The Black Bird Oracle

All Souls, Book 5

By: Deborah Harkness

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

'Haunting in every way. A story thick with family secrets, human heartache, and the kind of deep magic only Harkness can conjure. You will be enchanted' LEIGH BARDUGO

'The Black Bird Oracle 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' JODI PICOULT

Diana Bishop journeys to the darkest places within herself - and her family history - in the highly anticipated fifth novel of the beloved Number One Sunday Times bestselling All Souls series.

The first shadows fall on a Friday afternoon when a single, dying raven lands on the pavement in front of Diana Bishop, harbinger of an invitation that reads, 'It's time you came home, Diana'.

Diana is a witch and scholar; her husband Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. Their intense love for one another awoke the dark powers within her and dissolved the Covenant between the three species - Witch, Daemon and Vampire - that live alongside humans. Now, the governing Congregation has decided it must test the magical powers of their seven-year-old twins, Pip and Becca. Concerned with their safety, Diana decides to forge a different path for her family's future and travels to Ravenswood, the Proctor family home.

There, Diana begins a new era, becoming her great aunt Gwyneth's pupil in higher magic. It's time to confront her family's past - and her own, inescapable desire for greater power.

Number One bestselling author Deborah Harkness returns to her beloved All Souls world with a triumphant novel that sweeps back to the Salem Panic and illuminates Diana's family history in new and thrilling ways.©2024 Deborah Harkness (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Waiting to see where the next story would go

Dislike it took a bit of time to get into the story - I think chapter 9 where I started to think this story is now starting but for those new to the series I guess they would need to read
Finished on a high like the others in series leaving you wanting more of the story
Roll on next book

Book 4 - satisfying and … not

Harness is an amazing historical author and weaver of tales and characters no doubt. Book 4 has primary school children, a toned down couple, and a conundrum again. Some elements are missing their initial charm and exotic flare, though. 3 books make a trifecta. I wonder if setting up for another 2-3 part series will weaken the original 3 ? They packed a punch! This addition is nice… nostalgic, even. But it does not give the same excitement or stab to heart. Book 4 is good. But not great.