The Book of Life

Diana Bishop takes center stage in The Book of Life as the protagonist and the primary narrator. She possesses unique magical abilities as a weaver witch and a timewalker. Tragically, Diana’s early life was marked by the murder of her parents, leaving her in the care of her aunts, the witches Sarah Bishop and Emily Mather. Diana’s exceptional magical powers occasionally overwhelm her, making it difficult for her to trust her abilities.

Diana is fiercely independent, which often leads to conflicts with her husband, the vampire Matthew Clairmont. As she navigates her relationship with Matthew, Diana grapples with maintaining her autonomy while being pursued by the Congregation, a governing body for supernatural creatures. This challenge intensifies with the addition of pregnancy and motherhood as Diana strives to strike a balance between her needs and those of her family.

Diana’s unwavering desire for independence prompts her to resist fate throughout the narrative. She bristles against the weight of Mother Ursula’s prophecy despite its apparent connection to her. Diana even attempts to reject the goddess’s arrow, symbolizing her self-determination. Ultimately, by the story’s conclusion, Diana accepts her role as a justice seeker and embraces her destiny, but the journey there was hard won and filled with deep emotional conflict.

Diana’s journey in the story is transformative and characterized by self-acceptance. Through numerous trials and challenges, she learns to place trust in herself and her inherent power. As she conquers her fears and learns to rely on those around her, Diana discovers a newfound sense of balance, allowing her to maintain her cherished independence and find strength in her relationships.

Sarah Bishop, a powerful witch and Diana’s aunt, undergoes significant character development in The Book of Life. Her predominant characterization throughout the book is marked by grief over the loss of her wife and best friend, Emily Mather. Once balanced by Emily’s gentleness, Sarah’s fiery and stubborn nature becomes nearly engulfed by despair in Emily’s absence.

During her healing journey, Sarah finds solace and support from two key figures. Fernando Gonçalves is instrumental in helping her cope with her grief. He provides comfort and motivation, pushing Sarah to act in her own best interest. Diana also becomes a pillar of support for Sarah during this challenging time. Their bond strengthens as they exchange insights into their respective magical strengths and weaknesses while coming to terms with Emily’s death. Sarah’s strengths lie in spell architecture and witch lore. These skills are instrumental to Diana’s growth and comfort with her weaver talents.

As the story unfolds, Sarah’s journey exemplifies the process of healing. Her growing relationship with Agatha Wilson, a daemon she had initially avoided, signifies newfound emotional openness. Ultimately, Sarah’s ability to embark on a holiday with Agatha showcases her comfort and healing. Like many characters in the story, Sarah illustrates the healing power of familial bonds and the importance of trusting others to manage their challenges.

Rebecca and Philip Bishop-Clairmont primarily serve as plot devices rather than fully developed characters in this story. Their presence drives much of the plot in The Book of Life. Rebecca, named after Diana’s late mother, predominantly exhibits her vampire heritage with black hair, requiring blood and milk for sustenance, significantly concerning Matthew. In contrast, Philip, named after Matthew’s deceased vampire father, displays signs of being a witch with red hair and hints of magical potential.

Significantly, the presence of these children prompts character growth among the ensemble cast. Jack learns to control his blood rage in their defense. Diana and Matthew work tirelessly to dismantle the covenant, safeguarding themselves and the twins. Even Baldwin transitions from an adversary to an ally, driven by his commitment to protecting Rebecca and Philip. Although the twins remain in utero for most of the book and never speak a word, they play an indispensable role in motivating and uniting the other characters.

Matthew Clairmont, the male lead in The Book of Life, undergoes significant character development throughout the story. While he initially appears to have control over his life, this façade is far from the truth. Following Philippe’s death, Matthew finds himself oppressed under the autocratic rule of his brother, Baldwin. At first, Matthew complies with Baldwin’s unreasonable demands to protect his vampire sire, Ysabeau. Later, he claims that Diana and the twins need the protection of the de Clermont name. However, family conversations reveal that neither Baldwin nor Verin considers Matthew family, and he is only allowed to remain due to his effectiveness as the de Clermont assassin.

