Deborah Harkness

Time's Convert

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.

Federica Pirollo

 One of the aides was staring at de Clermont with open admiration. 

Marcy Pursell 

** spoiler alert **
           A wonderful follow-on to the A Discovery of Witches trilogy, picking up where the Book of Life leaves off. Getting to learn more about Marcus's background and Phoebe's transition to becoming a vampire was lovely. I could picture it all, and loved getting to read more about all of the supporting characters I know and love. Towards the end, I felt like Harkness really picked up the pace unnecessarily. I wanted to know more about New Orleans, but with all the build up to get there, it was over in a few pages.

This was more like of Phoebe and Marcus journey becoming vampires. I enjoyed learning more about the vampires lore and how they transform in the story. I was so happy to have some more Diana and Matthew in my life. I wish I could read the first book again for the first time! And the twins! I really want a book following their story. 

Leah Diaz 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches—look for the hit TV series “A Discovery of Witches,” streaming on AMC Plus, Sundance Now and Shudder. Season 2 premieres January 9, 2021! What does it truly take 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, the fourth books in the All Souls Series channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the previous books instant bestsellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.

A Novel

Sally Salinas

Not much happens in this book. It’s mostly Marcus’s history, Phoebe’s transition from human to vampire & the TWINS! I really enjoyed, glad a lot of characters from previous series were in this book. I enjoyed!

Vilde

3.5

I adored the original trilogy  within the All Souls universe, so the news about Time's Convert was very exciting! As I have both read and listened to the trilogy, and gone for the audiobook format for Time's Convert, I was definitely disappointed that Jennifer Ikeda wouldn't narrate this. I did enjoy Saskia Maarleveld's narration, but I do favour Ikeda's narration(s) - as I feel a more emotional connection to the story. In addition, I have mixed feelings about the plot points in Time's Convert, some were more interesting and fascinating than others, others were dragging, and less grabbing. Some of these points are revealed in this spoiler section (you have been warned): (view spoiler)[

Point 1) I hated, hated, hated the shift from present to back to whatever time Marcus was a human. The one where there was just a word, and a new word, and a new word. I don't how that was formated in a book, but in an audiobook, it was incredible off-putting. In other words, that shift is definitely more suited for a book format. 

Point 2) I have incredible mixed feelings about Marcus's storyline. It was at times extremely interesting to hear about his childhood and the revolution, both the American and the French, but at other times, I just wanted to punch him. As a result I was definitely less interested in the main "point", Marcus and Phoebe's relationship and Phoebe's transformation to a vampire. 

Point 3) I'm a bit disappointed by the "New Orleans" section of Marcus' flashback/narration, as I was expecting a bit more of Marcus' children in New Orleans. 

Point 4) It seems like there is at least a memorable demon who is fucking insane in each "arc", we had Kit and now we have Marat (on a side note, I've read another historical fiction work, where Marat is a real piece of shit, which didn't help my stance on this character at all; for those curious, it is The Eight by Katherine Neville). Which also reminds me of the fact, that I found the French revolution a bit... I don't know, no. I just wasn't invested in that, as it has already been coloured by The Eight. 

Point 5) I hated Phoebe's sister, Stella was it? What a fucking brat. I get her reaction when the father was in the hospital, but that meeting outside that. Sisters heh? What a loving sister-sister relationship. 

Point 6) I loved the sections of the book where Baldwin was involved, like when (little baby) Rebecca bit him. Absolutely hilarious. 

Point 7) I also adored when the flashback to Marcus's "baby years" as a vampire, especially when Gallowglass was there.

Point 8 I loved that we were able to gleam more about Ysabeau and Philippe, and Freya was a surprise to me. I could only recall Verin, so Freyja was interesting, although, I'm now very interested in the last daughter of Phillipe, I can't remember if she was still alive or dead. 

Point 9) It is almost like I enjoyed the other characters more than Marcus and Phoebe, which again proves that I wasn't too invested in their story. I'm so sorry. 

Point 10) I have very mixed feelings about little Philippe getting himself a griffin, it ... so predictable. Not that he got a griffin, but that he also is a weaver. Harkness, you had to go there... Although I find the name, Apollo, interesting, due the connection with Diana, the goddess, and the huntress. That is an aspect I would love for Harkness to explore; in general the mythological aspect of the All Souls universe. Also, would Apollo meet Cora, as it was alluded to the fact that Cora would have company as the magic strengthen. 

