The Black Bird Oracle: A Novel

Paula Chavez Talley

Growing Pians for Diana and Matthew

"One of the pitfalls of book series is that the main characters grow stale. I think Deborah Harkness wanted to avoid this, and so instead of merely setting Diana and Matthew on another adventure, she gave them the choice to continue on as before, or actually evolve to the next level. And she gives them that choice right on the pages of the story, so that we can watch them wrestle with the decision. Actually, the decision is Diana’s, which is one of the main questions the book explores: does a woman have the right to chart her own course, even when a husband and children will be affected. The same question, we learn, was one that was integral to the marriage of Diana’s parents, Rebecca and Stephen. And the course Rebecca chose, to sublimate her talents and interests in deference to her husband’s wishes and her own desire to be a wife and mother, is one that has deep repercussions for Diana. Matthew does have a role here. Will he make room in his heart for the Diana his wife wants to grow into, and support her efforts to step into the realm of higher magic, or will his fear of the “Dark” and its perceived risks frighten him enough to block her path? So both Diana and Matthew are challenged to grow as people and creatures of power. Other things happen, of course, and we meet a whole new cast of characters, some delightful and some not. And we meet Diana and Matthew’s children, Pip and Becca, who are as powerful and quirky and delightful as we might expect of children of a vampire and witch. But the main story is concerned with personal growth, and how one navigates fear and danger. Now I want a deck of Black Bird Oracle cards! I think Ms. Harkness should merchandise them, I would certainly buy a pack. :-) P.S. I should add that we meet the other half of Diana’s family—her father’s clan, the Proctors. Stephen avoided them his entire life, so they are not only new to Diana, but a revelation in terms of what they bring to her (and her children’s) magical heritage. I think my favorite parts of the book are the scenes where Diana is simply sitting with them and learning new magic, and discovering how much they enrich her life. ["

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August 31, 2024 Verified Purchase

Meg

Was like opening the door to a magical secret garden

"Harkness has achieved the unlikely in this fifth book in the discovery of witches series: a book as good as the first one that opens up a whole new world of character development. Many series start to pall after the third or fourth installment, but this was a tour de force that leaves us begging for more. The story was visceral, magical and evocative. I know I will reread and eagerly await the next installment. Brava Professor Harkness. I haven't felt like this since Harry went to Hogwarts. The depth of the Proctor home at Ravenwood was profound and practically tangible. I can smell it. Spoilers My only complaint is the dubious right the congregation has to reign over creatures who never agreed to it. It's so egregious it feels like a plot hole. There's no voting, no seeming rhyme or reason of who gets on the witches congregation. Why wasn't Satu permanently expelled from the congregation after an attack on Diana? What laws are the witches required to follow? Each coven appears to be a self governing body but it makes no sense that a single body in a different country could have any authority over creatures around the world, especially when governing without the consent of the governed. 3 representatives also seems like an arbitrarily small number given the complexity of the witches rooms on the island. Where are the staff? I hope some of this is solved in the next book. It's the only thing that really marred my enjoyment. loved the ghosts! ["

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August 1, 2024 Verified Purchase

J. Morris

Left me wanting more :-/

"I had very mixed impressions of this book, the latest in the All Souls stories. I have loved the story of Diana & Matthew, the creatures & the world they inhabit since I read the 1st book. I had toast & think why this one left me feeling unsatisfied. What I have always loved about the series: 1. Deborah Harkness' beautiful, evocative prose. 2.Diana & Matthew's relationship. I've loved the mature, grounded relationship they've experienced, one of the striking features being their mutual respect. 3. The world of witches, vampires & a very innovative take on demons. Such a rich variety of characters. 4. The background of the Congregation& initially the Covenant. 5. The deep dive into both literature and& history. Because of these stories I've been driven to pick up different texts on Washington, Lafayette; I already had bookshelves full of Tudor history. This book. 1a. Still has Deborah's beautiful prose. She's got a gift. 2 &3 a.Diana & Matthew. This book seems ALL about Diana. Diana & one branch of witches. Matthew is almost an afterthought, almost an impediment, despite him continuing to give her support & respect. Their relationship feels stunted somehow. Everyone else we've come to know & love is either MIA, mentioned 1x or seen with a fleeting glance, with the exception of a few select folks. One of the characters seems to have a complete personality change. The whole witch thing seemed to goon for ever. 4a. There's a small involvement of the Congregation. Definitely a cliffhanger involved. I don't know. I finished the book ~1 week ago, been chewing on this habit. Any of the others I'd give5 stars, no question. This book was like having cotton candy, when you're used to a filling meal. It just left me wanting more. PS. If you're following the story, you still need to read the story, cuz there's more coming but it wasn't the 'out of the park' I'd come to expect. PPS. Please forgive me, Deborah. I still LOVE your work. ["

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May 13, 2025 Verified Purchase

Anita Lynch

Wonderful read!

"Love this book! Continuing story of Discovery of witches. ["

April 3, 2026 Verified Purchase