In response to his lack of control within his family dynamics, Matthew attempts to exert excessive control over other aspects of his life. For instance, although he excels as a classroom teacher, he prefers working in a controlled lab environment. Teaching involves too many variables, making Matthew uncomfortable. Moreover, he struggles to control Diana, ostensibly to keep her safe, but this often results in complications within their relationship. The story implies that Matthew’s need for control in all aspects of life is an attempt to manage his blood rage.

Although Matthew’s coping mechanisms prevent frequent outbursts of blood rage, the constant threat of losing his rationality to the disease keeps him on edge. Matthew harbors a deep fear of blood rage, keeping it a closely guarded secret for most of the trilogy. He destroyed most of Marcus’s vampire family because they displayed symptoms of blood rage but never revealed the true reason. Instead, he blamed Marcus’s irresponsible management of the family. Nevertheless, Matthew bears profound guilt over each death.

The Congregation, consisting of nine members, plays an antagonistic role in the story. It comprises three daemons (Osamu Watanabe, Agatha Wilson, and Tatiana Alkaev), three vampires (Gerbert of Aurillac, Domenico Michele, and Baldwin Montclair), and three witches (Satu Järvinen, Peter Knox, and Sidonie von Borcke). Following Peter Knox’s involvement in Emily Mather’s death, he is removed from the Congregation and replaced by Janet Gowdie.

Philippe de Clermont initially established the Congregation. It aimed to regulate creatures’ interactions with humans. The covenant, an essential legal agreement created by the Congregation, prohibited creatures from involvement in human politics or religion and restricted inter-creature relationships, be they business, friendship, or romantic, to avoid attracting human attention.

As a collective, the Congregation is an antagonist due to their pursuit of Diana and Matthew’s demise. Additionally, the Congregation seeks the destruction of any vampire afflicted by the blood-rage disease. However, it is essential to note that not all individual members aligned against Diana and Matthew.

The covenant is ultimately dissolved with the assistance of Chris Roberts’s genetic data and the Book of Life. By the conclusion of The Book of Life, the Congregation’s role remains uncertain but appears controlled.

Gallowglass, Matthew’s vampire nephew, is a complex character. Although sired by the deceased Hugh de Clermont, he considers Hugh and Fernando Gonçalves his fathers. Gallowglass is a massive, blond warrior known for his ever-changing tattoos, which, on vampires, only last a few months.

Regarding the romantic dynamics, Gallowglass serves as a foil to Matthew. Tasked by Philippe de Clermont with guarding Diana, Gallowglass takes this responsibility seriously. While watching over Diana, he falls deeply in love with her. Unlike Matthew, who sometimes wields his love as a coercive tool, Gallowglass respects Diana’s freedom and silently protects her from the shadows. When Diana neglects self-care, Gallowglass persuades and encourages her, unlike Matthew’s commanding approach. Despite his imposing appearance, Gallowglass emerges as a gentler romantic interest than Matthew. While Gallowglass objects when Diana puts herself in danger, they engage in open communication and risk mitigation. By contrast, Matthew often tries to dissuade Diana or even forbids her actions.

Gallowglass exhibits unwavering loyalty to both Diana and Matthew. Despite his love for Diana, he prioritizes Matthew’s well-being throughout the story. He takes in Miriam, cares for Jack when Matthew worries about Diana’s influence on his blood rage, and attempts to manage Corra. Gallowglass readily provides whatever support the family needs, often without being asked. Gallowglass emerges as a steadfast pillar for everyone in a narrative filled with conflict and turmoil.

Benjamin Fuchs is Matthew’s vampire son. As a human, the de Clermont family saw him as an ally until he started selling de Clermont family secrets and threatened to expose the creatures’ existence to humans. As punishment, Matthew turned Benjamin into a vampire. Benjamin was immediately expunged from the de Clermont family line and forced to survive as a vampire without protection or guidance. Benjamin swears vengeance against the de Clermont family and spends most of The Book of Life trying to attain it.