Point 11) I'm still questioning the fact that Diana didn't contact Janet Gowdie, as she could have been a resource in figuring out the children. (hide spoiler)]. 

But in conclusion, I enjoyed this addition to the All Souls universe, and if Harkness would write another book within this universe, I would definitely pick it up!

Fraser Simons

For the first half of this I was really invested and interested. Harkness is great at showing the dynamics playing out in a particular scene with a lot of nuance, and she clearly has a lot of passion of historical narratives. 

This go around Phoebe is being turned into a vampire, and her narrative follows her transition and it’s trials and tribulations. It’s pretty interesting, when at its best!

We also gets the backstory of her partner, Marcus, and his own struggle when turned. 

Form time to time it pops into Matthew and Diana’s life, mostly focusing on the issues with their children, each of whom is displaying supernatural affinities already, at such an early age. 

I think this mostly worked for me. But as I said, around halfway in and change it started dragging quite a bit. It sometimes feels like a short story, or a couple short stories, that have been puffed up and put together. But I really enjoyed the early years of Marcus and the more granular worldbuilding of vampirism with Phoebe.

What never quite hit home for me was the kids’ storyline, which feels like a massive power fantasy, even more so than the third book, and that book did not land the earning of powers angle at all for me. The stakes didn’t feel real, there was magic Deus ex machina happening. And now their kids are also incredible and amazing and powerful and life is hard, apparently. There’s no real stakes at play here either, yet again. We know what becomes of Marcus. The kids don’t feel like they’re actually in danger. Phoebe changing and maybe not being into Marcus anymore, initially twinged an emotion, but it became clear very quickly that this issue wasn’t at stake either. 

It didn’t really feel like there was a plot happening, basically. And I usually don’t require one. I get buy plenty of books ascribed such a label. But this does feel like spinning wheels because, by contrast with the first two books especially, the components that made those so enticing, are the intrigue and mystery and danger. It feels strange. In the end, it delivers on its premise, Harkness, I’ve found, is a joy to read, and it does add world building though. So I think it’s a fair 3 stars, if barely. 

p.s, the whole small box sequence where it was banned and controversial to get it hits home so much with what’s happening now with COVID.

Magda Silva

This book is a bit boring for me. It was very good to know more about Marcus but we didn't to discover so much in just one book. Loved read more about Diana and Matthew and the twins. The only problem is that we got Marcus entire life if just one book way to much. Marcus and Phoebe are really good together

Sarah Ryan

Not enough Diana & Matthew in this for me so was a little disappointed by that. Interesting to get Marcus’s backstory & see Phoebe’s journey but it was not at the same level of the All Soul’s Trilogy at all.

**From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches, now a major Sky original TV series** Return to the enchanting world of the All Souls trilogy for a love story like no other... Marcus Whitmore was made a vampire in the eighteenth century. Over two hundred years later, he finds himself in love with Phoebe Taylor, a human who decides to become a vampire herself. And with tradition enforcing separation from Marcus, Phoebe's transformation will prove as challenging now as it was for Marcus when he first encountered Matthew de Clermont, his sire. Time's Convert moves with epic sweep from the battlefields of the American Revolutionary War, through the treachery of the French Revolution to a bloody finale in New Orleans. 'Gripping and impossible to put down, this is Twilight for grown-ups - a wonderful read!' Katie Fforde on A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES 'Thrilling . . . A captivating and romantic ripping yarn' E L James on SHADOW OF NIGHT 'Rich in arcane detail, fans will relish this exotic cauldron of romantic fantasy' Sunday Mirror on THE BOOK OF LIFE In Deborah Harkness's world of witches, daemons and vampires, watch as history comes to life.

return to the spellbinding world of A Discovery of Witches

a.girl.a.dog.and.books

It is not my favorite book from the Book of Life series, but it is nice to finally learn how the process of becoming a vampire is. There is less action than in the other ones and it is more history focus which is not what I prefer.

Marissa Scudlo

** spoiler alert **
           This is a great book and I love that this book was on Marcus and Phoebe love story and Phoebe being turned into a vampire and all that fun stuff. It’s also a great book about Marcus’s history and his life. I love it so much and think everyone would enjoy it but you need to read the others books first.

Time's Convert

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