Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness Summary

Time's Convert is a supernatural historical novel that tells two parallel stories of vampire transformation. The book follows Marcus MacNeil, a Revolutionary War surgeon who becomes a vampire in 18th-century America, and his modern-day girlfriend Phoebe Taylor, who undergoes her own transformation to immortality in contemporary Paris. The narrative explores the challenges of becoming a vampire across different time periods while examining themes of identity, tradition, and revolutionary change.

Deborah Harkness is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and history professor at the University of Southern California. Born in 1965, she holds a Ph.D. from UC Davis and specializes in the history of science and medicine in early modern Europe. Harkness is best known for her All Souls series, which has sold in 37 countries and been adapted for television. She combines her expertise as a historian with supernatural fiction to create richly detailed historical fantasy novels.

Time's Convert appeals to fans of the All Souls trilogy seeking deeper backstory on beloved characters like Marcus and Matthew de Clermont. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly the American and French Revolutions, will appreciate the rich period details. The book is perfect for those interested in vampire lore, slow-burning romance, and character-driven narratives exploring identity and transformation. History enthusiasts and supernatural fiction lovers will find equal satisfaction in Harkness's scholarly approach to fantasy storytelling.

Time's Convert debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and offers substantial value for All Souls fans. The novel provides crucial backstory for Marcus MacNeil while expanding the vampire mythology with intricate details about de Clermont family traditions and blood rage. Readers praise its profound character development, historical immersion, and dual-timeline structure. However, the book works best as a companion to the trilogy rather than a standalone, as it enriches rather than replaces the original series' narrative arc.

Time's Convert alternates between two transformative journeys separated by centuries. In 1775, Matthew de Clermont offers Marcus MacNeil, a Massachusetts surgeon, immortality during the American Revolution, leading to a difficult transformation that conflicts with Marcus's beliefs in liberty and equality. In contemporary Paris, Marcus's girlfriend Phoebe undergoes her own vampire conversion under Miriam's guidance while separated from Marcus for ninety days. The parallel narratives explore how the challenges of becoming a vampire remain formidable across time periods.

Time's Convert serves as a "prequelly sequel" to the original All Souls trilogy, taking place after the events of The Book of Life. The novel features Diana, Matthew, and their twins Philip and Becca, now two years old. It provides essential backstory for Marcus MacNeil, Matthew's vampire son, explaining his origins during the American Revolution. The book deepens readers' understanding of vampire society, the de Clermont family dynamics, and the blood rage condition that affects their lineage, enriching the broader All Souls universe mythology.

Time's Convert spans from the American Revolutionary War (1775) through the French Revolution and Terror period to contemporary Paris and London. Marcus's transformation occurs on Revolutionary War battlefields where he serves as a surgeon, witnessing the brutal realities of war and smallpox epidemics. The narrative later explores Marcus's experiences in France during the radical political upheaval of the French Revolution, including encounters with figures like Thomas Paine and Jean-Paul Marat. Deborah Harkness's expertise as a historian brings authenticity to these pivotal historical moments.

Marcus MacNeil is Matthew de Clermont's vampire son, originally a Puritan surgeon from Massachusetts who was transformed during the American Revolution. His character embodies beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood that clash with ancient vampire traditions. Phoebe Taylor is a young Sotheby's employee who falls in love with Marcus in contemporary times. She chooses vampire transformation to spend eternity with Marcus, undergoing a ninety-day conversion process guided by the wise vampire Miriam. Their parallel transformation stories form the novel's emotional core.

Time's Convert examines the power of tradition versus the possibilities for revolutionary change through vampire transformation. The novel explores identity formation, agency, and finding meaning in unbounded immortal life. Central themes include breaking generational cycles of trauma, as Marcus confronts his difficult past with Matthew and chooses healing over repetition. The book investigates political ideals of liberty and equality against hierarchical vampire society, while exploring how love transcends time and trauma when built on mutual respect and shared agency.

Time's Convert concludes with Phoebe and Marcus returning to Marcus's childhood home in Hadley, Massachusetts, representing a symbolic homecoming and acceptance of his past. The house, preserved by Matthew, becomes a physical manifestation of healing where they choose to embrace memories rather than flee them. The ending emphasizes breaking negative generational cycles, with Marcus forging a different path than his maker. The repeated motif "Evermore" in their shared bloodsong signifies conscious choice—not just eternal life, but actively embracing their future together with agency and love.

Time's Convert can technically be read as a standalone novel, but the experience is significantly enhanced by reading the All Souls trilogy first. The book references events, characters, and relationships established in A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life. Readers familiar with the trilogy will better appreciate Marcus's backstory, understand the de Clermont family dynamics, and recognize the significance of Diana and Matthew's roles. Without prior knowledge, readers may miss crucial context about vampire society, blood rage, and the broader supernatural world Deborah Harkness has built.

Time's Convert provides extensive detail on the intricate social structures and traditions governing vampire society, particularly within the de Clermont family. The novel illustrates strict rules about vampire creation, mating, and inter-species relations, emphasizing the "hidden hand" of powerful elders like Philippe and Baldwin. Marcus's transformation reveals the complex requirements and responsibilities new vampires must accept, which conflict with his democratic American ideals. The ninety-day separation ritual that Phoebe undergoes demonstrates the formalized, controlled nature of modern vampire conversion compared to Marcus's chaotic 18th-century experience.