cover to cover.
The Magic Circle of Rudolf II: Alchemy and Astrology in Renaissance Prague by Peter H. Marshall @VPL | WorldCat
Using compelling detail, Marshall introduces the readers to the world of Rudolph II, the surprisingly little-known Holy Roman Emperor, king of Hungary, Germany, and the Romans. This text transports the reader to Prague through the descriptions of the beautiful city and and prestigious characters of Rudolph's court at a pivotal time of transition between mediaeval and modern.
The over-amorous and petulant Emperor Rudolph doesn't get much attention in Shadow of Night and this title offers more detail into his life and court.