The Black bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness is a new book in the All Souls series. Diana and Matthew navigate new magical challenges as they reconnect with lost family and face the Congregation’s demands which we’ll see further. If you like to read such great fantasy novel you can checkout our latest Reckless by Lauren Roberts.
About the Author:
Deborah Harkness is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author who is famous for her magical realism books among which some of the most liked books are A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of NIght.
Synopsis of The Black Bird Oracle ALL soul #5
The scene takes place four years after “Time’s Convert.” Diana and Matthew live in Connecticut with their twins, Rebecca and Philip. They plan a summer holiday in England. Their plans change when the Congregation says their children must have their magic tested. This news brings back bad memories for Diana. She also gets a letter from a great-aunt she didn’t know about. The letter asks her to come home to the family farm, Ravenswood, in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Worried and curious, Diana and Matthew go to see Gwyneth, her great-aunt. At Ravenswood, Diana gets to know about a higher level magic that is part of her family’s heritage which is scary for her. At the same time, Gwyneth shows Diana the family’s history and their magical roots. The Proctor family has deep ties to the Salem witch trials, and Diana’s ancestors were part of this history.
Diana finds old bottles filled with family memories. These memories are captured through higher magic. She learns that the Congregation has kept many such memories to control powerful witches. This forces Diana to face the dark magic within her and the Congregation’s control over her family.
Diana is in the dilemma if she should embrace this dark magic to protect her family and also if her children should learn about higher magic. This choice could put them at risk from the Congregation and their own dark sides. During her time at Ravenswood, Diana also reconnects with her Proctor relatives and she learns about their unique magical practices.
They use geometry in their magic, mixing science and magic. Diana also get idea about differencess between Proctor ghosts and Bishop ghosts. Proctor ghosts need rest and recharge, unlike Bishop ghosts. The story is full of history and magic.Diana’s journey is about more than just magic. It’s also about family, identity, and accepting herself. She builds new relationships and learns more about her past.
Matthew, Ysabeau, and the twins, Rebecca and Philip, are important in the story. The twins are lively and independent. They are not shown as typical twins who are always together. Ysabeau’s sharp wit adds fun to the story. Diana grows a lot as a character in “The Blackbird Oracle.” She learns to balance being a mother, an academic, and a powerful witch.
Also Read: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness Book Review
If you love fantasy, romance, magic, and suspense, this All Souls series by Deborah Harkness is for you. This series mixes all these elements into a gripping story. Owning both the hardcover and audiobook versions shows how much these books mean to fans. If you’re new to the series, better to start from the the first book. However, “The Blackbird Oracle” is a good entry point too. Harkness reintroduces the characters and their world well.
If you are listening to audiobook, Jennifer Ikeda‘s narration brings the All Souls series to life. Her voice makes the audiobooks feel like a radio play. She conveys the emotions and distinct voices of the characters so well, adding to the series’ charm.
As discussed earlier that Diana character has grown a bit in this book wheres some of the fans are disappointed to see Diana and Matthew’s character development in The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness.
After their interesting journey in the first three books, fans expected their relationship to stay strong. The reintroduction of mistrust and Diana withholding information feels like a step back. It undermines the progress they made in understanding and accepting each other’s full natures.
Diana’s apparent abandonment of her magical growth for seven years is a bit. After her hardcore journey to accept and embrace her magic, it would have been amazing to see developing her abilities. This break in her magical practice seems out of character. Embracing her power was integral to her identity and growth. The book hints at more adventures and conflicts in the future.
Harkness is great at weaving history into her story. She creates a rich backdrop that makes the magical elements feel real. The historical minute points and world-building continue to attract the attention and add depth to the story.
“The Blackbird Oracle” has its ups and downs. The story’s starting, historical details, and character interactions hold great appeal to the readers. But there are parts that fall short of expectations. There is so much potential for Diana and Matthew’s journey. Harkness can continue to captivate readers with the enchanting world of the All Souls series.
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Kinda good book but not the best!.
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Quotes from The Black Bird Oracle
“History, prophecy, and magic are all parts of the same story.”
“Embrace the darkness within you to protect what you love.”
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