Time's Convert' by Deborah Harkness is this gorgeous, sprawling tale that weaves together history, romance, and the supernatural in a way only she can pull off. It’s a spin-off from her 'All Souls' trilogy, focusing on Marcus Whitmore—a vampire who was once a Revolutionary War soldier—and his human lover, Phoebe Taylor, as she undergoes the grueling process of becoming a vampire herself. The story jumps between Marcus’s past in 18th-century France and America, where he’s entangled in war and vampire politics, and the present day, where Phoebe struggles with her transformation under the watchful eyes of Diana and Matthew. What I love is how Harkness blends real historical events with her vampiric lore, like the French Revolution’s chaos mirroring Marcus’s personal turmoil. The book also dives deep into the emotional weight of immortality, especially through Phoebe’s eyes as she grapples with losing her humanity. It’s not just about fangs and blood; it’s about identity, love, and the cost of eternal life. The way Harkness writes makes you feel the centuries weighing on these characters, and the chemistry between Marcus and Phoebe is just chef’s kiss. If you enjoyed the lush world-building in 'A Discovery of Witches,' this one’s a must-read.
One thing that stood out to me was how the book explores the idea of 'family' among vampires. The de Clermonts are this ancient, powerful clan, and Marcus’s integration into their world is both brutal and tender. There’s a scene where Phoebe, newly turned, has to learn vampire etiquette from a centuries-old child vampire—it’s eerie and oddly touching. The juxtaposition of timelines also keeps things fresh; one chapter you’re in a bloody battlefield, the next you’re in modern Paris with Phoebe trying to navigate her new instincts. Harkness doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of immortality, either. Marcus’s backstory is heartbreaking, full of betrayal and survival, and it makes his present-day relationships all the more poignant. Honestly, I finished the book and immediately wanted to re-read 'Shadow of Night' just to revisit Marcus’s earlier appearances. It’s that kind of story—it lingers.