In his pursuit of revenge, Benjamin engages in various nefarious activities. He attempts to create vampire-witch hybrids and searches for the Book of Life. His actions involve torturing witches, with the Congregation disregarding his deeds due to Gerbert’s assistance. With the blood-rage disease, Benjamin seeks to create more vampires with this affliction to further his revenge. He turns Andrew Hubbard into a vampire but abandons him when the blood rage fails to manifest. Jack also falls victim to Benjamin’s manipulation, committing heinous acts when blood rage takes hold.

Benjamin forms alliances with several individuals, most notably Peter Knox. Their shared goal is to attain the Book of Life. Their ruthless pursuit of power and vengeance makes them irredeemable characters within the story. Both ultimately meet their demise at the hands of Diana, the very person they sought to subjugate.

The ghosts of Philippe de Clermont (Matthew’s vampire father and the influential former head of the de Clermont clan), Emily Mather (Diana’s witch aunt-in-law), and Rebecca Bishop (Diana’s witch mother) serve as spectral observers throughout the story.

Though struggling with his spectral existence, Philippe guides Emily and Rebecca as they navigate their new reality. Diana is the first to see him, and he remains a paternal figure to her. He passes on his role as a justice seeker to Diana and congratulates her on her achievements. Though his ability to interfere is limited, Philippe remains a supportive presence.

By contrast, the goddess claims Diana as her own and plays a more active role. She admonishes Diana for dishonesty, compels her to accept an arrow, and emphasizes the importance of decisive action. At the story’s conclusion, Diana retains the arrow and her role as the goddess’s justice seeker.

While the ghosts and the goddess appear infrequently, they continue influencing the characters’ thoughts and actions, guiding them during their trials.

Fernando Gonçalves assumes a distinctive role in The Book of Life. He is the vampire mate of the late Hugh de Clermont, Gallowglass’s father and Matthew’s uncle. However, due to his lack of blood ties, Fernando lacks an official place within the de Clermont family. Despite the bitterness this exclusion may bring, Fernando voluntarily takes on various supportive roles.

Fernando becomes a pillar of support for everyone around him. He aids Sarah Bishop in her journey through grief and encourages her to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Subtly, he nudges Matthew to establish his own scion and reprimands him for his possessive behavior toward Diana. When required, Fernando steps into the roles of housekeeper and cook. He offers advice, solace, and practical assistance.

Fernando embodies both compassionate support and strategic brilliance. These facets complement each other, making him a versatile figure. He adapts to the moment’s needs, serving as a guide for Diana and Matthew, demonstrating that effective leadership can encompass gentle and assertive qualities as dictated by the circumstances.

Andrew Hubbard, the vampire king of London, is Matthew’s vampire grandchild and the sire of Jack Blackfriars. Matthew remains unaware of this blood connection until Jack reveals it.

One of the critical distinctions between Andrew and Matthew lies in their attitudes toward authority, providing another contrast between them. Andrew has created his family in London, a diverse mix of daemons, vampires, and witches. While Diana and Matthew harbor reservations about Andrew and his intentions, Linda Crosby, one of the witches under his protection, offers a different perspective, describing Andrew as a beloved figure who safeguards the interests of all supernatural creatures, irrespective of their species. Consequently, Andrew holds little interest in the de Clermont family and actively avoids entangling with them.

Andrew collaborates with Diana to retrieve the Book of Life, setting aside his reservations. Similarly, he works alongside Diana and Matthew to dismantle the covenant, as its abolition aligns with his objectives. Andrew offers a model of how Matthew’s relationship with Baldwin might evolve, demonstrating that despite irreconcilable differences, they can cooperate toward shared objectives.

The London Coven is integral to Diana’s growth as a witch. Andrew Hubbard’s extended creature family includes this group of 12 witches, eliminating any prejudice against Diana and her relationship with a vampire.

