2024 the best series of all time review

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(as of Dec 12, 2024 04:00:07 UTC - Details)

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of A Discovery of Witches - now a hit TV series on AMC and BBC America and streaming on Sundance Now and Shudder - the fourth novel in the All Souls series. 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 18th 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 book in the All Souls series, channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the previous books instant best sellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.

Reviewer: Annabelle Lewis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good Read
Review: 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.

Reviewer: L. Graham
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: a nice return to good characters.
Review: While not as gripping as the first three books, it was enjoyable. Fun to imagine Matthew and Diana with little kids.

Reviewer: Andrea M.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great continuation of an excellent series.
Review: I love getting to see the character development of the diverse players in this story. I like the side trips into history around the world. I’d really like to see Philippe and Ysabeau’s story!

Reviewer: RamblinRose410
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Evermore
Review: Brilliant book filling in the gaps of beloved characters. Origin stories keep the present and past, weaved together by an outstanding author.Thank You!!

Reviewer: Shannon Fleischman
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Adequately enjoyable side story
Review: Admittedly, this installment had a lot to live up to, as the All Souls Trilogy are my favorite books in the world. I was skeptical that this one would stack up… and unfortunately I was right.The best parts included learning Marcus’ back story and watching Phoebe’s transformation. I love them as a couple, and as supporting characters, we don’t get to see them fleshed out completely in the first three novels. So if you’re a true fan of the series, you’ll enjoy that glimpse into their lives, as well as learning additional vampire customs and traditions.I didn’t need the chapters flipping back and forth checking in on Matthew and Diana and the twins, because the time wasn’t taken to really dive into any of that. The concept of “Bright Born” children was brought up a few times but not really explained in any depth. Diana and Matthew felt flat, uninspired, and a shadow of those incredible characters we met and came to love in the initial trilogy.Still worth a read, but not in the same league as the first three books. I’m hoping Black Bird Oracle can redeem it, but I’ll steel myself just in case.

Reviewer: Kelsey Fletcher
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: nice follow up
Review: This was such a great continuation of the story. It was a little disjointed at first because of the time switches but eventually I got used to it. I loved learning about Marcus and his whole backstory and the parts about the twins were so fun and funny. Definitely recommend this one!

Reviewer: Laurie Allen
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A comforting hang w/ the de Clermonts
Review: Tbh, this was about 3.75 stars for me. 5 star writing, world building, etc, but 3 stars for lack of plot and one main character who failed to make me care about her.Overall, I came away feeling that this was a nice time, just hanging out with the Bishop-Clairmont crew and learning Marcus's history (and pushing myself through the chapters on Phoebe's rebirth).There wasn't much of a plot, and it was a slightly boring slog at times. My favorite parts were the journeys into Marcus's past. I never cared for or about Phoebe in the previous trilogy; their relationship always felt very rushed and contrived to me, and there wasn't much relationship-building in this book either, so I'm just kinda meh about the whole thing.My biggest complaint about the author in her first four books is that she has many major events taking place off-stage--we don't get to see these things happening, yet this is where the natural conflict arises, and when we would learn to give a damn (about Phoebe, for instance).Diana (plus Matthew and their kids) is still a main feature in this book, and her chapters are weirdly written in first person pov, while all the other chapters are written in third person limited perspective. Without doing any math, it felt like the book was roughly 1/3 about Marcus's history, 1/3 about the Bishop-Clairmont family, and 1/3 about Phoebe's transition and aftermath. I still don't particularly care about Phoebe, but oh well. LolBut, even with all this criticism, it was a comforting read. Utterly devoid of the magic, originality, and narrative tension of the All Souls trilogy, but still nice to hang out with "old friends" again. The author's web site says there will be more books forthcoming. I do hope they have more substance. =/

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: awesome
Review: Loved revisiting all my favorite characters and getting to know the kids. Can’t wait for the next book Ms Harkness

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It’s an easy read and original. Very entertaining and holds your attention. The story line at times can be a bit predictable and adolescent but overall I am intrigued by the whole series!The books physical quality of good!

Reviewer: D Farias
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great ending for the series. Lots of closure for us readers. Keep wishing for one more ha ha ha ha

Reviewer: Ami
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Is a must reading after the all souls trilogy!

Reviewer: Kathryn Davies
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Bought it as a gift, my father in law has read all the all souls books. Brilliant read

Reviewer: Caterina Pellegrino
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: 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