2024 the best series all time review

Price: $14.99
(as of Nov 21, 2024 14:43:07 UTC - Details)

From the author of The Black Bird Oracle comes an eBook bundle of the first three novels in the #1 New York Times bestselling All Souls series—A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life

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

A world of witches, vampires, and daemons.
A manuscript that holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future.
Diana and Matthew—the forbidden love at the heart of the adventure.

With millions of copies sold, the novels of the #1 New York Times bestselling All Souls Series have landed on all the major bestseller lists, garnered rave reviews, and spellbound legions of loyal fans. Now, A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life are available in an eBook bundle that’s perfect for fans and newcomers alike, and the perfect introduction to the on-going series which continues with Time’s Convert and The Black Bird Oracle.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PGMRAC8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking (October 30, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5881 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 1649 pages
Reviewer: Cynnamon_Spice
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Spellbinding
Review: I loved the character development in the series, especially in Diana. The love between Diana and Matthew and the balance of light and dark is so intriguing. It left me wondering what was coming next throughout each book. I also enjoyed the weaving of modern, historical, and scientific throughout the series. Even though you can surmise early on how the story will play out (good overcoming evil), the details and the plot development are very well orchestrated. This is a new favorite series and one I will definitely recommend reading to anyone who is looking for an all encompassing read!

Reviewer: Knikki knickerbocker
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Deborah Harkness is a genius at writing books!!
Review: I haven’t ever been so obsessed with a trilogy ,ever! She definitely put in the work to make it seem real and keep you intrigued , especially with all the historical stuff she added and made into the story that really made it so special. I hope she keeps producing more books so I can enjoy !!! Best book ever!!

Reviewer: Frank
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent. Completely Enthralling
Review: I watched (nay binged on Netflix) the tv series "A Discovery of Witches" and several times, before buying the book from which it was based.The tv series has some significant differences no doubt necessitated due to dramatic effect and time limitations but both versions are thoroughly entertaining and engrossing. In some cases I preferred the book; others the television adaptation.A must read for fans of the fantasy genre.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I hope Harkness continues to write.
Review: Really the best set of books I have read in 20 years. I hope Harkness continues to write because she has a gripping way with words that engages the mind while pulling you into the story.