Linda Crosby leads the coven and serves as Diana’s valuable source of support and education. With the coven, Diana works on honing her weaver talents and collaborates to locate the final Ashmole 782 page. Like Sarah’s influence, the London coven encourages Diana to embrace and utilize her witch powers fully.

Diana’s association with the London Coven reflects her significant growth as a witch. At the outset of the series, Diana actively avoided covens and any involvement with other witches. By the story’s conclusion, however, she actively seeks the company of witches and solicits their assistance. In tandem with Marthe, Linda assumes a role as one of the primary caregivers for the twins. This level of trust and reliance on others would have been inconceivable for Diana at the story’s beginning.

Diana’s ability to overcome her fears, both of her powers and of trusting others, represents a crucial turning point in her journey. It signifies that Diana has reached a point where she can truly trust others, a development vital for her success in retrieving Ashmole 782. Her relationship with the London Coven symbolizes this newfound trust.

Diana’s developing relationship with the Madison Coven illustrates her journey toward personal growth as a witch. The Madison Coven, composed of 12 witches, had always been intertwined with Sarah and Emily’s lives, although Diana initially avoided contact with them. When Diana returns to Madison with Sarah, the high priestess of the coven, Vivian Harrison, offers her assistance. For the first time since returning from the timewalk, Diana admits to other witches that she needs help, mainly dealing with Sarah’s grief.

In Madison, Vivian, alongside Abby and Caleb Pratt, provides invaluable support to Diana and Sarah. They assist Diana in refining her spellwork and encourage Sarah to take on a more active role within the coven. Abby, who has her hands full with her own set of twins, offers Diana parenting advice and supports Diana during her pregnancy. In a pivotal moment, Diana employs her powers without needing a spoken incantation to save Abby’s daughter, Grace. Diana finally trusts enough to share her powers as a weaver with the coven. This foreshadows future coven interactions, as the members offer Diana nothing but support in response to her admission.

Baldwin Montclair, the head of the de Clermont family, Matthew’s vampire brother, and a member of the Congregation, assumes an antagonistic role throughout much of the story. He questions Diana’s status as Philippe’s adopted daughter and frequently places Matthew in uncomfortable predicaments.

Baldwin exhibits autocratic leadership qualities, harboring bitterness over his control of the de Clermont family while not having authority over the Knights of Lazarus. Philippe granted leadership of the Knights to Matthew, a primary source of tension between the siblings. Early on, Baldwin attempts to assert his dominance by assigning meaningless tasks to Diana and Matthew purely to demonstrate his authority. When Baldwin demands that Matthew kill Jack, Matthew finally refuses to follow Baldwin’s demands.

Baldwin’s fundamental personality remains unchanged, but his perspective regarding Matthew transforms. Initially, Baldwin viewed Matthew as a threat to his control. By the story’s conclusion, he considers Diana, Matthew, and their children integral to his family. Consequently, he seeks to protect them, albeit often through exasperating means.

Chris Roberts is Diana’s close human friend, while Miriam Shephard is Matthew’s vampire confidante. These characters symbolize the scientific, logical, and rational aspects of Deborah Harkness’s fantasy world. Chris, a molecular biologist and professor at Yale, contrasts Miriam, a research scientist specializing in population genetics at Oxford.

Both characters play essential roles as plot devices. Chris presents Matthew with an opportunity to advance his research on creature DNA, even as Matthew must hide from the Congregation. Miriam becomes Benjamin’s point of contact when he cannot locate Matthew. Eventually, Chris and Miriam establish a romantic relationship and collaborate to gather DNA evidence demonstrating that creatures are various aspects of a single species.

Throughout the story, both Chris and Miriam embody the voice of reason. Chris, as an African-American originally from Alabama, is the first to speculate that the covenant enforcing segregation may be driven more by concerns of racial purity than solely avoiding human exposure. While Matthew tends to prioritize secrecy, Miriam proactively shares information with Chris, such as the existence of New Orleans vampires who could aid their DNA research. Despite Matthew’s reservations, she encourages Chris to collect blood samples from Jack during his blood rage to further their research.