Deborah Harkness Books in Order
If you are like me, you have been reading A Discovery of Witches book series since it was published in 2011. Since then I have been reading all of the Deborah Harkness Books in order as soon as I can get my hands on them.
When the All Souls Series was first published, it was published as a trilogy (A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life). When the fourth book, Time’s Convert, came out in 2018, I read it as more of a companion book, rather than as part of the series because it is technically a prequel.
I thought the series was over and searched for more Books Like A Discovery of Witches. I made a list of my favorite books and was so happy to discover The Black Bird Oracle. While I cannot find information about how many more books will be in this series, I can tell you that after reading this book, the series is definitely not over!
Deborah Harkness Books: Pre A Discovery of Witches Series
- John Dees Conversations with Angels: Cabala, Alchemy, and the End of Nature (1999)
- The Jewel House: Elizabethian London and the Scientific Revolution (2007)
Deborah Harkness Books in Order: All Souls Series
- A Discovery of Witches (2011)
- Shadow of Night (2012)
- The Book of Life (2014)
- Time’s Convent (2018)
- The World of All Souls: A Complete Guide to A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night & The Book of Life (2018)
- Black Bird Oracle (2024)
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All Souls Series Book Reviews
A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2011
Genre: Fantasy
More info: All Souls Trilogy #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Diana Bishop is in Oxford’s Bodleian Library when she accidentally recovers an ancient book, Ashmole 782, that has been missing for hundreds of years. In doing so, she triggers her long-forgotten magic and opens the door for vampires, witches, and demons to search out Diana and the book.
Matthew de Clermont is one of the vampires drawn to Ashmole 782. He has been looking for it for hundreds of years. Soon it is clear that even though relationships between species is forbidden, Matthew is drawn to Diana for more than just the book. The two begin to work together to unravel the mysteries behind the book, the magic and the people looking for the book.
This urban fantasy book about secret societies, witches, vampires, and more is a blend of heart-pounding action, historical fiction, and romance with the perfect mix of fantasy as well.
Trigger Warnings
Blood, torture
Why Jackie loves it
If you love the witch aspect of Harry Potter, Vampires, fantasy books, or time travel books then you will love The All Souls trilogy. This adult fantasy novel explores the history of witches, demons, and vampires. This series reads like a historical fiction and I love it. I thought the series was done at book four and was so excited to learn that there is a new book in the series!
Find this book in: Books Like A Discovery of Witches / Best Fantasy Books for Adults / Books About Witches / Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Books About Libraries / Adult Fantasy Romance Books
Shadow of Night
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2012
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: All Souls Series 2
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In this second book in the series, Diana and Matthew must travel back in time to Elizabethan England to hide from those who seek to kill her and find a witch who can tutor her in magic.
Matthew’s past is now a very real threat as the two continue to find a way to find Ashmole 782 for a second time. This book is filled with time travel, witches, and vampires and gives an amazing peek into Elizabethan England.
Why Jackie loves it
It is so obvious when reading this book that Deborah Harkness has a PhD in the history and magic and science in Europe. I found the history in this second installment of the All Souls Series fascinating and despite the length of the book (nearly 600 pages), I breezed through.
Find this book in: Deborah Harkness Books
The Book of Life
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2014
Genre: Fantasy
More info: All Souls Trilogy 3
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Diana and Matthew have returned to the present to face their enemies. The search for the missing Ashmole 782 is even more important as is finding the missing pages.
Diana and Matthew must rely on friends, family, modern science, and ancient knowledge to save themselves and all the creatures.
Why Jackie loves it
This book was the perfect end to the All Souls Trilogy and although I wondered what would happen next (as is the case in all great series) I was satisfied with how to the series ended and where Diana and Matthew were in their relationship. A Discovery of Witches book series is so historically accurate that I would recommend the series to those who are new to fantasy and fantasy lovers as well.
Find this book in: Deborah Harkness Books
Time’s Convert: A Novel
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2018
Genre: Fantasy
More info: All Souls Series Book 4 (Prequel to A Discovery of Witches)
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This book is the story of Marcus Macneal, a surgeon on the battlefields of the American Revolution. It is a prequel to A Discovery of Witches. When Matthew de Clermont offers him a chance to become immortal, he takes it.
Now, in the present, Marcus has fallen in love with a human named Phoebe. We follow her on her journey to immortality. Marcus must battle his past if he wants to make a future for himself. This is a slow-burning romance that will leave you wanting more.
I want to note that this book is a prequel to A Discovery of Witches but the fourth book published in the series. I think that this book should be read in publication order- as the fourth book. I would not recommend reading this book first because the characters will be unfamiliar and the book will not have as much meaning.
Why Jackie loves it
I grew to love Marcus in the All Souls Trilogy Books and was very excited when the trilogy became a series! I wanted to know about Marcus, his life, and his decision to become immortal along with the blood rage that plagues the De Clermont family
Find this book in: Deborah Harkness Books
The Black Bird Oracle
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2024
Genre: Fantasy
More info: All Souls Series Book 5
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
New York Times Bestselling Author, Deborah Harkness has brought us back to the world of A Discovery of Witches. Matthew and Diana’s twins are 7 years old and receive a letter that states the Congregation will assess their magical abilities. When Diana receives a letter from Gwyneth Proctor, a great-aunt, she knows she must return to Ravenwood. She has so many questions about the family she never knew existed.
Once she arrives, Diana realizes that there is more to her magic than she ever knew. She must learn to embrace her magic, including the dark and powerful magic that is in her Proctor blood.
This continuation of the All Souls trilogy is not the end of the series, rather is seems like the beginning of a new trilogy of books. It delves deeper into Diana’s past and the secrets buried there. Diana and Matthew will have to be stronger than ever to survive what the future has in store for them.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved the All Souls Trilogy and feel like this is the perfect book to bring us back into that world. We learn much more about Diana, her past, and her magic. I would not recommend reading this book if you have not read the first three in the series because you will not understand the characters or the plot. Like all Deborah Harkness books, this one is rich in details and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Find this book in: Deborah Harkness Books
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashmole 782 a real book?
No. Ashmole 782 is not a real book but Deborah Harkness is such a gifted writer and historian that the book seems like it is something that would befound within the Bodleian Library.
What is the Order of Deborah Harkness Books?
There are now 5 books in the All Souls series. The books should be read in order of publication even though the fourth book is a prequel. The correct reading order of the series is:
1. A Discovery of Witches
2. Shadow of Night
3. The Book of Life
4. Time’s Convent
5. Black Bird Oracle
Will there be a fifth book to A Discovery of Witches?
Yes. The fifth book in the “A Discovery of Witches series” was published in 2024 and is called The Black Bird Oracle. Expect more books in this series.
Expert Tip
Deborah Harkness is the author of the All Souls Series, also known as A Discovery of Witches book series. Deborah Harkness has a PhD in the history and magic of Science in Europe and currently teaches at the University of Southern California in LA.
- The All Souls books were initially a trilogy
- A fourth book, Time’s Convert, was published as a prequel
- The Black Bird Oracle is the fifth book in the series and takes place seven years after The Book of Life.
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Epilogue
Have you read the Deborah Harkness books from the All Souls series? Did you find them as captivating as I did? I would love to hear your thoughts!
