Time's Convert

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 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.

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