The last several months have been filled with the project of weeding and shelf reading the juvenile non-fiction books. This is quite a daunting task since there are TONS of books! I was ready to take on the challenge though. As I have been working my way through the Dewey decimal system I have found some very interesting books. Even though they are titles geared towards children there is so much good information to be found here. And the fact that kids LOVE to check these out is wonderful! If you have not browsed our children’s non-fiction titles you definitely should.
I am someone who likes to learn a little bit while I read. Before I started working at the library I read mainly historical fiction. I love learning about the history of people and places. Deborah Harkness’s newest book, Time’s Convert, is my latest historical fiction but with a fantasy twist.
*May contain spoilers if you have not read the All Souls Trilogy!*
T
ime’s Convert by Deborah Harkness
First line: On her last night as a warmblood, Phoebe Taylor had been a good daughter.
Summary: In continuation of her best-selling series, Deborah Harkness takes us on an adventure spanning from the American Revolution to modern day as we follow the early days of vampires, Phoebe Taylor and Marcus MacNeil. Marcus grew up in time of great change. He saw the birth of a new country but when he meets Matthew de Claremont on the fields of battle his life was changed forever. Phoebe, an art dealer and Marcus’s fiancé, has made the decision to become a vampire. In the early days after her rebirth, she learns that her journey to immortality is not any easier than it was for Marcus.
Highlights: I love Harkness and her writing. It is immediately engaging. I read the All Souls Trilogy several years ago which made the details of the story a little fuzzy. However, as I started this newest installment she gave tidbits that helped me remember more of the previous novels storyline. I was worried that in this new book I would not get to revisit characters like Matthew and Diana because the story focused on Marcus and Phoebe but Harkness must have known I would always want more of them. She alternates her chapters between the characters and plot lines. We jump from eighteenth century to the twenty-first and back again.
I have been fascinated with the American Revolution since middle school. I was pleased that Marcus’s story took us back to the American colonies and the fight for liberty. I enjoyed reading as Marcus met famous people of the time including the Marquis de Lafayette. After seeing Harkness at a Watermark event a few years back, I learned that her focus of study is on the history of science. It really comes through during this time when Marcus, as well as the nation, is dealing with a small pox epidemic. The history of inoculations for the disease was fascinating and fit perfectly into the story. I am so glad that small pox is not something that we have to worry about now because it looks truly frightening!
Phoebe is a character that I vaguely remember from the trilogy but I cannot say that I felt too strongly about her. In this book, she has a fascinating story. I loved seeing her progress as she fought her urges and dealt with the new strengths. Her first night out in the world interesting. In addition, her preference for the blood of middle-aged white women definitely made me laugh aloud!
Matthew and Diana’s twins were probably my favorite part of the story. Each of them have their own traits from both their mother and father. Watching their parents try to figure out how to deal with a daughter who drinks blood and son who can weave spells was entertaining. I do not want to give too much away but I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Lowlights: I wish I could get more Gallowglass! He makes a few appearances but not enough for me. Maybe the next book?! Please Deborah!!
FYI: Lots of blood, violence, magic and some sexual situations.
*I do not think it is a must but I would recommend reading her All Souls Trilogy, starting with A Discovery of Witches before picking this one up.*