A Discovery of Witches Books in Order
The All Souls Trilogy
Stepping into the enchanting world of Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy, it’s as if we’re whisked away into a seamless blend of fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. There’s something truly compelling about this trilogy, which proudly boasts its position on the New York Times bestseller list, marking its undeniable popularity and appeal.
- A Discovery of Witches: All Souls Series(2011)
- Shadow of Night: All Souls Series (2012)
- The Book of Life: All Souls Series (2014)
- Time’s Convert: A Novel (2018)
- The Black Bird Oracle: A Novel (All Souls Series) (2024)
This is an adventurous saga weaving together the lives of Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch, and Matthew Clairmont, a vampire scientist. Their journey kicks off with the discovery of Ashmole 782, a magical manuscript hidden within the depths of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, opening a Pandora’s box of mystery, romance, and a centuries-old conflict.
The trilogy tantalizes with its promise of time travel to Elizabethan London, exploring the shadowy realms of the School of Night, and the allure of forbidden love, all while delving deep into the heart of the history of science.
A Discovery of Witches
You’ve just stumbled upon a doorway to a universe where magic, mystery, and science intertwine in the most enchanting ways imaginable. It all begins with A Discovery of Witches, wherein we meet our reluctant witch, Diana Bishop. Diana’s life takes a thrilling turn when she discovers Ashmole 782, drenched in magic and hidden deep within the Bodleian Library.
The importance of her finding cannot be understated, as it sets the stage for a journey filled with spells, love, and ancient secrets. But the story takes an even more intriguing twist with the arrival of Matthew Clairmont, a vampire scientist with an equally keen interest in the manuscript.
Their encounter marks the first stirring of a romance that defies time itself, elegantly laying down the foundational themes and characters for the All Souls Trilogy. The blend of fantasy and reality, alongside the weaving of historical London fiction, ensures you’re in for an experience that’s as enlightening as it is thrilling.
Shadow of Night
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time, especially to the bustling streets of Elizabethan London? Well, in Shadow of Night, the second jewel of the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, you get to do just that alongside Diana Bishop, the reluctant witch, and Matthew Clairmont, the vampire scientist. It’s a magical, time-travel adventure that deepens the love and bond between our favorite witch and vampire.
This book brilliantly introduces us to a host of new characters, each adding layers to the rich tapestry of the story. But here’s what’s truly enchanting: the way Shadow of Night expands the magical universe we first encountered in A Discovery of Witches. You see, it’s not just about the romance or the mystery of Ashmole 782; it’s the growth, the historical adventure, the charm of Elizabethan London that makes you feel as though you’re walking those streets yourself. Trust me, this journey is where the magic of the All Souls Trilogy truly begins to unfold.
The Book of Life
Gathering around the final chapter, The Book of Life, feels like welcoming a long-expected sunrise. Here, the whirlwind journey of Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont finds its grand finale. They’ve been through realms of time, brushed elbows with history itself, and faced challenges that tested their resolve. But the heart of their quest, the elusive Ashmole 782, has always been at the core.
Their search intertwines the mystical with the scientific, offering a blend that’s as enchanting as it is enlightening. This book isn’t just a conclusion; it’s a culmination of magic, love, and science, delivering a finale that satisfies the thirst for closure. It’s the sort of ending that makes you lean back, sigh deeply, and muse, “What an incredible journey!”
Time’s Convert
A back story of the history between Matthew and Marcus:
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.
The Blackbird Oracle
Deborah Harkness first introduced the world to Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and witch, and vampire geneticist Matthew de Clairmont in A Discovery of Witches. Drawn to each other despite long-standing taboos, these two otherworldly beings found themselves at the center of a battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782. Since then, they have fallen in love, traveled to Elizabethan England, dissolved the Covenant between the three species, and awoken the dark powers within Diana’s family line.
Now, Diana and Matthew receive a formal demand from the Congregation: They must test the magic of their seven-year-old twins, Pip and Rebecca. Concerned with their safety and desperate to avoid the same fate that led her parents to spellbind her, Diana decides to forge a different path for her family’s future and answers a message from a great-aunt she never knew existed, Gwyneth Proctor, whose invitation simply reads: It’s time you came home, Diana.
On the hallowed ground of Ravenswood, the Proctor family home, and under the tutelage of Gwyneth, a talented witch grounded in higher magic, a new era begins for Diana: a confrontation with her family’s dark past, and a reckoning for her own desire for even greater power—if she can let go, finally, of her fear of wielding it.
Diving Deeper: Non-Series Works and Further Reads
So, you’ve devoured the All Souls Trilogy, getting swept up in the magical manuscript, time travel, and the enthralling romance between Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont. But what if I told you there’s more to explore in Deborah Harkness’s universe? Diving deeper, we stumble upon her non-series work focusing on the intriguing figure of John Dee, a real historical character from the Elizabethan era. This work is a treasure trove for those of us fascinated by the history of science and the occult practices of the time.
Deborah Harkness, with her rich academic background, masterfully bridges the captivating narratives of the All Souls Trilogy with the complex real history behind our favorite characters’ adventures. For fans intrigued by the blend of history and fantasy, exploring her work on John Dee is almost like uncovering another layer of Ashmole 782.
Where the Magic Doesn’t End
Wrapping up this enchanting expedition through Deborah Harkness’s captivating world might feel like a sorrowful farewell. Yet, believe me, the magic doesn’t truly end with the final page of The Book of Life. Imagine you’ve been on this remarkable journey, traversing time, solving mysteries, and befriending witches and vampires. Now, you find yourself yearning for just a bit more.
Fortunately, Harkness has crafted an array of treasures to satisfy our curiosity and deepen our connection to the All Souls universe. I highly recommend diving into the detailed maps, which allow you to trace Diana and Matthew’s steps across continents and eras.
Then, there are the recipes that bring a taste of Elizabethan London right into your kitchen, making the magical world tangible and deliciously real. And let’s not forget the character bios, offering insights that make our favorite witch, vampire, and an array of historical figures feel like old friends.
A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and the entire journey through the All Souls Trilogy isn’t just about the books; it’s about immersing yourself in the rich, evolving narrative that Harkness masterfully extends beyond the written word.
