Book Review: Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness
Time’s Convert
Series: All Souls #4
Author: Deborah Harkness
Published: June 25, 2019
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: February 20-March 1, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
On the battlefields of the American Revolution, Matthew de Clermont meets Marcus MacNeil, a young surgeon from Massachusetts, during a moment of political awakening when it seems that the world is on the brink of a brighter future. When Matthew offers him a chance at immortality and a new life free from the restraints of his puritanical upbringing, Marcus seizes the opportunity to become a vampire. But his transformation is not an easy one and the ancient traditions and responsibilities of the de Clermont family clash with Marcus’s deeply held beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood.
Fast-forward to contemporary Paris, where Phoebe Taylor–the young employee at Sotheby’s whom Marcus has fallen for–is about to embark on her own journey to immortality. Though the modernized version of the process at first seems uncomplicated, the couple discovers that the challenges facing a human who wishes to be a vampire are no less formidable than they were in the eighteenth century. The shadows that Marcus believed he’d escaped centuries ago may return to haunt them both–forever.
A passionate love story and a fascinating exploration of the power of tradition and the possibilities not just for change but for revolution, Time’s Convert channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the All Souls Trilogy instant bestsellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.
Jessica’s Review:
I have not read the previous novels in the series, but I just finished the show Discovery of Witches which I enjoyed. I’m not a huge fan of Matthew, but I was a big fan of Marcus and Phoebe in the show and I saw the fourth novel was Marcus’ backstory and Phoebe’s transition to vampirism… so I had to grab the audiobook! I know I missed some things by not reading the previous books, but I was ok with that since I knew the story through the show.
As I mentioned, we get Marcus’ backstory in Time’s Convert along with present day events. Diana is also our narrator and we are updated with her and Matthew’s story along with their twins. I really enjoyed hearing Marcus backstory, especially with what happened in New Orleans which was referenced on the show. Seeing Phoebe going through her transformation as a modern woman was intriguing as she went along with ancient customs. There are also some funny situations that occur.
We also have more of Miriam in this novel as she has a certain importance in this novel. I also liked Miriam in the show though she was just a minor character. We see more of who she is in Times Convert.
I still am not a fan of Matthew, who just comes off as an older version of Edward Cullen. I just don’t see what made Diana fall for Matthew. On the show she goes from not liking him at all to an intense ‘insta-love’. I guess some women just ‘smell’ irresistible…
I do hope that Harkness chooses to continue the story of the de Clermont family as there is still so much story to tell! I personally want to see more with Marcus and Phoebe actually together. And the continuing story doesn’t even begin to include the Congregation and all of those politics!
Times Convert is recommended.
Kim has read the entire series and her reviews are here.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness
Author: Deborah Harkness
Published: September 18, 2018
436 pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches, a novel about what it takes to become a vampire.
On the battlefields of the American Revolution, Matthew de Clermont meets Marcus MacNeil, a young surgeon from Massachusetts, during a moment of political awakening when it seems that the world is on the brink of a brighter future. When Matthew offers him a chance at immortality and a new life free from the restraints of his puritanical upbringing, Marcus seizes the opportunity to become a vampire. But his transformation is not an easy one and the ancient traditions and responsibilities of the de Clermont family clash with Marcus’s deeply held beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood.
Fast-forward to contemporary Paris, where Phoebe Taylor—the young employee at Sotheby’s whom Marcus has fallen for—is about to embark on her own journey to immortality. Though the modernized version of the process at first seems uncomplicated, the couple discovers that the challenges facing a human who wishes to be a vampire are no less formidable than they were in the eighteenth century. The shadows that Marcus believed he’d escaped centuries ago may return to haunt them both—forever.
A passionate love story and a fascinating exploration of the power of tradition and the possibilities not just for change but for revolution, Time’s Convert channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the All Souls Trilogy instant bestsellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.
Kim’s Review:
I love the All Souls Trilogy so much and when I found out that Harkness was writing another book, I geeked out in my brain. I fell in love with all these characters and to be able to spend more time with them was a dream come true. My only issue was the fact that half the book was written from Diana’s perspective, like the other books in the series. I guess it’s not really an issue, I was just surprised and I got over it very quickly. Harkness kept the tone and writing style consistent with the rest of the series and it really felt like I had just gone on a vacation and I came home and everything was exactly how I left it.
Everything great about the All Souls Trilogy can be found in Time’s Convert. Harkness has a grasp on history and combines it so well with storytelling that you actually believe all of this really happened. And getting a look into turning someone into a vampire and the culture within the vampire family was fascinating! It was so nice to learn Marcus’s story and I love him even more for it. And I’m not sure where to find Ysabeau . . . but I need her in my life cuz she’s classy and a badass! I think this is such a great addition to such an amazing saga and I absolutely recommend it to everyone!
Here is the link to my video review of the All Souls Trilogy:
Sunday Series VIDEO Review: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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Sunday Series VIDEO Review: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
We are back with our Sunday Series Review and this time it’s a video one!!! This time Kim reviews the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. She rated the series…. 4.8 stars!
Books in the Series:
A Discovery of Witches
Shadow of Night
The Book of Life
A Discovery of Witches
Published: February 2011
579 Pages
Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.
Shadow of Night
Published: July 10, 2012
584 Pages
J. K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice—only a few writers capture the imagination the way that Deborah Harkness has with her New York Times–bestselling All Souls trilogy. A Discovery of Witches introduces reluctant witch Diana Bishop, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and the battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes Diana and Matthew on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.
The Book of Life
Published: July 15, 2014
561 Pages
Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved 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.
Now that you know what the series is about, here is Kim’s video review:
Purchase Links for the Series:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Here is Kim meeting Deborah Harkness:
