Time's Convert

I’ve read all of the books in the All Souls Trilogy. It’s a wonderful series, and before diving into this new book, I’m glad that I’d read them. In my opinion, Time’s Convert is not a standalone. It had been a while since I’d read the other enjoyable books in the series. During those journeys, I recall feeling almost overwhelmed with the details. . . sometimes in a good way, sometimes not. Entire paragraphs deserved their own place on the history shelves, the prose was wonderful, the characters well-drawn, the plots tight. Sometimes I felt the books extremely intellectual, but I had bravely plowed forward reading hoping that some of the knowledge might stick in my wee brain. My highly anticipated journey with Time’s Convert ended with mixed feelings. The good news first. This book earns five stars for its intense research. I’m positive Ms. Harkness did her homework and worked her ass off getting the details of the timing, settings, events, and real-life historical characters correct. I felt in safe hands and not misguided into a complete fantasy world. Vampire, witches, and daemons aside, of course. Characters like Thomas Paine, Ben Franklin, and Lafayette, for example, all have dialogue, but fictitious though that may be, I felt good that the author wasn’t leading me too far astray and plucking stuff out of the air solely for entertainment. (Unlike The Crown on Netflix which I really truly thought was not wholly fiction. Is it? Angry here and digressing). To the tougher part of my review, even though I’m American, the sections on the Revolutionary War did not interest me. During these scenes, primarily the middle section of the book, the plot felt tossed aside and the read lagged. There were so many characters, names, towns, homes, events dropped, I needed a chart. Some of those characters had their own arcs and I found I just did not care. It was during this middle section where I found myself wondering what the book was even about. Where was Ms. Harkness going? It felt like a bunch of separate stories that bumped into one another for no purpose. Eventually I realized that the book was about the tale of Phoebe and Marcus and their vampire becomings. Phoebe’s transition was in real time, and Marcus, because he is an old vampire, is told in flashback. Interspersed between Phoebe’s grand awakening and difficulties, and Marcus’s really long backstory (how many towns did we follow him through during this book? How many years? Too many to count), there were the De Clermonts – the main family of vampires as well as the main witch character – Diana. But those wonderful characters were way secondary. They had plots and problems too, but they were side stories and led nowhere. And the thing was, I love those characters. Every single time Ysabeau enters a room I get excited. Diana’s magic is beyond cool. Baldwin is way interesting. I want to sail with Gallowglass, or at least drink with him. Had I not read the other books, I would have been totally lost on who all these people were and their relevance. I imagine Ms. Harkness had to decide about whom to write for, and she chose. I have tremendous respect for this author and what she’s accomplished and will most likely read the next installment. Or anything else she writes, for that matter.

I really enjoyed this book - I was really looking forward to finding out more about Marcus and just having some fun de Clairmont hangs. I definitely feel like the book accomplished those things. There are a few things that I wish could have been better. This by no means is a stand alone novel. I had just finished the All Souls Trilogy (way late to the party here!) and immediately started on Time's Convert. If I hadn't done that, it would have been really hard to follow this book. The author drops you right into it and there are SO many characters that you are expected to remember without much description. For example if you didn't know anything about Ysabeau, you probably would not be so excited for any scenes she is featured in. Her stories at the end of the book would not have as much meaning if you don't remember everything that happened in the first 3 books. Same with Philippe - he would just seem like a total jerk if you didn't know how multifaceted he was. Another thing that was a little irritating was Diana's POV. While I LOVED the All Souls Trilogy, I was slightly peeved that we continue to really feature Matthew and Diana as main protagonists. This book is supposed to be about Marcus and Phoebe - I wanted more of their POVs. We don't even get to find out much about how their relationship started - I thought the author would go into more detail in this book and we could see Phoebe and Marcus' meet cute and how he told her he was a vampire, how she originally took it, etc...but nope. And finding about WTH happened in New Orleans...the author doesn't tell the story until almost 80% through the book. We focused SO MUCH on Marcus as a human during the Revolution that I feel like his vampire history got rushed. And even with a book heavily featuring her...I still feel like I don't know as much as I should about Phoebe. And what even happens with the Phoebe family drama at the end? The volatile relationship between her and the sister? Will her dad be okay? I'm complaining a lot but I still really enjoyed this book. The author obviously worked her butt off with her historical research and I truly love these characters. I just hope that in future books we can move away from Diana and Matthew, while still having them present, but focus on the tons of amazing other characters the author has created.

Loved it....it was part of a 5 book series.

My review is a personal and individual reaction to the novel. This extra story was read after reading Deborah's book of source material and references for the trilogy. I was impressed with the breadth and depth of her literature review and bibliography but it was like reading the work of one or more of my doctoral students of many years ago. Not that this was a bad thing; I appreciated it but it wasn't as enjoyable as reading her trilogy. Matthew and Diana's visit to Tudor England and Europe was interesting and it was familiar history to me, as a British person. As a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, I am very interested in how and why a person has developed into their present day personality. I was rewarded with insights into Marcus and delighted that Deborah really understood Marcus and her other characters. But, I wasn't very familiar with American history around the time of Independence and the formation of the early US. I gained insights into that period of time but I was more concerned with his personal life history than the dates and events that wove it into the fabric of authentic American history. My educational process detracted somewhat from my enjoyment. This is my stuff and doesn't necessarily have any meaning to other readers. Deborah has written a lovely love story around the process of Phoebe becoming a vampire. Her understanding of her characters is truly impressive and underpins a reader's greater appreciation of their differences and how they have conflicts and obligations. This appeals to me, professionally as well as personally. I am so grateful for my discovery of "A Discovery of Witches" and its skillful author.

