The Black Bird Oracle

A Novel

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Diana Bishop journeys to the darkest places within herself—and her family history—in the highly anticipated fifth novel of the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling All Souls series.

“The Black Bird Oracle deftly explores the nexus of memory, history, and parenthood—the magic, pain, and promises mothers pass onto their children.”—Jodi Picoult

Deborah Harkness first introduced the world to Diana Bishop, an Oxford scholar and witch, and vampire geneticist Matthew de Clermont in A Discovery of Witches. Drawn to each other despite long-standing taboos, these two otherworldly beings found themselves at the center of a battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782. Since then, they have fallen in love, traveled to Elizabethan England, dissolved the Covenant between the three species, and awoken the dark powers within Diana’s family line.

Now, Diana and Matthew receive a formal demand from the Congregation: They must test the magic of their seven-year-old twins, Pip and Rebecca. Concerned with their safety and desperate to avoid the same fate that led her parents to spellbind her, Diana decides to forge a different path for her family’s future and answers a message from a great-aunt she never knew existed, Gwyneth Proctor, whose invitation simply reads: It’s time you came home, Diana.

On the hallowed ground of Ravenswood, the Proctor family home, and under the tutelage of Gwyneth, a talented witch grounded in higher magic, a new era begins for Diana: a confrontation with her family’s dark past and a reckoning for her own desire for even greater power—if she can let go, finally, of her fear of wielding it.

In this stunning new novel, grand in scope, Deborah Harkness deepens the beloved world of All Souls with powerful new magic and long-hidden secrets, and the path Diana finds at Ravenswood leads to the most consequential moments yet in this cherished series.

* This audiobook edition comes with a downloadable PDF including a family tree.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Deborah Harkness (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The Black Bird Oracle ushers in a thrilling new era for Diana, an Oxford scholar and powerful witch, as she navigates marriage to the vampire Matthew and motherhood, while reckoning with dark secrets from her family’s storied past. There’s no better time to get swept up in the romance, adventure, and magic of the All Souls world, beginning with A Discovery of Witches.”—Bustle

“Excitement is high as the release date for The Black Bird Oracle approaches. . . . It’s a chapter of Diana’s story that longtime fans won’t want to miss.”—Screenrant, 15 Most Anticipated Fantasy Books Coming Out the Rest of 2024

“The Black Bird Oracle was well worth the wait: Not only does it reunite us with the powerful love story of Diana and Matthew, it deftly explores the nexus of memory, history, and parenthood—the magic, pain, and promises mothers pass onto their children. Harkness’s lush prose makes a fantastical world real enough to touch; her characters are so real they feel like family.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult

So happy Jennifer Ikeda is back as the narrator

I so wanted to like this more than I did. I absolutely loved the All Souls Trilogy. This just doesn’t hold a candle. There are some gaps in the story, puzzling gaps. There are other things that just seem out of character for Diana. And Matthew disappears in the background. But Jennifer helps it to at least be digestible as a book.

Jennifer Ikeda does it again!

I love that they brought back Jennifer Ikeda for the audio version again. Her characters were familiar and comforting. I loved the story, and the fact that the ending makes it seem like there will be more to come! 🤞🏻I did have to rewind and relisten a few times, and I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t read it in print first, so the subject matter sometimes felt a little heavy for audio and I lost focus. I plan on reading it in print as well. I think this is a “me” issue, so I don’t hold it against the book. It was great to discover new people, and new sides of Diana. I loved hearing about the kids and their journeys. One thing I felt like was a bit of a disconnect was the treatment of Diana being a weaver. By the end of the last book, I saw Diana as coming into this amazing power and in this book, I felt like it was kind of swept under the rug. I know that she was becoming a student again, but I just felt like maybe it would have been acknowledged more. Idk if I’m explaining that correctly. Overall, loved it! And I’m looking forward to more!!!!

So must it be

Another lush adventure in the All Souls Series. It always surprises me how much I miss these characters until I pick up one of these books and with Harkness’ enveloping and homey writing style it always feels like no time has passed since I last finished an All Souls book.

Diana must embrace her fears and qualm her preconceived notions in this addition to the All Souls Series. Blessed and burdened with the Black Bird Oracle, Diana must explore the shadow inside her and trust in the Goddess’ plan. The teacher becomes the student once more as she finds a new instructor after the guidance from Goodie Alsop from past tales and times.

Will Diana be able to embrace Higher Magic? Or will the Dark Path swallow her whole. A tale you’ll be glad to read and listen to.

what a plot twist

turned this universe on its ear. looking forward to seeing where it goes. Can't give details because you need to ride this Rollercoaster. enjoy the ride.

A chapter for Diana Bishop

This book opened up many questions about the future of Diana and her children. The Proctors were fascinating, and there was so much more magic to learn. There are sure to be more books coming our way, but we can only hope we don’t have to live on the edge of the cliff for too long before another story takes flight.

Love the Focus on Magic

I did enjoy the focus on magic in this installment, for sure. The historical elements were also interesting. I would still buy the book because I love this series and know there is more to come, but this one felt a little hurried - if that's the word - like I'm still not sure what "higher magic" is versus regular magic and we were not privy to any of her training sessions!? I think a little more of the memories or some time walking for her training would have helped things go deeper.

I love the all souls series

* review may contain some spoilers*

I have loved these books since the first read-through. I know I was so excited to learn more about the twins and their powers, but I was not disappointed learning what the bright-born children had to offer.

Finally discovering more about the Proctor family was a great way to advance the story. Hearing Diana accept her magic is a step I wanted in the first three books in the series. I know the fear is a big part of her personality, but I can't wait for her to fully accept her magic and become who she's meant to me. She took some great steps towards that in this book, and I can see she has a lot more to come in future books.

Gallowglass… needs his book… I need him to find his happiness and let me binge every second of it. He was mentioned in small snippets and I need more.

Jennifer is a wonderful narrator, I am glad I purchased the physical and audio versions of this book.

All in all - great book - I need more - that ending leaves so much to your imagination

Wow it goes very left!

Spoiler.

I was very shocked and enamored with our favorite family and friends. To follow Diana as she meets the Procters and she learns about her other side was amazing. Much like the first book Deborah leaves You anticipating a very unknown future. Great to see the Twins and Matthew love and evolve as Diana faces her challenges.

Man… Aunt Sarah is out of line ! To see such a different side of her and learn a lot about how she has held back so much from everyone was so real yet sad.

Loved the book, the author, and the whole All Souls collection.

A Craveable Story

From the beginning to the end, I did not want to stop listening to this story. I love the way Harkness paints pictures through her texts so that you can visualize every little piece. I missed these characters and am so excited for the set up of the new chapter in Diana and Matthew’s life.

Another great adventure with Diana and Mathew

I’m hoping a deck of oracle card comes out quick and the release date of the next chapter in the All Soul’s series.