Reviewer: Patricija
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Very good read, though not for everyone
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading All Souls trilogy. It isn’t without flaws but the parts I love greatly outweigh the parts I’m not so keen on. With my pronounced affinity for both history and scholarly work, this story went right up my alley. It is not for everyone (no novel ever is), but where it strikes the chord with sympathetic readers, it will linger. Though some elements of plotlines are derivative to an extent, over the course of trilogy the author turned it into something genuinely her own and, within that scope, authentic. Holy grail of originality might be elusive when dealing with archetypes and I do not expect miracles in that arena.Parts I loved the best, I noticed, are some of the parts disgruntled readers hated the most. For me, historical references and quotes were mesmerizing and inspiring to the extent that I’d very much like to track down some the original work referenced throughout the trilogy and see whether there’s more I might like. I am well aware this is work of fiction and not documentary, so I don’t mind creative licenses the author took. Though her scientific concepts aren’t quite as sure-footed as historical ones, I found the ideas interesting and worth exploring.Overall, I loved the feel of it, the atmosphere, above anything else. I loved that distinctly European multilingual mess, loved that her worldbuilding is markedly synesthetic. Images the author projects are seldom purely visual and, almost as a rule, accompanied by smells and sounds. And she always describes food. For some readers, these details are trivial; for me details like that make the difference between ordinary and immersive novel. I found the All-Souls trilogy rather immersive. Witty, too. I laughed hard and loud throughout all three parts (at times even in the middle of the night). Furthermore, novels are populated by scores of memorable, vivid characters and I absolutely have my favorites (feeling compelled to declare my allegiances at this point, so here it goes: Phillipe first and foremost, closely followed by Gallowglass (I’d always go for scruffy Nordic biker over stuck-up scientist with serious mental health issues) and Miriam). I rather like how the author explored the concepts of family – core, chosen and extended family - along with its complicated, unpleasant realities. When it comes to romanticized ideas of everything working out and everyone eventually getting along, I remind myself it is a work of fiction and creative licenses are welcome. Another impressive point – writers often depict mythical creatures as essentially human with some extra abilities, bit like X-Men. Not here. There were moments either in Book 1 or 2 (possibly all three) where creatures seemed utterly alien and different, devoid of anything resembling humans and/or humanity. I simultaneously cringed in disgust and wanted to take a step further and have a closer look. That is rare writing skill and rare feat of imagination. Descriptions of magic are few and far in between but every single account left a lasting impression.Book 2 is my favorite by far. Ms. Harkness vividly depicted her vision of the 16th century Elizabethan London’s atmosphere almost solely through interactions between colorful cast of characters instead of tedious, pages long descriptions. Don’t think I’ve ever read more convincing and/or entertaining account of an era or felt more “there and then”. Then she replicated the experience when plot moved to France. Even if everything else sucked (it didn’t), she would have won me over as loyal reader of her future work. I noticed a number of reviewers arguing that Book 2 failed to move the plot forward in any significant manner. Thinking back, I honestly don’t know if it’s true, but I also honestly don’t care. It’s been such a joy to read and, to me, that is sufficient reward.Book 3 was, for most part, confusing struggle. For as long as 2/3 of the novel, I had no idea where she’s going with the plot. It certainly didn’t go where I expected it. Additionally, the author changed POV character rather often and not nearly as smooth as in previous installments. As a result, I had to backtrack either a few paragraphs or even all the way to the beginning of the chapter and re-read few times to figure out who is talking. That happened almost every time she changed POV character throughout the final installment and didn’t exactly make for satisfying reading experience. Two thirds of the final book feel kind of empty-ish, as if Ms. Harkness rushed the ending, lost focus, and/or forgot overall plot points. Also, Book 3’s main villain was introduced rather late in the story and failed to feel quite fleshed out and alive as it should have. With any other work of fiction I wouldn’t really bat an eye, but Ms. Harkness spoiled me rotten by demonstrating she can be held up to a higher standard. My feelings concerning the ending are somewhat mixed – ending is not bad – really - but not quite right either. And I do mind lose ends (even lose details) after what Kindle says are nearly 1700 pages combined.Now, let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Trilogy’s main love story ruffled lots of feathers – for good reason – and I think the problem comes down to mislabeling. Relationship between main protagonists is many things but, to me, true love it is not. Let me be clear: Ms. Harkness is perfectly free to construct her characters any way she likes and engage them in any sort of relationship she would like to explore. However, she should have been more careful with labels. I’m not buying disturbing, abusive relationship as template for true love, regardless of the amount of sleep deprived delirium clouding my judgement. Instead, I see it as blood-chilling study of submission and dominance, control and power, of losing one’s identity within the context of romantic relationships and attempting to construct another within new realities, and new families. It is a deep, dark rabbit hole and Ms. Harkness didn’t hold back any punches. That is how Diana-Matthew story failed to ruin the trilogy for me. I see it as complex, distressing account of two deeply flawed individuals trying to navigate fundamentally toxic relationship. There is no doubt these two share genuine affection for each other; however, its expression is anything but true love. Numerous examples of something resembling true love can be found scattered throughout the novels, mind you, just not between main protagonists.Funny thing: for about one thousand pages I’d get confused when reminded that Matthew was supposedly insanely attractive. I dislike like him as a person (he’s a dick) and could never force my mind’s eye to see him as even handsome, let alone exceptional. Even at his most endearing, the best I could do was label him as “passable” (with mandatory eye-roll). Matthew is quite simply not a person I would like to befriend in real life – unlike many other characters throughout the novels. I disliked him even as charming, well-mannered professor, let alone later on. Ironically, the only moments he felt authentic were when he’d gone completely bestial.Finally, I fail to understand narrative purpose for appalling treatment of women throughout the novels. As merely a form of obstacles to overcome, it sucks. If there’s more to it, I fail to see it. Anyway, I could go into excruciating details on more plot points, but this review is already rather long. I thank the brave souls still reading.To conclude, as far as I am concerned, despite its flaws, the trilogy as a whole was worth every sleepless night and every day spent reading savagely until my eyes no longer worked. I intend to read it again – perhaps at more sedate pace this time around.Summary: Book 1 – 4 stars; Book 2 – 5 stars; Book 3 – 3 stars.

Reviewer: Margaret Shepherd
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Satisfying mix of fantasy, love story and drama
Review: I read this series after I started watching the series on Netflix. The two complement each other. I enjoyed the series which was challenging at times. Highly recommend for those who enjoy a different view on witches, vampires and daemons

Reviewer: Al Prichard
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A New World
Review: Harkness has created a new world, a living, breathing one, fully developed, that is a pleasure to spend time in.

Reviewer: Cristophi Hogan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Cool read!
Review: I really enjoyed the world that was created with this series and the bonds that were formed through their challenges.

Reviewer: Diana Reyes Peimbert
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Llegaron en tiempo y muy bien embalado.

Reviewer: Adriana Lopes da Rosa
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Os livros são de boa qualidade.

Reviewer: Diane H
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Downloaded the e-book, All Souls Trilogy, written by Deborah Harkness, and it was 60 wonderful hours of reading. This is an incredibly well written and researched series of books, that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end. It is not only a fantasy, but is also historically accurate, taking the reader on a wonderful ride from 2021 back to the 16th Century and back again to 2021. The story is a tale of a Witch who falls in love with a vampire, when that type of love is forbidden, woven into a story of them in search of a valuable manuscript. There are also Daemons involved, in a world fraught with wonder, terror, fear and excitement. It is a great story, an incredible read, and well worth the time it takes to get through the 3 books. Once finished you’ll also want to read Deborah Harknesses next book Time’s Convert as it’s the next book after these first three, and also well worth the read. Enjoy, …. I certainly did.

Reviewer: Mrs. C. A. Condell
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: So thrilled to. finally receive this wonderful book series. Loved the Discovery of Witches TV series and have been wanting the books.

Reviewer: sven angenent
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: In these days, that everything get more digital books can be a life saver if you can't use any electronic devices... Like in a ICU.My wife was happy!The books are ectually quite hard to find. (Here in Sweden in English). So I was very happy to see that amazon still had them.