Time's Convert: A Novel

Deborah Harkness

Sep 2018 · All Souls Trilogy Book 4 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches and The Black Bird Oracle comes a novel about what it takes to become a vampire—the fourth in the All Souls series.

Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder!

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.

Ratings and reviews

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness is the first book in her All Souls Universe series. This is a spin-off series to the much beloved All Souls Trilogy and focuses on Marcus and Phoebe whom we met in the All Souls Trilogy. I have read mixed reviews to this series stating that the flow of the story was off, that there wasn't enough drama, that it was more of a historical recounting than a story and to these I personally disagree. Marcus's story is a gem of information and insight. We get to see Diana and Matthew and the rest of the family at Sept Tours and Les Revenants. We are there to witness Phoebe's transition from human to vampire. We are also privy to Marcus's past thanks to Diana's passion for anything in history. The story ebbs and flows between these three places and times (Phoebe in Paris, everyone else at Sept Tours, and Marcus in the past from his time as a soldier in the revolutionary army through to his time in Louisiana). Well-written and the perfect balm to my soul that is desperate for more from this world. Having devoured Matthew and Diana's story and binge-watched (multiple times) the first season of the show on Sundance Channel, this was a great tide me over. Enjoy!

the book is so far an expansion on character development of Phoebe and Marcus. while you still catch glimpses of Dianna, Matthew, and the twins, it explores the process of becoming a vampire, family rules, and a little more into how the de Clermont family worked, as well as Phillipe. not the best book in this series, but still worth the read for the insight into Marcus and the late 1700s and how Marcus created a vampire family. Miriam even gets a little more attention and Freyja.

Not as good as the others. Bounced around a lot. I don't care for Phoebe, so that was rough. Too much time on her and she just comes across as spoiled and priveledged. Had character growth been included, I'd have rated this higher.

About the author

Deborah Harkness is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls series, which includes A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life, Time's Convert, and The Black Bird Oracle. A history professor at the University of Southern California, Harkness has received Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships. She lives in Los Angeles.