Title: The All Souls Trilogy
Author: Deborah Harkness
First published October 30, 2014
2358 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.56
Overview
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness has captured the hearts of readers with its enchanting story of witches, vampires, and daemons. A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night have already become instant bestsellers, and The Book of Life brings the series to a thrilling conclusion.
Now, all three books are available in an eBook bundle, complete with a beautifully designed box set. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, this bundle is a must-have for anyone who loves a good magical adventure.
About the Author
Meet Deborah Harkness, a renowned author who has captured the hearts and minds of readers worldwide. With her deep knowledge of science, medicine, and the history of books, she creates captivating stories that intertwine magical realism, historical curiosity, and profound human questions about identity.
The All Souls series, which began with A Discovery of Witches, quickly became a New York Times bestseller, and subsequent books in the series, including Shadow of Night, The Book of Life, and Time’s Convert, have also topped the charts. Her companion reader, The World of All Souls, has also been a hit with fans.
The series has been translated into 38 languages, making it accessible to readers around the globe.
In 2019, the popular television adaptation of A Discovery of Witches was released, starring Theresa Palmer and Matthew Goode. The show was a hit with audiences and was broadcast on Sky/Sundance Now and AMC.
Harkness has spent over 25 years studying history, earning degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Northwestern University, and the University of California at Davis. She is currently a professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she teaches European history and the history of science.
Harkness has published scholarly articles on a range of topics, including the occult sciences, scientific households, female medical practice in early modern London, medical curiosity, and the influence of accounting practices on scientific record keeping. She has received Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships, and her latest scholarly work is The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution.
Editoral Review
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness is a captivating and intricate tale of love, magic, and mystery that is sure to satisfy fans of the supernatural genre. Harkness is a historian, and her attention to detail is evident throughout the series, as she weaves together elements of historical fiction, supernatural lore, and romance to create a truly unique and engaging story.
The trilogy consists of three books: A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life, all published between 2011 and 2014. The plot centers around a reluctant witch named Diana Bishop, who discovers an ancient book in Oxford’s Bodleian Library that attracts the attention of vampires, demons, and other magical creatures.
Diana must navigate a dangerous path as she delves deeper into the book’s secrets, falls in love with a vampire named Matthew Clairmont, and tries to uncover the truth about her own powers. Harkness sets the story primarily in Oxford, but the characters travel back in time to Elizabethan England and France during the Reign of Terror, providing ample opportunities for rich historical detail and cultural commentary.
The author interweaves themes of tolerance, identity, and family throughout the series, drawing parallels between the supernatural world and contemporary issues. Harkness’s writing is evocative and lush, with detailed descriptions of setting and character that transport the reader into her magical world.
While some readers may find the pacing slow at times, particularly in the second book, the depth of character development and intricate plot make up for any slow moments. The main characters, Matthew and Diana, are complex and multi-dimensional, and their relationship is believable and compelling.
The All Souls Trilogy is a must-read for fans of the supernatural genre, particularly those interested in historical fiction and romance. Harkness’s meticulous attention to detail and richly developed characters will appeal to readers who enjoy complex and immersive worlds.
While there are areas where the story could be tightened, particularly in terms of pacing, overall the trilogy is a masterful work of fiction that deserves a wide audience. If you’re looking for a well-written, engaging, and imaginative supernatural series, I highly recommend The All Souls Trilogy.
Whether you’re a fan of witches, vampires, or historical fiction, this series has something for everyone. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, based on the strength of its characters, world-building, and themes.