I was so excited for this book to come out. I even read the first couple of chapters when it appeared on my Kindle after midnight. I loved the trilogy so much and re-read it recently so that everything was fresh in my mind. I loved Marcus. I couldn't wait to find out how his relationship with Phoebe developed from the meeting at Sotheby's when he bought Diana and Matthew's miniatures. I was beyond impatient to read how their epic love story unfolded. Finally, when my Kindle was at about 85%, I realized it wasn't happening. Honestly, 36+ hours later, I am still really deflated and upset about it. Actually, as I write this, I'm getting riled up again, and more depressed. I mean, when else will we find out all those details? Not in another book, right? We don't even see them as a couple until the end. None of the care taken building Matthew and Diana's relationship is there. Their connection is so deep and layered and romantic and intricate. Not so with Marcus and Phoebe. Why do Phoebe and Marcus love each other? What was so deep, everlasting and special about their relationship that convinced Phoebe to turn into a vampire? It's like a whole BIG section is missing from the book. And, outside of the missing relationship, there's also no real path or connection for Marcus to the present after New Orleans -- we're just left in the dark after his chastisement for the next 200+ years to modern day. And we really know nothing about Phoebe except for a few comments about painting and ballet and her upper-crust upbringing. Wouldn't it have been interesting to actually read about her telling her family Marcus is a vampire and oh, she's going to turn into one instead of meeting them when they already know and she's saying goodbye/goodnight before the process begins? I feel terrible complaining because the book is beautifully written and the attention to history and detail is phenomenal. I was counting the days and minutes until this released. And I loved, loved, loved the twins and glimpses into Matthew and Diana's continuing life. Maybe this book tried to satisfy too many themes? On another note, I love Gallowglass and want him to find his true love -- but now that I've been disappointed by Marcus and Phoebe, will he get a chance? He so deserves it. But will the same lack of attention happen?? That's what I'm afraid of! I'm going to give myself a little while to cool off and read it again. Maybe I missed something?

There are many novels in which humans and vampires interact, love, fight, live through century after century, even procreate. Various authors decide which of the myriad fables and bits of folklore they’ll espouse, what “rules” their vampires must follow. I’ve read a fair number of these novels. What sets Deborah Harkness’s Time novels apart is that they are NOT vampire novels. Instead, they are fascinating, engrossing, history-packed works of literary fiction. They happen, yes, to have a number of vampire characters. But the novels are not salacious or sexually graphic (not that there’s anything wrong with that: I’ve read Laurell K. Hamilton). They are not folksy or backwoods (again, not necessarily bad: I’ve read Charlaine Harris). They are more elevated and adult than the Stephanie Meyer’s teenage romance-driven Twilight, more subtle and intricate than all of Anne Rice’s canon. So what makes Harness’s novels so delightful? They are well-researched and written intelligently, with the narrative slipping seamlessly back and forth through linear time; they are a feast for the senses, as Harkness tells her stories with delicious, evocative prose; and they are wildly entertaining, with generations of the central family of vampires colliding spectacularly with American witches, who are embedded in their own history and culture. Harkness adeptly manages a growing number of characters, and smoothly intersperses first person narration (Diana’s first-hand account) with the third person perspectives of her other characters—not an easy thing to accomplish. This particular novel reads like a dream. The life history of Marcus, Matthew’s son alternates with both the “rebirth” of Marcus’s fiancée, Phoebe, and the amusing but potent chaos of two half-vampire, half-weaving witch toddlers, the twins who are giving parents Matthew and Diana simultaneous joy and deeply felt anxiety: their tiny son has conjured a griffin as a familiar, and their daughter exhibits possible signs of blood rage when she throws a tantrum (when she bites, she BITES). I recommend this novel without reservation. It’s a joy to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating story. The steady character development kept me engaged throughout. Although I was initially hesitant based on other reviews, after re-reading the first three books in the series, I decided to give this one a try. It was an excellent choice, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment. I reserve my highest ratings for only the most imaginative and thrilling novels that exceed my expectations.

As noted in the headline, this is a continuation of the De Clermont’s. We find out more about Marcus, all the while being woven into the underlying story of this family.

Good story but not like other DH books

Of course this book was going to be amazing. It was like visiting old friends. The All Souls Trilogy are my favourite books so this now sits alongside them. If you've read the trilogy this is an absolute must

Excellente cuarta entrega de la serie. El libro está en perfecto estado. Envío super rápido y embalaje protegido. Muy contenta!

After having read the all souls trilogy I need to have more stories about this wonderful family. The book give a glimpse on Marcus past life and the chance to watch at Matthew and Diana family

Great ending for the series. Lots of closure for us readers. Keep wishing for one more ha ha ha ha